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HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS 



STATE OF NEW YORK; 



CONTAINING 



A GENERAL COLLECTION OF THE MOST INTERESTING FACTS, TRADITIONS, 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, ANECDOTES, &c. 



RELATING TO ITS 



HISTORY AND ANTICIUITIES, 

WITH 

GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTIONS OF EVERY TOWNSHIP IN THE STATE. 

Illustrated by 230 ringTaving:s. 



BY JOHN W. BARBER, 

lUTHOR OF CONNECTICUT, AND MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS 
AND 

HENRY HOWE, 

AUTHOR OF "THE MEMOIRS OF EMINENT AMERICAN MECHANICS," KTG. 




[More elevated.] 



NEW YORK: 

PUBLISHED FOR THE AUTHORS, 
BY S. TUTTLE, 194 CHATHAM-SQUARE. 

PRICE, THREE DOLLARS 

1842. 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1841, 

By John W. Barber and Henry Howe, 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Connecticut. 



HITCHCOCK & STAFFORD, Priuien 



Fvv 






PREFACE. 



The design of this volume is to give an account of the most im- 
portant and interesting events relating to the history of the state of 
New York, from its settlement to the present time, with geographical 
descriptions, illustrated by numerous engravings. In collecting the 
materials and preparing them for publication, the compilers of this 
work have unitedly spent more than two years of close and laborious 
application. We have visited every part of the state, and besides 
travelling thousands of miles in the public conveyances, we have 
journeyed many hundreds on foot. 

Although feeling conscious that we have used all the efforts, and 
taken every precaution which could be reasonably expected, in order 
to have this work accurate in every respect, yet we do not claim an 
entire exemption from those imperfections ever attendant on works 
of this kind. A degree of diffidence is felt, when it is considered 
who are to be the readers. Travellers in giving accounts of foreign 
countries, may make statements at random, which may pass for truth, 
when there is no one at hand able to correct their errors. This vol- 
ume will come before many persons, who, on some subjects intro- 
duced, have better means of information, and possess more know- 
ledge than the compilers. A certain writer defines history to be 
merely " an approximation towards truth." Although this humilia- 
ting statement will not be allowed to its full extent, yet when the im- 
perfection of every thing human is considered, it must be confessed 
to have some foundation in truth. 

In the prosecution of this work, we have availed ourselves of the 
labors of those who have preceded us. The historian, of necessity, 
derives his information from others. It will be observed, that quota- 
tions have been made from a great variety of publications ; in most 
instances of which, credit has been given. As a general rule, we 
have preferred to have each account appear as it was originally 
given to the public, in the author's own words, from which the reader 
can draw his own inferences. Truth ought always to be preferred 
before elegance of language. In the geographical department much 
information has been derived from Spaflord's and Gordon's Gazet- 



PREFACE. 



teers, and the state maps, published at Ithaca by Messrs. Stone 
& Clark. SpafTord may be considered as the pioneer in furnishing 
geographical descriptions of the state : his first gazetteer was pub- 
lished in 1813, the second in 1824. The gazetteer by Mr. Gordon, 
consisting of 800 closely printed octavo pages, containing a map 
of the state, and one of each county, was published in 1836, and 
is by far the most complete and valuable work of the kind relating 
to New York, which has as yet been issued. To this able work, 
we would refer our readers for a full statistical and geographical 
account of the various places in the state. It not only contains 
a great amount of statistical inlbrmation, but also the political history 
of the state, abstracts of its laws, and other valuable information. 
It is a volume which ought to be placed in every public library in 
the state. 

The numerous engravings interspersed throughout this volume, 
were, with few exceptions, copied from drawings taken on the spot 
by the compilers of the work. In these engravings, our principal ob- 
ject was to give faithful representations, rather than picturesque 
views, or beautiful specimens of art. Before deciding that any of 
these representations are incorrect, we wish our readers to consider 
that the appearance of any place will be materially altered, as 
viewed from different points. In order to form an entirely correct 
judgment, it will be necessary to stand on the spot from whence the 
drawing was taken. 



COUNTIES, TOWNSHIPS, VILLAGES. 



Acra, 183 
Acrnn, 153 
AcquaboRue, 540 
Adams, 2 )0 
Adatiis Ba^in, 265 
Adainsport, 531 
Adiimsville, 572 
Addison, 528 
Alabama, 175 
Alliinii, 431 
Ald-ii, 143 
Albany, 44 
Albany County, 44 
AllVrd, 56 
Albion, 431, 429 
Alexandria, 158, 201 
All n, 56 
AU'xand'jr, 175 
Almond, 58 

Allegany County, 56 
Allejianv City, 82 
Allen's "Hill, 409 
Alloway, 579 
Amajaiiset, 536 
Amber, 392 
Am boy, 383, 431 
Amenia, 133 
Ainberst, 143 
Amiiy, 56, 428 
Amsleidam, 272 
Ancranr 114 
Andes, 126 
Andover, 57, 375 
Angelica, 57 
Annsville, 360 
Antwerp, 2iJl 
Appling, 201 
Apulia, 384 
Arcniie, 603 
Arcadia, 573 
Argyle, 567 
Aiietla, 191 
Arkport, 531 
Arkwright, 87 
Asliford, 82 
Ashville, 90 
Astoria, 451 
Athens, 181 
Athol, 582 
Attica, 602 
Attlebury, 142 
Auburn, 74 
Augusta, 360 
Aurelins, 79 
Auriesville, 278 
Aurora, 143 
Austcrlitz, 114 
Au Sable, 106 
Avoca, 528 
Avon, 242 

Babylon, 539 
Bainbrid.'re, 99 
Barki-r's Mills, 4P8 
Baker's Rridue, 56 
Bakersville, 113 
Baldvvinsville, 384 
Ballston. 491 
Ballston Spa, 492 
Bangor, 163 
Barcelona, 93 
Barbersville, 132 
Baremarket, 142 



Barker, 66 
Barre, 429 
Barrington, 605 
Barrvlown, 140 
Barton, 549 
15aia\ ia, 175 
Batcsiown, 4')8 
Bail), 464, 528 
Bailil)ouse,237 
Baitcnviile, 572 
Bayl.;y!owM, 525 
Bearyt-ville, 525 
Braverdam, 543 
Bedford, 584 
Beeknian, 106, J33 
Belfast, 57 
Bell Port, 5,35 
Belleisle, 383 
Belleville, 202, 428 
Bt'lmoiit, 103 
Eenne/s Flats, 531 
Bennet Settlement, 179 
BeiininL'ton, 602 
B.nton, 605 
Bergen, 178 
Berkshire, 549 
Berlin, 484 
Berne, 50 
Bi'lhany, 179 
Betliil, .547 
BethI "hem, 50 
Betis' Corners, 384 
Big Flats, 94 
Binghaniton, 66 
Birdsall, 59 
Black Brook, 106 
Black Rock, 143 
Bleeker, 167 
Blenheim, .516 
Bloomiiigsburg, 547 
Blooming Grove, 411 
Bloomville, 130 
Blossomsville, 263 
Bliif}" Point, 605 
Bolivar, .53 
Bolton, 562 
Boiribav, 163 
Bi.onville, 360 
Borodino, 403 
Boston, 143 
Bouckville, 260 
Bovina, 120 
Boylston, 431 
Bradford, .530 
Branchport, 605 
Branch, 541 
Brandon, 164 
Brasher, 483 
Brant, 152 
Breakahern, 51% 
Bridcehamp'on, 543 
Bridce|Port, 260 
Bridgewater, 360 
Biigbton 21)3,447 
Bristol, 404, .501 
Broarialbin, 167 
Brock port, 271 
Bmoktteld, 255 
Brookhaven, .533 
Brooklyn. 219 
Broome County, 66 
Broome, 516 
Bronx, 587 



Brownville, 201, 408 
Brunswick, 464 
Brutus, 80 
Buffalo, 147 
Bullville, 417 
Burdette, 552 
Burlinghani, 547 
Burlington, 440 
Burns, 59 

Bushnell's Basin, 266 
Bushwick, 233 
Burton, 82 

Buskirk's Bridge, 567 
Busti,87 
Butler, 578 
Butternuts, 440 
Byersville, 251 
Byron, 179 
Byrnville, 518 

Carkemver's Mills, 135 
Cadi/., 85 
Cadysville, 59 
Cairo, 183 
Cahoes, 54 
Caldwell, 562 
Caledonia, 244 
Cambridge, 567 
Caniillus, 383 
Campbell, 530 
Cambria, 348 
Camden, 361 
Cameron, 530 
Canaan, 114 
Canaderaga, 447 
Canajoliarie, 274 
Canandaigua, 404 
Canadice, 404 
Canaseraga, 260 
Canastota, 260 
Candor, 549 
Canejidea, 59 
Canisieo, 530 
Canning, 365 
Cannonsville, 132 
Caiioga, 525 
Canterbury. 411 
Canton, 403, 483 
Cape Vincent, 212 
Cardiff, 384 
Carlton, 430 
Caroline, 552 
(^areysville, 179 
Carlisle, 516 
Camiel, 448 
Carrol, 88 
Carr's Corners, 152 
Carter, 242 
Caton, 530 
Carthage, 135 
Casadaga, 92 
Casety Hollow, 360 
Castile, 602 
Casflelon, 474 
Cattarauous County, 82 
Calherine,s, 94 
Cailln, 95 
Cato, 80 
CatskiU, 183 
<-'auglinawaga, 280 
Cavioa County, 74 
Cayuga, 79 
Cayuta, 95 



Cazenovia, 255 
Cedarville, 196 
Centre Port, 540 
Centreville, 59, 80, 92, 114, 

5:« 

Chamberlain, 85 
Champion, 2^1 
Chauiplain, 106 
Chapiiisville, 408 
Cliarlotie, 88 
Charlotteville, 524 
Charleston, 278 
Charlton, 491 
Chaumont, 212 
Chateaugua, 164 
Chaiham, 114 
CnATAuyuE County, 87 
Cha.auqne, 88 
Cha/y, 106 
Cheikiowaga, 152 
Chelsea, 475 
Chemung, 05 
Chemung County, 94 
Chenango, 66 
Chenango County, 99 
Chenaniio Forks, C6 
Cherry Valley, 440 
Cherry Creek, 88 
Chester, 417, 565 
Chesterfi( Id, 155 
Chili, 263 
China, 603 
Chittenango, 260 
Chittenden Falls, 122 
CImrchiown, 114 
Churchville, 266, 484 
Cinciimatus, 123 
Cicero, 383 
Clarence, 152 
Clarendon, 430 
Clarke's Settlement, 73 
Clarkson. 263 
Clarkstown, 476 
Clarkesville, 59, 255, 79 
Clavorack, 114 
Clay, 383 
Clayton, 201 
Clear Creek, 89 
Cloavelnnd, 431 
Clermont, 115 
Clifton Park, 491 
Clinton County, 105 
Clinton, 133 

Clintonville, 106, 133, 453 
riockville, 260 
Clyde, 578 
Clymer, 89 
Cobleskill, 516 
Cochecton, 547 
Coeyman'p, 50 
Concord, 1.53 
Colrhe.ster, 126 
Coldon, 1.52 
Coles' Mills, 449 
Colesville, 72 
Cold Spring, 83, 449, 463 
Collierville, 444 
Collins, 1,52 
Colliiisvi'le, 242 
Colosse. 432 
Columbia, 192 
Columbia County, 113 
Columbiaville, 122, 485 



COUNTIES, TOWNSHIPS, VILLAGES. 



Columbus, 100 
Conesville, 518 
Cnnesus, 244 
Coney Island, 237 
Cnr.licicton, 530 
Conklin, 72 
Connewango, 84 
Conquest, 80 
Constable, 165 
Coiistableville, 242 
Constanlia, 431 
Coonsville, 408 
Copake, 116 
Cooperstown, 445 
Cnpenhajren, 239 
Corbeau, 10« 
Corfu, 180 
Corinth, 492 
Cornwall, 411 
CornwaHsville, 188 
Cnruiii, 534 
Cortlaiidt, 585 
Cortlandt County, 123 
Cortlandtville, 123 
Coventry, 100 
Covert, 525 
Covington, 603 
Cowlesville, 602 
Coxsackie, 188 
Craifrsville, 411 
Crawford, 417 
Crolon, 585 
Crown Point, 156 
Cuba, 59 

Cuddebackville, 417 
Currytowii, 283 
Cutchogue, 545 

Danby, 552 
Danube, 102 
Dansville, 249, 530 
Darien, 179 
Dashville, 559 
Davenport, 126 
Day, 492 
Dayanville, 242 
Dayton, 84 
Deansville, 365 
Decatur, 444 
Deerfield, 361 
Deer Park, 417 
Defriestville, 464 
De Kalb, 484 
Delavan, 87 

Delawarb County, 125 
Delanli, 92 
Delhi, 126 
Delphi, 392 
Denmark, 239 
Depauville, 20i^ 484 
Depeyster, 484 
Deposit, 132 
De Ruyter, 256 
Dewit, 383 
Dexter, 201 
Dexterville, 89 
Diana, 239 
Dickenson, 165 
Dix, 95 

Dobb's Ferry, 587 
Dover, 133 
Dora, 72 

Dresden, 567, 605 
Dryden, 552 
Duane, 165 
Duanesburg, 507 
Dublin, 525 
Dundee, 608 
Dunkirk, 91 
Durham, 188 
Djirhainville, 375 
DtrrcHEss County, 132 

Eagle, 60 



Eagle Harbor, 430 
East Bloonilield, 408 
I'ast Chester, 587 
East Hampton, 535 
Easton, 568 
Eaton, 256 
Eddysville, 557 
Edenville, 428 
Eden, 153 
Edinburg, 492 
Ednieston, 444 
Edwaids, 484 
Elba, 179 
Elbridge,383 
Ellenburg, 106 
Ellenville, 560 
Eliery, 89 
Ellicott, 89 
Ellicottville, 85 
Ellington, 89 
Ellisburg, 202 
Elmira, 95 
Elizabethtown, 156 
Elmore's Corners, 550 
Enlicid, 552 
Ephrata, 167 
Erie County, 142 
Erieville, 2G0 
Erwin, 530 
Erin, 99 
Esopus, 556 
Esperane, 523 
Essex, 156 
Essex County, 154 
Etna, 552 
Evans, 153 
Evans' Mills, 211 
Exeter, 444 

Fabius, 384 
Factorvville, 474, 549 
Fairfield, 193 
Fairhaven, 430 
Fairport Basin, 266 
Fall Creek, 552 
Fallsburg, 547 
Farmersville, 84, 525 
Farmington, 408 
Far Rockaway, 456 
Fayetteville, 387 
Federal Store, 137 
Fenner, 258 
Felt's Mill, 212 
Finchville, 423 
Fishkill, 134 
Flanders, 543 
Flalbush, 235 
Flatlands, 235 
Fleming, 80 
Florence, 361 
Florida, 278, 428 
Floyd, 361 
Flushing, 453 
Fluvaiuia, 89 
Fonda's Bush, 167 
Forrcstburg, 547 
Forestville, 90 
Fort Ann, 568 
Fort Edward, 569 
Fort Miller, 509 
Fort Covington, 165 
Fort Hunter, 278 
Fort Plain, 279 
Foslerdale, 79 
Fowlersville, 251 
Fowler, 484 
Fraid<fort, 194 
Franklin, 127, 165 
Franklin C«untv, 162 
Franklinville, 85, 135,384 
Frankville, 105 
Fredonia, 90 
Freedom, 85 
Freedom Plains, 137 



Freehold, 18H 
Freetown, 124 
French Creek, 89, 201 
French Mills, 165 
Friendship, 60 
Fulloms Basin, 306 
Fulton, 439, 518 
Fultonville, 278 

Gaines, 430 

Gainesville, 603 

Galen, 578 

Gallatin, 116 

Gal way, 492 

Gardner's Island, 536 

Garretsville, 444 

Gasport, 359 

Gates, 263 

Gayhead, 135, 188 

Geddes, 394 

Genesee, 60 

Genesee County, 174 

Geneseo, 245 

Genoa, 80 

Geneva, 409 

Georgetown, 259 

German Flats, 194 

German, 100 

Germantown, 116 

Gerry, 89 

Ghent, 116 

Gilboa, 516 

Gilherlsvillr, 440 

Gilnian, 191 

Glen, 278 

Glenn Falls, 566 

Glencadia, 122 
Glencoe, 119 
Glenham, 135 
Glenville, 507 
Gorham, 4U8 
Goshen, 417 
Gouverneur, 484 
Grafton, 464 
Granby, 431 
Granger, 60 
Granville, 570 
Gravesend, 236 
Great Bend, 201 
Great Valley, 85 
Greece, 263 
Greenbush, 464 
Greene County, 181 
Green Haven, l.'iS 
Greene, 100 
Greenport, 545 
Greenfield, 492 
Green River, 114 
Green's Corners, 270 
Greensburg, 587 
Greenville, 188 
Greenwich, 571 
Greenwood, 531 
Greig, 239 
GreggsvillP, 251 
Griffin's Mills, 143 
Groton, 5.52 
Grove, 60 
Groveland, 246 
Grosveiior's Corners, 516 
Guilderl*id, 51 
Guilford, 101 

Hadley, 492 
Hasue, 565 
Half Moon, 492 
Hallet's Cove, 461 
Hall's Mills, 52 
Halseyville, 553 
Hamburg, 153 
Hamilton, 259 
Hamilton County, 189 
Hamniertown, 137 
Hammond's Port, 533 



Tlnmmond, 484 

Hanideii, 128 

Haiiipion, 376, 572 

Hamplonbnrg, 418 

Hague, 565 

Hancock, 128 

Hanlbrd's Landing, 264 

Hannibal, 431 

Hanover, 89 

Harlaem, 338 

Harmonv, 90 

Harpeistield, 128 

Harpersville, 72 

Harrisbmg, 239 

Hantield, 88 

Harrison, 590 

Haitlbrd, 125, 572 

Hartland, 348 

Hartsville, 142 

Hartwick, 444 

Hartville, 387 

Hastings, 431, 587 

Havana, 94 

Hebron, 572 

Haverstraw, 476 

Head of-the-river, 541 

Hebron, 572 

Hector. 552 

Helena, 483 

Hempstead, 455 

Hempstead Harbor, 462 

Henderson, 202 

HenrieUa, 264 

Herkimer County, 191 

Herkimer, 194 

Hermitage, 604 

Hermon, 484 

Hicksville, 463 

Hiah Falls, 558 

Hillsdale, 116 
Hinsdale, 85 

Hitchcock's Comers, 133 
Hobarl, 132 
HotTnian, 158 
Hogansburg, 163 
Holland, 153 
Holley, 430 
Homer, 124 
Hoosick, 466 
Hope, 191 
Hopkinton, 484 
Hopewell, 135, 408, 417 
Horicon, 565 
Hornby, 531 
Hornelsville, 531 
Hounsfield, 202 
Houseville, 242 
Howard, 531 
Hoytes, 525 
Hudson. 116 
Hughsonville, 135 
Hull's Mills, 142 
Hume, 60 
Humphrey, 85 
Hunter, 188 
Huntington, 539 
Hurley, 556 
Huron, 579 
Hyde Park, 137 

Independence, 60 
Ira, 80 

Irelandville, 532 
Irondequoit, 265 
Ishp, 5-10 
Italy, 605 
Itliaca, 552 

Jackson, 444, 572 
Jticksonburg, 444 
Jacksonville, 248, 553 
Jamaica, 458 
Jamestown, 89 
Jamesville, 3S3 



COUNTIES, TOWNSHIPS, VILLAGES. 



Jasper, 531 
Jay, 157 
Java, e03 

Jefferson, 95, 518, 532 
Jefferson County, 201 
Jerusalem, 456, 605 
Jerusalem Comers, 153 
Johnsburot, 5Gfi 
Johnstown, J 19, 167 
Johnsonville, 135, 469 
Jordan, 333 
Junius, 525 

Keene, 157 
Keesville, 155 
Kempsville, 352 
Kendall, 430 
Kennadayville, 528 
Kenni dv's Mills, 90 
Kent, 449 
Kinderhook, 118 
Kiiiderhook Landing, 122 
Kingsboro', 168 
Kingsbridge, 601 
Kingsbury, 572 
Kings County, 219 
Kingston, 556 
Kinney's Corners, 431 
Kirkland, 351 
Kirkville, 387 
Kiiowlesville, 430 
Knox, 51 
Kiioxville, 532 
Korlright, 130 
KysorviUe, 251 

Lafayette, 384 
Lafayette Corners, 137 
La Grange, 137, 603 
Lairdsville, 376 
Lake Pleasant, 191 
Lakeville, 248, 463 
Lancaster, 153 
LansinE, 553 
Liltl.-! Britain, 418 
Lansingburg, 468 
Laona, 91 
Lawyersville, 516 
Lasselsville, 167 
Viathrop's Corners, 82 
. jatintown, 559 
Laurens, 444 
Lawrence, 484 
Lebanon, 260 
Lee, 365 
Leesville, 524 
Ledyard,80 
Le Fargeville, 212 
Leicester, 246 
Lenox, 260 
Leon, 85 

Leonardsville, 255 
LeRay, 211 
Le Roy, 179, 444 
Levainia, 80 
Lewis, 157 
Lewisboro', 590 
Lewis County, 238 
Lewiston, 348 
Lexington, 189 
Leyden, 239 
Liberty, 530, 547 
Lima, 248 
Lincklaen, 101 
Lindley, 531 
Lindon, 430 
Lisbon, 484 
Lisle, 72 
Litchfield, 196 
Little Falls, 196 
Little Valley, 85 
Little Utica, 384 
Liverpool, 394 
Livingston, 119 



Livingston County, 242 
Livingstonville, 516 
Livonia, 248 
Locke, 80 
Lockport, 212, 351 
Lockville, 578 
Lodi, 5i5 
Long Island, 251 
Long Lake, 191 
Lorraine, 211 
Louisville, 484 
Lowville, 239 
Lloydsville, 447 
Linilowville, 553 
Lumberland, 547 
Luzenie, 566 
Lyme, 211 
Lyndon, 85 
Lyons, 579 
Lysander, 384 

Machias, 86 
iMacedon, 579 
Macksville, 403 
McLeansville, 552 
McDonough, 101 
McGrawsvillc, 124 
Madison, 260 
Madison county, 255 
Madrid, 484 
Maiden, 559 
Malone, 165 
Malta, 492 
Mamakatiiig, 547 
Miunanineck, 591 
Maiiliattanvillc, 338 
Mann's Valley, 516 
Mansville, 202 
Marbleborough, 558 
Marcellus, 387 
Manchester, 408 
Manheim, 198 
Manlius, 384 
Manstield, 86 
Marathon, 125 
Marbletown,558 
Marion, 580 
Marcy, 365 
Marshall. 365 
Martinsburg, 240 
Maryland, 444 
Mason's Comers, 105 
Masonville, 130 
Massena, 485 
Mattatuck, 545 
Mattawan, 134 
Matthews Mills, 387 
Matildaville, 485 
Maytield, 174 
Mayville, 88 
Meclianicsville, 142, 499 
Mecklenburg, 552 
Medina, 430 
Mendon, 2G5 
Mentz, 80 
Meredith, 130 
Mexico, 432 
Middlebury, 603 
Middleburg, 518 
Middletield, 444 
Middleport, 199, 359 
Middle Settlement, 265 
Middlesex, 607 
Middleville, 194 
Middletown, 130, 428, 492 

478 
Milan, 80, 137 
Mill Brook, 158 
Millers Place, 534 
Milford, 444 
Milltown, 449, 452 
Milton, 492, 558 
MJllville, 430, 464 
Milo, 607 



Mina, 90 
Minaville, 278 
Minden, 279 
Minerva, 157 
Minisink, 419 
Mixville, 60 
Mohawk, 194, 280 
Moira, 166 
Monroe, 421 
Monroe County, 263 
Montezuma, 80 
Montgomery, 423 
Montgomery Co., 272 
Monticello, 447, 548 
Mooers, 106 
Mooersville, 130 
Moravia, 81 
Moreau, 493 
Morehouse, 191 
Morgans ville, 180 
Moriah, 158 
Moriches, 535 
Morrisiana, 597 
Morrisville, 257 
Morristoxvn, 485 
Moscow, 246 
Motts' Corners, 552 
Mount Hope, 423 
Mount Morris, 248 
Mount Pleasant, 593 
Mount Upton, 101 
Mud Creek, 528 
Murray, 430 

Nanticoke, 72 
Naphanock, 560 
Naples, 408 
Napoli, 86 
Narrowsburg, 547 
Nassau, 468 
Natural Bridge, 219 
Navarino, 389 
Near Rockaway, 456 
Nelson, 2IJ0 
Neskayuna, 54, 508 
Netterville, 509 
Nettlehill, 93 
Neversink, 547 
New Albion, 86 
Newark, 549, 578 
New Baltimore, 189 
New Berlin, 101 
New Brighton, 474 
Newburg, 424 
New Castle, 596 
New City, 476 
Newcomb, 158 
Newfleld, 553 
New Fane, 352 
New Hackensack, 135 
New Hartford, 365 
New Haven, 432 
New Hudson, 60 
New Lebanon, 120 
New Lisbon, 444 
New London, 375 
New Ohio, 72 
New Paltz, 559 
Newport, 199 
New Rochelle, 596 
Newry, 188 
New Scotland, 51 
Newstead, 153 
Newtown, 460 
New Utretcht,237 
New Windsor, 425 
New York, 284 
New York County, 284 
Niagara, 352 
Niagara County, 347 
Nicholas Point, 582 
Nicholas, 549 
Nicholsville, 174 
Nicbolville, 484 



Niles, 81 
Nineveh, 72 
Nisbets Comers, 365 
Noblevilte, 444 
Norfolk, 435 
North Armenia, 137 
Northampton, 174 
North Castle, 596 
Northtield, 4/5 
Nnr.h Hempstead, 462 
North East, 137 
North Port, 540 
North Salem, 596 
Northville, 174 
Northumberland, ^93 
Norway, 199 
Norwich, 102, 463 
Nunda, 60 
Nyack, 478 

Oakfield, 179 

Oakhill, 188 

Oak Orchard, 430 

Oaksville, 445 

Ohio, 199 

Ogden, 265 

Opfdensburg, 485 

Old Attlebury, 142 

Olean, 86 

Olive, 559 

Omar, 92 

Oneida Castleton, 375 

Oneida County, 360 

Oneonta, 444 

Onondaja, 389 

Onondaga County, 383 

Ontario, 580 

Ontario County, 403 

Oppenheim, 174 

Oquago. 70 

()ran,'3y2 

Orange County, 411 

Orange, 532 

Oi angetown, 478 

OraiiKeville, 603 

Oriskany, 377 

Oriskanv Falls, 360 

Orleans, 212 

Orleans County, 429 

Orville, 383 

Orwell, 432 

Osborn's Bridge, 174 

Osborneville, 189 

Ossian, 60 

Oswegatchie, 485 

Oswego, 432 

Oswego County, 431 

Owego, 549 

Otego, 445 

Otisco, 392 

Otisville, 433 

Otto, 86 

Otsego, 445 

Otsego County, 439 

Otselic, 102 

Ovid, 525 

Owasco, 81 

Owensville, 597 

Oxbow, 201 

Oxford, 102, 411 

Oyster Bay, 462 

Oyster Ponds, 545 

Painted Post, 532 
Palatine, 282 
Palermo, 438 
Palmers' Comers, 105 
Pamelia, 212 
Palmyra, 580 
Paradox, 158 
Panama, 90 
Paris, 366 
Parish. 438 
Farishville, 489 



COUNTIES, TOWNSHIPS, VILLAGES. 



Parma. 265 
Piitihii«iie, 535 
I'll i-iso^i, 449 
riilioiin's Mi.ts, 464 
Piivilinii, IdO 
PavvliiiiT, 137 
Pe.-ks. ill , 565 
P(,ckville. 135 
Pi-kiri, :M8 
P.liiaiii, 596 
PoiiiliHike IPO 
P.M:(ile,('ii, 357 
P.nti.Jd. '3 6 
Poiiti Van, (i07 
Peniiiln ;^ i!6B 
Perry, 552, 603 
Perrvsbuip, 86 
Peiryt-vilc, 106,253 
P.T.-ia, 86 
Peru, Klfi 
PtTuville, 552 
Peterboro', 260 
Petcrsburf!, 469 
Penh, 174 
Pliaisalla, 104 
Phelps, 409 
Plii:ailcliiliia, 212 
Philipsbiirg, 56, 428 
Pliilijispoil. 547 
PliililiKtdwfi, 449 
PlKEiiix, 439, 444 
Pieipont, 489 
Pitiiiioiit, 478 
PikH, 61 
Piiicknev, 242 
Pins Hill, 179 
Pine Bridge, 601 
Pine Plains, 137 
Piseco, 191 
Pitcairn, 489 
Pitcher, 1(V4 
Pitts Flats, 409 
Pittstield, 447 
Piltsfoid, 266 
Pitts'.own, 469 
Plaintield, 447 
Plainville, 384 
Platiakill, 516 
Plaitekill, 559 
Plattbburz, 108 
Pleasant Plains, 133 
Plea^ant Vallev, 137, 167 
Pleasantville, 593 
Plymouth, 104 
Poesten Kill, 469 
Poland, 90, 199 
Poinlrct, 90 
Pompev, 392 
Poolvil'le, 259 
Portage, 61, 365 
Porter, 357 
Portland, 92 
Port Byron, 80 
port Bi'njainin, 560 
Port Chester, 597 
Port noiiglas, 155 
Port Genesee, 263 
Port Gibson, 408 

Port Henry, 158 

Port Hickson, 500 

PortJar.kson, 278 

Port Jarvis, 417 

Port J( trersnn, 534 

Port Kent, 1,55 

Port Randall, 155 

Port r.ieliMiond, 475 

Porlville, 86 

PolBdaiti, 489 

Potter, 007 

Potters Hollow, 52 

Poughkeepsie, 137 

PixiL'hquake, 133 

Poundrid^e, .597 

FiattHlurg, 5;iS 



Prattsville, 189 
Piat.B Hollow, 257 
Preble, 125 
Piesloii, 105 
Piincetown, 509 
Providence, 4'J3 
Pi!laski, 438 
Pi.l eiiev, 5,12 
Pulteiiey\ ille, 583 
PcTNAM County, 448 
Pnliiani Valley, 452 
Pntnam, 575 
Piilvers Corners, 137 
Punchkill, 516 

ttnaker Hill, 137 
ftueeiisbury, 5C6 
(iuicENs County, 4.52 
Ciueenstoii Heights, 349 
Quiiicy, 92 
Quogue, 543 

Rainapo, 482 
Rainerton, 464 
Randolph, 87 
Ransomville, 551 
Rawsonville, 167 
Raynertown, 456 
Reading, 532 
Rtdfield, 438 
Redford, 113 
Redhook, 140 
Red Mills, 449 
Renisen, 366 
Rensselaer, 469 
Rensselaer County, 463 
Rensselaerburs, 484 
Rensselaer's Mills, 469 
Rensselaerville, 51 
Keynales Basin, 359 
Reynoldsville, 552 
Rliinebeck, 141 
Riceville, 86 
Ridgeway, 430 
Richlield, 447 
Richford, 551 
Ricliland, 438 
Richmond, 409 
Richmond County, 473 
Richniondville, 516 
Richville, 180, 484 
Riga, 266 
Ripley, 92 
Riverhead, 540 
Roanoke, 180 
Rochester, 266, 559 
Rock City, 137, 492 
Rock Glen, 135 
Rockland, 547 
Rockland County, 475 
Rodman, 212 
Rome, 366 
Ronmlus, 525 
Rondoubt, 557 
Root, 283 
Rossie, 490 
Rose, 532 
Rosendale, 558 
Rossville, 475 
Rouses Point, 106 
Rotterdam, 509 
Roxliury, 130 
Royalton, 359 
Rush, 270 

Rnshvillp, 408, 549,607 
Rushlord, 65 
Russi'i, 490 
Russia, 199 
Ruiland, 212 
liulledL'c, 84 
Rye, 597 

Packetts Harbor, 202 
Sagg Harbor, 543 



St. .TohnsvilIe,283 
St. Regis, 163 
^falein, 92, .575 
Saliiia, :'.'j3 
Salisbury, 199, 411 
Salt Point, 137 
?ampsoiidale, 476 
Sanlord, 73 
Sandusky, 85 
Sandlake, 469 
Sandy Creek, 430, 438 
Sandy Hill, .572 
Sangerticld, 370 
Saraiiac, 113 
Saratoga, 493 
Sardinia, 153 
Saratoga County, 491 
Saratoga Springs, 498 
Saugerties, 5.59 
Saqiioit, 36() 
Savannah, 582 
Sawpitts, 597 
Scaisdale, 597 
Scotchtown, 428 
Schaghticoke, 469 
Schenectady, 509 
Schohaiie, 520 
Schoharie County, 515 
Schodac, 469 
Schroon, 158 
Schroeppel, 439 
Schuitz Corners, 133 
Schuyler, 199 
Schuylerville, 493 
Scienceville, 189 
Scio, 65. 430 
Scipio, 81 
Scotia, 507 
Scott, 12.5 
Scottsville, 271 
Scriba, 439 
Searsburg, 417, 552 
Sempronius, 81 
Seneca, 409 
Seneca County, 525 
Seneca Falls, 525 
Sennet, 81 
Separate, 142 
Sewtird, 524 
Setanket, 534 
Sliandaken, 559 
Sharon, 524 
Shawangunk, 559 
Shelby, 430 
Shelter Island, 541 
Sheldon, 603 
Shenandoah, 135 
Sherburne, 105 
Sheridan, 92 
Sherman, 92 
Slierman's Mills, 469 
Shookville, 137 
Shortsville, 408 
Shumla, 92 
Sibley's Corners, 270 
Sidney, 130 
Siloani, 2(;0 
Silver Creek, 90 
Sinclairville, 88 
Sing Sing, 593 
Skanandoa, 375 
Skeneateles, 401 
Sloansville, ,'i23 
Slaterville, 552 
Sleepv Hollow, .595 
Siniililioimigh, .551 
Sniiiirs Corners, 82 
Smithlii'ld, 260 
Sniilhtovvn, 516, 541 
Smilhville, 105,201,202 
Smoky Hollow, 114 
Sinyrna. 105 
Sod'ns, 582 
Solesville, 260 



Solon, 125 
Somers, 597 
Somerville, 490 
Somerset, 359 
South Biistol, 411 
South East, 4.52 
Souihfi.ld, 475 
Soulhainp'on, 543 
Sonthold, 545 
Soulhport, 99 
South Salem, 590 
Spatiord, 403 
Sparta, 249, 593 
Speigleton, 468 
Speedville, 552 
Spencer's Basin, 265 
Spencer, 551 
Spencertoivn, 114 
Spencer's Corners, 137 
Speunk, 543 
Spracker's Basin, 283 
Spiingfield, 447 
Springmilt, 60 
Springport, 81 
Springtown, 559 
Springwater, 251 
Springville, 122 
Stamford, 132 
S:aff.ird, 180 
Stanford, 142 
Stanton Hill, 189 
Siapleton, 475 
Siaik, 199 
Siarkey, 608 
Siephentown, 469 
Sterling, 81 
Steuben, 371 
Steuben County, 527 
Stewart's Corners, 142 
Siillvvater, 499 
St. Johnsville, 283 
St. Helena, 602 
St. Lawrence Co., 482 
Stockbridge, 200 
Stockholm, 490 
Stockport, 122 
Stockton, 92 
Stone Arabia, 282 
Stone Mill, 212 
Stonybrook, 534 
Stonnville, 135 
Stowe's Square, 239 
Stratford, 174 
Strykersville, 518, 603 
Stuart's Corners, 82 
Stuyvesant, 122 
Suffolk County, 533 
Sugar Loaf, 428 
Sullivan, 260 
Sullivan County, 546 
Summer Hill, bl 
Summer Valley, 57 
Summit, 524 
Sweden, 271 
Syracuse, 395 

Taberg, 360 
Taghkanic, 123 
Talcott's Corners, 82 
Taico tvill ■. 239 
1'annersville, 189 
Tappan, 478 
Tarrytown, 588 
Theresa, 201 
Thompson, .547 
Thompsonville, 548 
Throopsville, 80 
Ticonderoga, 158 
Tioga, 551 
Tioga County, 548 
Tomheiiick, 469 
Tompkins, i:;2 
Tompkins County, 5&1 
, Tompkinsville, 474 



COUNTIES, TOWNSHIPS, VILLAGES. 



Tonawanda, 153, 359 
Trenton, 372 
Triangle, 73 
Troupsbiirg, 532 
Troy, 469 
Truniansbiirg, 553 
Truxton, 125 
Tully, 403 
Tunesassah, 82 
Tupper's Corners, 82 
Turin, 242 
Tylersville, 212 
Tyre, 526 
Tyrone, 532 

UUines, 469 
Ulster County, 555 
Ulsterville. 559 
Ulysses, 553 
Unadilla, 447 
UnadilJa Forks, 447 
Union, 73 

Union Corners, 251 
Union Falls, 106 
Union Square, 432 
Union Mills, 167 
Union Spiiiigs, 81 
Union Vale, 142 
Union Village, 571 
Unionville, 420, 593 
Upper Landing, 135 
Urbana, 532 
Utica, 373 

Valatie, 118 
Varysburg, 603 
Van Buren, 403 
Vanhornsville, 199 
Varick, 526 
Venice, 82 
Verbank, 14Si 



Vermont, 89 
Venia, 552 
Vernon, 375 
Verona, 315 
Versailles, 86 
Vesper, 403 
Vestal, 74 
Veteran, 99 
Victor, 4U 
Victory, 82 
Vienna, 375,409 
Villenova, 92 
Virgil, 125 
Volney, 439 
Vorheesville, 278 

Waddington. 485 
Wadliain's Mills, 162 
Wainscott, 536 
Waits Corners, 576 
Walden, 423 
Wales, 154 
Wallkill, 428 
Wal on, 132 
Walworth, 583 
Wampsville, 260 
Warren, 199, 476 
Warren County, 561 
Warrensburg, 567 
Warsaw, 604, 605 
Warwick, 428 
Washington, 142 
Washington Co., 567 
Washingtonville,411, 439 
Washington Hollow, 137 
Waterburg, 553 
Waterborough, 90 
Waterford, 505 
Waterloo, 526 
Watertown, 212 
Waterville, 371 



Waterville Comers, 153 
Water Valley, 153 
Watervliet, 54 
Watson, 242 
Wawarsing, 560 
Wayne, 533 
Wayne County, 578 
Webster, 271 
Wellsburg, 99 
Weedsport, 80 
Wells, 191 
West Almond, 65 
West Bloomfield, 411 
West Farms, 597 
Westfield. 93 
West Galway, 167 
West Milford, 92 
West Point, 411 
Westchester, 597 
Westchester Co., 584 
Westerlo, 55 
Western, 376 
Westtield, 475 
Westford, 448 
Westhampton, 543 
Westmoreland, 376 
Westport, 162 
West Troy, 54 
West Turin, 242 
Westville, 166, 448 
Wethersfield, 604 
Wheaifield, 359 
Wheatland, 271 
Wheeler, 533 
White's Corners, 153 
White Creek, 576 
Whitehall, 577 
Whitehaven, 153 
White Plains, 598, 
Whitesborough, 377 
■ Whitestown, 377 



Whitestone, 453 
Whitesvillc, 60, 213 
W hillock ville, 584 
Willei, 125 
Williamsburg, 234 
Williamson, 583 
WiUiamstown, 212, 439 
Williarasville, 143 
Willsborough, 162 
Wilmington, 162 
Wilniurt, 199 
Wilna, 219 
Wilson, 359 
Wilton, 506 
Winansville, 188 
Windham, 189 
Windsor, 70 
VVinfield, 199 
Wrnton, 199 
Wirt, 66 
Wolcott, 583 
Woodburn, 547 
Wood hull, 533 
Woodstock, 256, 561 
Woodville, 202 
Worcester, 448 
Wurtzboro', 547 
Wynaiitskill, 454 
Wyoming, 603 
Wyoming County, 601 

Yates, 430 
Yates County, 604 
Yatesville, 605, 608 
Yaughcripplebusb, 559 
Yonfters, 601 
York, 251 
Yorkshire, 87 
Yorfttown, 601 
York ville, 338, 377 
Youngstown, 357 



POPULATION OF THE COUNTIES IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK IN 1840, 



Albany, 68,546 

Allegany, 40,920 

Broome, 22,348 

Cattaraugus, 28,803 

Cayuga, 50,362 

Chautauque, 47,641 

Chemung, 20,731 

Chenango, 40,779 

Clinton, 28,178 

Columbia, 44,237 

Cortland, 24,605 

Delaware, 35,363 

Dutchess, 52,488 

Erie 62,153 

Essex 23,611 

Franklin, 16,450 

Fulton, 18,038 

Genesee, 59,640 

Greene, 30,446 

Hamilton, 1,907 



Herkimer, 37,378 

Jefferson, 61,064 

Kings, 47,613 

Lewis, 17,849 

Livingston, 35,710 

Madison, 40,007 

Monroe, 64,912 

Montgomery, 35,801 

New York, 312,932 

Niagara, 31,114 

Oneida, 85,327 

Onondaga, 67,914 

Ontario, 43,501 

Orange, 50,733 

Orleans, 25,015 

Oswego, 43,820 

Otsego, 49,412 

Putnam, 12,825 

Queens, 30,324 

Rensselaer, 60,303 

2 



Richmond, 10,985 

Rockland, 11,874 

Saratoga, 40,450 

Schenectady, 17,233 

Schoharie, 32,351 

Seneca, 24,868 

St. Lawrence, 56,693 

Steuben, 45,992 

Suffolk, 32,469 

Sullivan, 15,630 

Tioga, 20,350 

Tompkins, 38,113 

Ulster, 45,724 

Warren, 13,470 

Washington, 41,095 

Wayne, 42,160 

Westchester, 48,687 

Yates, 20,442 

Total, 2,429,476 



INDEX. 



Adirondack Mountains 157 

Amsterdam, INieuw, in 1659 287 

Andre, taking of 479 

Andre, execution of 588 

Anecdotes, ludicrous 446 

Anecdotes, singular 187 

Allen, William H. epitaph 118 

Ararat, ci,y of. 153 

Arnold llie traitor, anecdote of 283 

Antoiie, Ahrain, trial of 257 

Astor House 334 

Barber. Li'utenant-colonel, death of 137 

Baker, Miss Rachel, the sleeping preacher 387 

Backus, Azel, D.D. epilapli 364 

Barber, Robert, murder of 261 

Ballad, on ihe desiruclion of Schenectady 513 

Battery and Castle Garden 33) 

Bennington, battle of 466 

Beach, Tinioiliy, adventures of 130 

Bear, conflict with 554 

Bishop, Sarah, hermitess 5'JO 

Bi^ Kettle, notice of. 84 

Bowne Mansion House 451) 

Boyd, Lieutenant, horrible death of. 247 

Black Ketile, notice of. 390 

Black Rock, attack on 144 

Brock, Sir James, dealh of 349 

Brant, Joseph, notice of 275 

Brant, conference with 447 

Brown, Colonel, nojce of. 283 

Bread, scarcity of. 550 

British otticers, description of. 3)8 

Bristol, wreck of 457 

Burgess, Daniel, escape of 61 

Burgoyne, surrender of 497 

IJutiHlo, bujiiing of. 151 

Butler House, Mohawk 282 

Butlers, tac-simile of 2';3 

Butler, Walter, death of. 172 

Captive boys of Rensselaerville 52 

Cahoes Falls .54 

Canajohaiie, invasion of. 2T5 

Caroline, burning of. 357 

Cameron, DuL'ald, epitaph 510 

Carlliaf.'e Bridge 269 

Cat.skili Mdiniiain House 185 

Cayuga Bridge 79 

Census, New York city, State, and the United 

States 285 

Chateaugay, skirmish at 104 

Cliatauque gas springs 91 

Child, first born in Long Island 220 

Chinmey I'oitit Gulf. 241 

Church, ancient, at Caughnawaga 281 

Church, ancient, Albany 46 

Churches, mnnoer of, in New York 329 

Cholera in New ifork 3)4 

Chippewa, battle of 354 

Cherry Valley, destruction of 440 

Chenning, battle of 9g 

City Hall, New York .'.. 316 

Clinton, George, notice of. 4 19 

Clinton, I)e Witt, notice of 42(i 

Clinton Liberal Institute 362 

Coriiplanter, notice of Bj 



Cork Island, Oxford lO* 

Golden, Governor, efiigy of 297 

Colhraith, Colonel, anecdote of. 366 

Cozier, E. S., epi:aph 375 

Golden, Cadvvallader, notice of. 454 

Cochian, Dr. John, epitaph 375 

Cob. Iskill, attack on 516 

Corn, early method of poutiding 531 

Crosby, Enoch, notice of 135 

Croton Aqueduct 336 

Customhouse 323 

Dana, General James, notice of 517 

Deserter, execution of. 464 

De Fonclaire, J. B. V., epitaph 173 

Dean, Esq., James, notice of 376 

Diploma for the Indians 173 

Dddd, Rev. Bethuel, epitaph 382 

Downie, Commodore, epitaph 113 

Dover stone chureii 134 

Doxiader, J., the tory, defeat of 524 

Dream, remarkable 171 

Dutch, aticient, church 40 

Dutch church, Fishkill 136 

Dutch church, ancient 595 

Dwighi's, Dr., desCiip;ion of Westchester County 
in (he revolution 592 

Edwards, George C. epitaph 530 

Edwards, D. D , Jonathan, epitaph 514 

Erie Canal celebration 334 

Einmel, Thomas Addis, e|)itaph 347 

Esopus, Indian attack on 557 

Fire, great, in New York, 1776 303 

Fire, gieat, in New York, 1835 321 

Fort Erie, assault on 145 

Fort El ie, sortie of 146 

Fort Plain, block-house 279 

Fort Ann, bailie near 5:i8 

Fort Edwaid, plan of 569 

Fox, George, notice of 454 

Frazer, General, d:'alh of. 504 

French colotiy, account of 392 

French emiiirants in Greene County 100 

Fulton, Robert, notice of 340 

Gardner, Lyon, notice of 536 

Garretson, Freeborn, notice of. 141 

Getiese(> Falls 269 

Gleiins Falls 566 

Gleiiville, incursion into 507 

Gray, Colonel, dealh of. ., 210 

Granger, Gideon, epitaph 407 

Greig, Captain, remaikable preservation of 369 

Gothic or Temperance Hall 329 

Harpers, William and John, adventures of 128 

Hamilton, Miss Sally, murder of 181 

Hanlbiirs Latiding 264 

Hale, Captain Nathan, notice of 308 

Halls of Justice 318 

Harlem Tuimel 338 

Hamilton, Alexander, notice of. 344 

Hamilton, Alexander, epitaph 347 

Hamiltoti Cdllege 361 

HaUiaway, Hon.Joaliua, epitaph 570 



INDEX. 



11 



Han Verry, anecdote of. 379 

Herkimer, General, notice of. 192 

Herkimer, burning of. 195 

Hendrick, King, notice of. 280 

Hendy, Colimel, anecdote of 98 

Hornby Lodge 64 

Hdsack, Rev.S., D. D. epitaph 173 

Holland Land Company's Office 176 

Hughes, Jotin, Welsli epitaph on 375 

Hurlgate 461 

Indian forts at Philipsburg 56 

Indian aiitiquiiies, Oxford lO't 

Indians, interview with, in 1691 235 

Irving, Washington, residence of. 588 

Jay, John, LL. D. notice of 584 

Jefferson barracks 211 

Jemison, Mary, the "white woman" 6(J2 

Johnson Hall 168 

Joluison, Sir William, notice of 168 

Johnson, Sir John, incursion of. 170 

Johnson, Sir Guy, residence of 272 

Johnsons, the fac-similes of. 273 

Kalm, Professor, visit to Albany 47 

Kidd's Heights, Albany 45 

Kidd, Williani, the pirate 536 

Kirtland, Rev. Mr. notice of 362 

King, Rufns, noiice of. 460 

Kingston destroyed 557 

Knickerbocker, extract from 290 

Kosciusko, notice of 415 

Kunze, J. C, D. D. notice of 347 

Lake George, battle of. 563 

Lawrence, Capiairi J., epi:aph 346 

Lee, Ann, notice of 55 

Leverich, Rev. Mr. notice of. 461 

Letter, anonymous, Newhurg 425 

Livingston, Robert R. notice of. 115 

Livingston, Philip, noiice of. 339 

Livingston, William, notice of. 340 

Livingston, Brockholst 342 

Livingston's Manor 1 19 

Liberty-pole, first, in Mohawk Valley 194 

Little Falls, Indian descent at 198 

Lindesay , Mr. notice of. 440 

Louis Pliilippe, King, visit to Elmira 98 

Long Island, battle of , 228 

Long Island, history of 251 

Long Island, Indians of. 253 

Lundy's Lane, battle of 355 

Mann, J. D. Milton, epitaph 118 

McCrea, Miss Jane, murder of 569 

McKenzie, A. epilaph 173 

Mersereau, Judge, notice of 7.'i 

Merrick, Mariha, epitaph of 124 

Merchants' Exchange, New York 325 

Mexico, wreck of 457 

Meigs, Colonel, expedition of. 544 

Mmisink, invasion of 420 

Montour, Catharine, notice of 94 

Mooers, General, epitaph on 112 

Morgan, William, abduction of 177 

Monumenial inscription, Sackett's Harbor 211 

Moody, Lady, notice of 236 

Mohawk Castles, taking of 277 

Monument at Hempstead 456 

Moinnnental pile, Indian 2T8 

Monument at Goshen 418 

Montgomery, General, notice of. 343 

Montgomery, epitaph 346 

Montgomery, Fort, capture of. 422 

Mont^'(miery, Fort, shocking appearance at 423 

Monlauk Point, view of 537 

Morris, Gouverneur, notice of. 597 

Mormonism, origin of 580 

Mnsquetoes, Indian tradition respectitig 81 

Murder near the Sterling Iron Works 428 

Murphy, T. adventures of 518 

Navy Yard, Brooklyn 221 



Negro plot 295 

New York, evacuation of. 310 

New York in 1800 315 

New York Uinversity 326 

New York Deaf and Dumb Asylum 327 

Newspapers, ancient, extracts from 296 

Niagara Falls, view of 353 

Niagara Fort, account of 358 

Norton, Selh M. epitaph 364 

Novel marriage 514 

Oak, ancient, at Lyons 579 

Oak openings 180 

Officers, Dutch names of 287 

Ogdensburg, attack on 486 

Oneida Institute, view of 378 

Onondagas, account of. 389 

Onondaga, French colony at, in 1656 398 

Oriskany, battle of 380 

O.-wego, attack on 436 

Oswego Fort, surrender of. 435 

Palatinates, settlement of 521 

Painted Post, the history of. 530 

Parson's, Gen. corresiiondence with Gov. Tryon, 591 

Penitentiary, Black well's island 320 

Perkins, Capt. S. epilaph 370 

Peekskill, incursion into 586 

Phoenix, burning of. 107 

Phelphs and Gorham's surveys 406 

Phtlps, Hon. Oliver, epitaph! 408 

Phillips' patent 595 

Pine, large 130 

Pike, Gen. Z. M. death of 205 

Pike, Gen. Z. M. monumental inscription 211 

Pixley, Colonel D. epitaph 551 

Plattsburg, battle of. HO 

Portage Falls, view of 62 

Pompey, ancient remains at 392 

Prison at Auburn 77 

Piisnn ships, revolutionary 222 

Prescott, battle of 487 

Prondnt, Rev. J. epitaph 576 

Publications, periodical, in New York 333 

Putnam's battle with Indians 573 

Pulteneyville, invasion of 583 

Queenstown Heights, battle of 349 

Red Jacket, notice of 149 

Red Jacket, conference with 406 

Rensselaer tenants, riot of 114 

Rensselaer, manor of 472 

Rensselaer, Hon. Stephen, notice of 50 

Revolutionary incidents in New York 304 

Rivington press destroyed 300 

Robbery at Fishkill 136 

Rochester, O'Reilly's sketches of. 267 

Rockwell, J.O. notice of 386 

Robinson House, the 450 

Roger's Rock 505 

Royalists executed at Kingston 558 

Salt procured by Indians 74 

Sammons, Sampson, adventures of 171 

Sackett's Harbor, attack on 207 

Sandy Creek, battle at 202 

Sanger, Jedidiah, notice of. 365 

Salina salt works 3U6 

Sailor's Snug Harbor 474 

Sabbath Day Point 565 

Sandy Hill, Indian barbarities at 573 

Schlosser Landing, view of 356 

Schenando, notice of 303 

Schuyler, Honyost, stratagem of. 369 

Schuyler, General Philip, notice of. 498 

Schuyler Mansion House 494 

Schenectady, destruction of. 511 

Schoharie, middle fort, attack on 518 

Schoharie stone church 522 

Seneca oil spring 59 

Seneca Mission House 149 

Senecas invaded by the French 243 

Senecas, sacrifice of. 268 



12 



INDEX. 



Shakers, notice of. 55 

Shakers at New Lebanon 120 

Silliman, Major-general, capture of. 463 

Sing Sing Prison 593 

Skeene, Major, royalist 577 

Smith, Richard, notice of. 541 

S iih, Joseph, the Mormon 580 

6' opy Hollow 595 

S| iiil8h Hill, Chemung 95 

Spy, Indian, death ol 508 

Standard, tirst, taken in last war 163 

SladtHuysinl642 286 

Sitiyvesant, Governor, notice of 339 

Sterling, Lord, notice of 343 

Stan wix, Fort, siege of 368 

Steuben, Baron, notice of. 371 

Stillwater, battle at 499 

Steamboat, Fulton, first American 342 

Tammany Hall, New York. 330 

Tallmadge, Colonel, expedition of 534 

Ticonderoga, Fort 158 

Ticonderoga, capture of, byAllen 159 

Ticonderoga, St. Clair's evacuation of. 161 

Tornado in Alleganv County 57 

Tripe's Hill, (irst settlers at 281 

Trenton Falls 373 

Truxton, Commodore, notice of 460 

Troy Female Seminary 471 

Tryon, corrtvpondence with 591 

Tumiel at Portage 63 

Union College 510 

Ujaion Kace Course. >. 459 



Van Buren, President, birthplace 119 

Van Buren, Abraham A. epitaph 119 

Van Kleek House 138 

Va- 1 en.s^;aer, S. notice of 50 

Va.i Tassel Mansion 588 

Van Wart, Isaac, epitaph 588 

Warrant, ancient 140 

Wadsworth, James and William, notice of 245 

Washington, Fo.t, capture of 600 

Washington inaugurated 324 

Washington's head-quarters, Newburg 424 

Walnut tree, large 90 

Walker, Rev. EInaihan 124 

Wawarsing, burning of. 560 

Wedding, curious 384 

West Point Academy 412 

West Point, ancient view of. 416 

Wheat, &c. price of, 1804 174 

White, Hugh, notice of 378 

White, Hugh, epitaph. 382 

White Plains, battle of 598 

Williams, Rev. Mr. capture of 163 

Willet, Colonel Marinus, notice of 460 

Williamson, Captain, tirst settler at Bath 529 

Wilkinson, Jemima, "the Universal P'riend".. .. 605 

William Henry, Fort, capture of 564 

Woolsey, Major, cowaidice of 520 

Yeo, Sir James, amusing alarm of, near Rochester, 270 

Yellow Fever iti New York 311 

York Island, military movements on 301 

York, U. C. attack on 203 

Young, Major G. D. notice of. 163 



OMISSIONS AND CORRECTIONS. 

Page 50, the Mhnvy Medical ColUge is a flourishing Institution. Its officers are a President, Registrar, 
Librari;in, and eight Professors Nu'mbir of students in 1841, one hundred and twenty-three. 

Page 95, the village of Horseheads \s ahoni five miles north of Elmira, so called, it is said, from the 
sculls of horses found near it, slaughtered for food bv Sullivan's armv. 

Page 120, Pop. of New Lebanon, 2,534. 

Page 282, for Tryon, read Campbell. 

Page 308, for Uavid, read Nathan Hale. 

Page 472, there are at this time ,1841) 17 churches in Troy, viz : 3 Episcopal, 4 Presbyterian, 1 Scotch 
Presbyterian, 2 Baptist, 2 Methodist, 1 Friends, 1 Universalist, 1 Catholic, and 2 African. 



NEW YORK. 



OUTLINE HISTORY. 



There is reason to believe that the first Europeans who landed on 
the soil of New York, were the crew of a French vessel under the 
command of John de Verrazzano, a Florentine, in the service of 
Francis L, of France. " Verrazzano had been for some time intrusted 
with the command of four ships, in cruising against the Spaniards. 
These vessels being separated in a storm, the commander resolved 
with one of them, the Dauphin, to undertake a voyage for the purpose 
of discovering new countries." About the middle of March, 1524, 
he arrived on the American coast near Wilmington, N. C. From 
this point he proceeded as far south as Georgia. He then turned 
and proceeded northward, until he came to about the latitude of 41° 
north, where he entered a harbor, which, from his description, is 
believed to be that of New York.* 

It appears from Verrazzano's account, that he stayed in the harbor 

about fifteen days. It seems he had much intercourse with the natives 

of the country. " They came on board his ship frequently, and without 

reserve ; traded with him freely for such articles as he needed, and 

generally attended his men, in greater or smaller numbers, whenever 

*hey went on shore." He sailed from the harbor on the 5th of May, 

nd proceeded as far north as the coast of Labrador ; from thence 

; sailed for France, where he arrived in July. In a letter to the 

ag, he gave an account of his voyage, giving the name of New 

•ance to the country he visited. As his voyage neither produced 

r promised any addition to the revenues of France, his discoveries 

;re not pursued, and even the memory of it was almost forgotten. 

s supposed that Verrazzano, in a subsequent voyage, was cut to 

ces and devoured by the savages. 

.n 1607, a London company fitted out a ship under the command 
Henry Hudson, for the purpose of discovering a northwestern 
ssage to the East Indies. This voyage, and another the next year 

An account of this voyage, given in a letter to the French king, is found in Richard 
luyt's Voyages, Navigations, &c., published in 1600, in London, in three vols, folio, 
republished in vol. i. of the Coll. of the New York Hist. Soc. 



14 OUTLINE HISTORY. 

for the same purpose, both proving unsuccessful, the company sus- 
pended their patronage, Hudson then went to Holland, and entered 
into the service of the celebrated Dutch East India Company. This 
company fitted out a small ship, named Half Moon, under the com- 
mand of Hudson, Wi\h a crew it is said of twenty men, Dutch and 
English. Hudson left Amsterdam on the 4th, the Texel on the 6th 
of April, and arrived on the American coast on the 18th of July, 
1609, near Portland, in the state of Maine. 

Pursuing his course southward, Hudson came to Cape Cod, where 
he landed, about the 3d of August. After this, he sailed southward 
and westward for one-and-twenty days, " making remarks on the 
soundings and currents," until he came to the entrance of Chesapeak 
Bay, about the 24th of August. From this point, he returned north- 
ward along the coast, and on the 28th discovered Delaware Bay 
During the six following days, Hudson pursued his northerly course, 
until, on the 3d of September,4609, he anchored within Sandy Hook. 

" The next day, the 4th of September, he sent a boat on shore for 
the purpose of fishing. The tradition is that his men first landed on 
Coney Island, which lies near to Long Island, and now makes a part 
of Kings county. On the same day the natives came on board his 
ship, as she lay at anchor, conducting themselves with great apparent 
friendliness, and discovering a strong disposition to barter the produce 
of their country for knives, beads, clothes, and other articles of a 
similar kind. The next day, the 5th of September, Hudson again 
sent his boat on shore, for the purpose, as appears from the journal, 
of exploring and sounding the waters lying to the south, within Sandy 
Hook, and forming what is now called the Horse Shoe. Here the 
boat's crew landed and penetrated some distance into the woods, in 
what is now Monmouth county, in New Jersey. They were very 
well received by the natives, who presented them very kindly with 
what the journal calls ' green tobacco,' and also with ' dried cur- 
rants ;' [these were probably whortleberi'ies,] which are represented 
as having been found in great plenty, and of a very excellent quality. 

" On the 6th of September, Hudson sent a boat manned with five 
hands to explore what appeared to be the mouth of a river, at the 
distance of about four leagues from the ship. This was no doubt 
the strait between Long and Staten islands, generally called the 
Narrows. Here, the writer of the journal observes, ' a good depth 
of water was found;' and within, a large opening, and a narrow 
river to the west ; in which it is evident he refers to what is now 
called the Kills, or the channel between Bergen Neck and Staten 
Island. In exploring the bay and the adjacent waters, the boat's 
crew spent the whole day. On their way in returning to the ship 
towards night, they were attacked by the natives, in two canoes ; the 
one carrying fourteen men, and the other twelve. A skirmish ensued, 
in which one of Hudson's men, named John Colman, was killed by 
an arrow, which struck him in the throat, and two more were 
wounded. The next day the remains of Colman were interred on a 
point of land not far from the shio, which from that circumstance 



OUTLINE HISTORY. 15 

received the name of Colman's Point ; and which, probably, was the 
same that is now called Sandy Hook. 

"On the 8th, 9th and 10th days of September, Hudson still rode 
cautiously at anchor, without the Narrows, and seems to have been 
chiefly employed in trading with the natives, and in guarding against 
any insidious attacks which might have been meditated by them, and 
which he evidently feared. On the 11th, he sailed through the 
Narrows, and found, as the writer of the journal expresses it, ' a very 
good harbor for all winds.' On the 12th, he first entered the river 
which bears his name, and sailed up about two leagues. On these 
two days the ship was visited by great numbers of the natives, who 
brought Indian corn, beans, tobacco, and oysters, in abundance, and 
exchanged them for such trifles as the ship's company were disposed 
to barter. They had pipes of 'yellow copper,' in which they 
smoked. They had also various ornaments of copper ; and earthen 
pots, in which they dressed their meat.- But, although they were 
' civil,' as the writer of the journal tells us, and ' made show of love,' 
Hudson did not think proper to trust them ; and by no means would 
suffer any of them to remain on board during the night. 

"From the 12th to the 22d of September, Hudson was employed 
in ascending the river. The journal represents it in general about a 
mile wide, and of a good depth, abounding with fish, among which 
were ' great store of salmons.' As he advanced, he found the land 
on both sides growing higher, until it became ' very mountainous.' 
This high land, it is observed, ' had many points ; the channel was 
narrow, and there were many eddy winds.' In his passage up the 
river, the natives frequently came on board of his ship, and sometimes 
in considerable numbers, but always in an amicable manner. 

" Hudson appears to have sailed up the river a little above where 
the city of Hudson now stands ; and beyond that point, he himself 
n£ver ascended. Not considering it as safe to proceed farther with 
ms ship, he sent a boat with five hands, (the mate, who had the 
command of the expedition, being one,) to explore and sound the river 
higher up. The boat proceeded eight or nine leagues beyond where 
the ship lay at anchor ; but finding the soundings extremely irregular, 
and the depth, in some places, not more than seven feet, it was judged 
una.dvisable to attempt any farther progress. It is evident, from the 
whole account, that the boat went as far as where the city of Albany 
now stands. 

" It is worthy of notice, that the farther they went up the river, 
the more friendly and hospitable the natives appeared. After they 
had passed the highlands, the writer of the journal observes : ' There 
we found a very loving people, and very old men ; and were well 
used.' On the 18th of September, when the ship was lying about 
twenty-five or thirty miles below the present situation of Albany, 
* the mate,' it is farther observed, ' went on shore with an old savage, 
a governor of the country, who took him to his house and made him 
good cheer.' At this place the savages flocked on board the ship in 
considerable numbers, bringing with them corn, tobacco, pumpkins, 



16 OUTLINE HISTORY. 

and grapes, and some of them beaver and otter skins, which they 
exchanged for hatchets, knives, beads, and other trifles. On the 20th 
of September, Hudson and his crew, for the purpose of making an 
experiment on the temper of the Indians, attempted to make a number 
of their principal men drunk. But though they * were all merry,' 
as the journalist expresses it, only one of them appears to have been 
completely intoxicated. This phenomenon excited great surprise 
and alarm among his companions. They knew not what to make 
of it, and it was not until the next day, when he had completely re- 
covered, that they became composed. This, so far as we know, 
is the first instance of intoxication by ardent spirits, among the Indi- 
ans on this part of the American continent. It is very remarkable that 
among the Six Nations there is a tradition, still very distinctly pre- 
served, of a scene of intoxication which occurred with a company of 

the natives when the ship first arrived On the 22d of the 

month, confidence on the part of the natives being restored, a number 
of their chiefs came on board the ship as she lay at anchor. This 
interview the writer of the journal describes in the following man- 
ner : ' At three o'clock in the afternoon they came on board, and 
brought tobacco and beans, and gave them to our master, and made 
an oration, and showed him all the country round about. Then they 
sent one of their company on land, who presently returned and brought 
a great platter of venison, dressed by themselves ; and they caused 
him to eat with them. Then they made him reverence and departed.' 
" On the 23d of September, Hudson began to descend the river. 
On his way down, his men went frequently on shore, and had several 
very friendly interviews with the natives, who expressed a desire 
that they might reside among them ; and made them an offer of lands 
for that purpose. But when the ship came below the highlands, the 
savages appeared to be of a different character, and were extremely 
troublesome ; especially those who inhabited the western side of the 
river. They attempted to rob the ship, and repeatedly shot at me 
crew with bows and arrows from several points of land. Hudson's 
men discharged several muskets at them, and killed ten or twelve of 
them. In these conflicts, which were frequently renewed during the 
first and second days of October, none of the ship's crew appears to 
have been injured. The land on the eastern side of the river, near 
its mouth, was called by the natives ' Manna-hattaJ 

" On the 4th day of October, (just one month from the day on 
which he landed within Sandy Hook,) Hudson came out of the river 
which bears his name ; and without anchoring in the bay, immedi- 
ately stood out to sea. By twelve o'clock at noon that day he was 
entirely clear of land. He steered directly for Europe ; and on the 
9th of November following he ' arrived,' as the writer of the journal 
expresses it, 'in the range of Dartmouth, Devonshire.' Here the 
journal ends. 

" Whether Hudson immediately landed in England, cannot now be 
clearly ascertained ; but it appears that he left that country in April, 
1610, and reached the American coast early in the summer. He 



OUTLINE HISTORY. 17 

soon discovered the great northern bay which bears his name. There, 
after an unwise delay, he was compelled to pass a distressing and 
dangerous winter. In the spring, in addition to all his other misfor- 
tunes, he found a spirit of dissatisfaction and mutiny growing among 
his crew, and at length manifesting itself in open violence. This 
proceeded so far, that on the 22d of June, 1611, a majority of the 
crew arose, took command of the ship, put Hudson, his son, and seven 
others, most of whom were sick or lame, into a boat, turned them 
adrift in the ocean, and abandoned them to their fate. They never 
were heard of more. 

" Hudson did not give his own name to the river which he discov- 
ered. The Iroquois Indians called it Cahohatatea. The Mahicaris, 
Mahakaneghtuc, and sometimes Shatemuck. Hudson styled it em- 
phatically the ' Great River,' or the ' Great River of the Mountains ;' 
no doubt from the extraordinary circumstance of such a body of 
water flowing through the mountains without a cataract. The name 
of its discoverer, however, was early attached to it. I find it familiarly 
called Hudson's river, in some of the public documents of the Dutch 
colonial government ; but more frequently the North river, to dis- 
tinguish it from the Delaware, which was discovered by the same 
navigator, and which being within the territory claimed by the Dutch, 
was called by them the South river. 

" The Dutch immediately began to avail themselves of the advan- 
tage which the discovery of Hudson presented to their view. In 
1610, it appears that at least one ship was sent hither by the East In- 
dia Company, for the purpose of trading in furs, which it is well known 
continued for a number of years to be the principal object of com- 
mercial attraction to this part of the new world. In 1614, a fort and 
trading-house were erected on the spot where Albany now stands, 
and called Fort Orange ; and about the same time another fort and 
trading-house were established on the southwest point of Manhattan 
Island, and called New Amsterdam. The whole colony received 
the name of New Netherlands." — Hist. Discourse hy Samuel Miller, 
D. D., vol i. Coll New York Hist. Soc. 

In 1621, "the Privileged West India Company" was formed in 
Holland ; this company in 1623 began its operations along the Hud- 
son, with a direct view to colonization. A number of settlers during 
this year were sent out, under the command of Cornells Jacohse Mey, 
who were most heartily welcomed by the few previous inhabitants. 
Before these arrived they had been two years without supplies, and 
had been obliged to cut up the sails of some of their boats for neces- 
sary clothing. In compliment to Capt. Mey, they named the bay of 
New York Port Mey. During the same year the forts New Amster- 
dam and Orange were erected, upon the sites of the present cities of 
New York and Albany. 

In 1625, the West India Company freighted two ships, in one of 
which Peter Minuit arrived in New Netherland, with a company of 
Waloons, who settled on Long Island opposite New Amsterdam. 
Minuit is considered by some as the msi Governor or Director of 

3 



18 OUTLINE HISTORY. 

New Netherland. Subordinate to him, the gradation of authority 
and rank seems to have been: 1. Opper-Koo])7nan ; 2. Onder-Koop- 
man ; 3. Koopman ; 4, Assistant. The office of Opper-Koopman, 
chief-merchant or commissary, was vested in Isaac de Raiser. In 
four or five years the trade with the natives was greatly extended, 
attracting dealers even from the lakes, and from the banks of the St. 
Lawrence near Quebec. 

In 1629, the company adopted a charter of" Liberties and exemp- 
tions for patroons, masters, and private individuals, who should plant 
colonies in New Netherland, or import thither any neat cattle." The 
terms of encouragement to those who should send out settlers, were 
great. Such as should undertake to plant a colony of fifty souls, up- 
wards of fifteen years old, were to be acknowledged Patroons, a name 
denoting something baronial and lordly in rank and means. They 
were allowed to select lands for miles in extent, which should descend 
to their posterity for ever. Under this charter, several directors of 
the company determined to avail themselves of these privileges, 
among whom were Samuel Goodyn, Samuel Bloemart, Killian Van 
Rensselaer, the Heer Pauw, and Jan de Laet. These persons sent 
out Wouter Van Twiller, as agent, to inspect the condition of the 
country, and to purchase the lands of the natives for the purpose of 
settlement. 

Owing to some disturbances in the colony, Minuit was recalled in 
1633, and Wouter Van Twiller was appointed in his place. The 
arrival of Van Twiller, as governor, gave a fresh impulse to the set- 
tlements. During his administration, the controversy occasioned by 
the encroachments of the English was begun. In 1638, William 
Kieft succeeded Van Twiller as governor of New Netherland. In 
1642, he broke up the English settlement on Long Island, and fitted 
up two sloops to drive them out of the Schuylkill, of which they had 
possessed themselves. In 1643, the New England colonies entered 
into a league both against the Dutch and Indians. In 1646, a severe 
battle was fought on part of Strickland's Plain, called Horse Neck, 
between the Dutch and Indians. There appears not to have been 
any particulars of the action preserved ; but it is said fhe battle was 
contested with mutual obstinacy, and great numbers were killed on 
both sides. The Dutch ultimately remained masters of the field. 

In 1647, Peter Stuyvesant arrived at Fort Amsterdam, as govern- 
or. He was a brave old ofhcer, and had been commissioned gov- 
ernor-general of Curacoaand the Dutch West Indies. He laid claim 
to all the lands and streams from Cape Henlopen to Cape Cod ; he 
went to Hartford, and demanded a surrender to the Dutch of all the 
lands on Connecticut river. These claims were opposed, and left to 
the decision of arbitrators. Long Island was divided : the eastern 
part was to be held by the English, the western by the Dutch ; to 
the main, the boundaries were amicably adjusted. 

In 1664, Charles II. of England, disregarding the Dutch claim on 
New Netherland, made a ^ant to his brother, the Duke of York and 
Albany, which included alFthe mainland of New England, begin- 



OUTLINli HISTORY. 19 

ning at St. Croix, extending to the rivers Connecticut and Hudson, 
" together with the said river called Hudson's river, and all the lands 
from the west side of Connecticut river, to the east side of Delaware 
Bay." In order to enforce this claim of England for the New Nether- 
land, an expedition, consisting of three ships, 130 guns, and six hun- 
dred men, was sent against it, under the command of Col. Richard 
Nichols. On his arrival at Manhattan, Nichols demanded the sur- 
render of the fort. Gov. Stuyvesant was exceeding loth to surrender 
without an attempt at defence, but the favorable terms offered to the 
inhabitants disposed them to an immediate capitulation. After some 
fruitless negotiation, during which Gov. Stuyvesant pleaded the justice 
of the title of the States-General, and the existing peace between them 
and the English nation, the province was surrendered, August 27th, 
1664, upon the most liberal terms to the vanquished. 

Having taken possession of the country, Nichols assumed the gov- 
ernment, with the title of " Deputy-governor under his royal high- 
ness the Duke of York, of all his territories in America." New 
Amsterdam was now called, in honor of the Duke, New York, and 
Fort Orange, Albany. Gov. Nichols proceeded to erect a Court of 
Assizes, consisting of the governor, council, and justices oithe peace 
This court compiled a body of laws, collected from the ancient cus- 
toms and usages, with additional improvements, such as the times 
required, regarding English law as the supreme rule. These ordi- 
nances were sent to England, and confirmed by the Duke of York the 
following year. 

It is supposed that, at the time Nichols took possession of the 
province, the Dutch inhabitants were about 6000 in number. New 
Amsterdam, the metropolis, it is said, contained about 3000 persons, 
about half of whom returned to Holland. Their habitations, however, 
were soon occupied by emigrants, partly from Great Britain, but 
mostly from New England, Upon Hudson river there were many 
Dutch settlers ; and upon the shores of the Delaware, there were 
numerous plantations of Dutch and Swedes. 

Col. Nichols, after having governed the province about three years, 
resigned his office, and Col. Francis Lovelace was appointed by the 
duke to succeed him. Lovelace assumed the government in 1667, 
and continued his administration till the colony was re-surrendered 
to the Dutch. War having been declared against Holland, a small 
squadron was sent over by the Dutch, which arrived at Staten Island 
July 30th, 1673. Lovelace being absent from New York, Captain 
Manning, who had the charge of the town, rejected the aid of the 
English inhabitants, who offered to defend the place, sent a messenger 
to the enemy, and struck his flag before their vessels appeared in 
sight. As the fleet advanced, the garrison showed their willingness 
to fight ; but Manning forbade a gun to be fired, under pain of death, 
and surrendered the place unconditionally to the invaders. He was 
afterwards tried by a court-martial, and pleaded guilty to all the 
charges preferred. His sentence was as extraordinary as his con- 
duct ; it was, that, " though he deserved death, yet, because he had 



20 OUTLINE HISTORY. 

since the surrender been in England, and seen the king and duke, it 
was adjudged that his sword should be broke over his head, in pub- 
lic, before the City Hall ; and himself rendered incapable of wearing 
a sword, and of serving his majesty for the future, in any public trust 
in the government." 

Anthony Clove was constituted the Dutch governor, but he remained 
in the office but a short period. A treaty of peace, in 1674, was 
concluded between the Dutch and English, by which New Nether- 
land was restored to the English. The Duke of York, to remove all 
controversy respecting his property in America, took out a new patent 
from the king, and commissioned Major Edmund Andros " Governor 
of New York, and all his territories in these parts." Andros, as the 
agent of a despotic master, was unpopular to the people under his 
government, and involved himself in disputes with the neighboring 
government of Connecticut. 

The province of New York, about the year 1678, contained twenty- 
four towns, villages, and parishes. Fifteen vessels, on an average, 
traded yearly with England, importing EngUsh manufactures to the 
value of £50,000 sterling. Its annual exports, besides pease, beef, 
pork, tobdtico, and peltry, consisted of about sixty thousand bushels 
of wheat. The city of New York contained 3,430 inhabitants, and 
ovmed only three ships, eight sloops, and seven boats. " A trader 
worth £500 was considered a substantial merchant ; and the planter, 
worth half that sum in movables, was accounted rich. All the es- 
tates in the colony were valued at £150,000. Ministers were scarce, 
and religions many. The duke maintained a chaplain at New York, 
which was the only certain endowment of the church of England. 
There were about twenty houses for public worship, of which about 
half were vacant. The law made it obligatory upon every district 
to build churches, and provide for their ministers, whose compensa- 
tion varied from £40 to £70 a-year, besides a house and garden. 
But the Presbyterians and Independents, the greater and more sub- 
stantial portion of the inhabitants, only, showed much willingness to 
comply with the requisition. There were no beggars in the province, 
and the poor were well cared for. The militia amounted to 2000, 
mcluding 140 horsemen ; and some regular troops were maintained 
for the forts at Albany and New York." 

Col. Thomas Dongan arrived at New York, in August, 1683, as 
the successor of Andros in the government. He immediately, on the 
request of the magistrates of New York, gave orders that an assem- 
bly should be elected by the freeholders. This assembly, consisting 
of a council of ten, and eighteen representatives, convened at Hemp- 
stead on the 17th of October. They passed an act of general natural- 
ization ; an act declaring the liberties of the people, or a Bill of Rights ; 
one for defraying the expense of government ; and a few others, regu- 
latmg the mternal affairs of the province. In 1686, James II. having 
come to the throne, on the renewal of Gov. Dongan's commission, 
refused to confirm the privileges granted when he was Duke of York. 
The assembly was prohibited, and orders were given to Dongan to 



OUTLINE HISTORY. 21 

" suffer no printing-press in his government." Much disaffection 
arose at this time, among the colonists, on account of the appointment 
of professed Cathohcs to the principal crown offices. At this period 
there were in the province 4000 foot, 300 horse, and one company 
of dragoons. The shipping, belonging to the city of New York, had 
increased to nine or ten three-masted vessels, of about 80 or 90 tons ; 
200 or 300 ketches or barks, of 40 tons ; and about twenty sloops, 
of twenty-five tons. 

In 1687, the French court aimed a blow, which threatened the 
British interests in North America. M. Denonville, with 1 500 French 
and 500 Indians, took the field against the Senecas, one of the con- 
federated tribes of the " Five Nations" who were the friends of the 
English. An action took place near the principal Seneca village, in 
which 100 Frenchmen, ten French Indians, and about eighty of the 
Senecas were killed. Denonville, the next day, marched forward to 
burn the village, but found it in ashes. The Senecas had burnt it, 
and fled. After destroying the corn in this and several other villages, 
the French returned to Canada. For this attack, and other outrages 
committed by the French, the confederated Five Nations thirsted for 
revenge. " On the 26th of July, 1688, twelve hundred of their men 
landed on the south side of the island of Montreal, while the French 
were in perfect security, burnt their houses, sacked their plantations, 
and put to the sword all the men, women, and children, without the 
skirts of the town. A thousand French were slain in this invasion, 
and twenty-six carried into captivity, and burnt alive. Many more 
were taken prisoners in another attack, in October, and the lower part 
of the island wholly destroyed ; only three of the confederates were 
lost, in all this scene of misery and desolation." Nothing but the 
ignorance of the Indians, in the art of attacking fortified places, saved 
Canada from being utterly cut off. 

In 1688, it was determined to add New York and the Jerseys to 
the jurisdiction of New England, and Sir Edmund Andros was ap- 
pointed captain-general and vice-admiral over the whole. Governor 
Dongan was removed from his office of governor, and Francis Nichol- 
son, who had been lieutenant-governor under him, was appointed in his 
stead. The constitution, established on this occasion, was a legisla- 
tive and executive governor, and a council, who were appointed by 
the king, without the consent of the people. The news of the acces- 
sion of William and Mary, in 1689, to the throne of England, was 
joyfully received in New York. Andros, the tyrant of New Eng- 
land, was seized at Boston. Jacob Leisler, with forty-nine men, 
seized the fort at New York, and held it for the protestant king and 
queen of England. 

Leisler's assumption of the command at New York excited a spirit 
of envy and hatred among many of the people, at the head of whom 
were Col. Bayard and the Mayor, who, unable to make any effectual 
resistance, retired to Albany. A letter arriving from the English 
ministry, addressed " To Francis Nicholson, Esq., or, in his absence, 
to such as, for the time being, take care for preserving the peace and 



22 OUTLINE HISTORY. 

administering the laws in his majesty's provmce of New York, &c.," 
to do every thing pertaining to the office of Ueutenant-governor, till 
fai'ther orders — Nicholson having absconded, Leisler considered the 
letter as addressed to himself, and accordingly assumed the office of 
governor. The people of Albany, though friendly to William and 
Mary, refused subjection to Leisler. They were however compelled 
to submit to his authority by an armed force under Milborn, his son- 
in-law. The colonists continued in a state of contention nearly two 
years. During this period, the French and Indians from Canada, in 
1690, surprised Schenectady, and massacred sixty men, women, and 
children. 

In 1691, Col. Henry Sloughter arrived at New York, as governor 
of the province ; which was, at this time, by an act of the assembly, 
divided into ten counties. The arbitrary acts of James were repealed, 
and the former privileges of the colonists were restored. Leisler 
and Milborn, having made a foolish attempt to retain their authority, 
were imprisoned on a charge of high treason. They were tried by 
a special commission, and sentenced to suffer death. Gov. Sloughter 
hesitated to command their execution, and wrote to the English min- 
isters for directions how to dispose of them. Their enemies, fearing 
the result of this application, made a petition for, and earnestly pressed 
their execution. " The governor resisted, until, having been invited 
by the petitioners to a sumptuous entertainment, he was, when his 
reason was drowned in wine, seduced to sign the death-warrant. 
Before he recovered his senses, the prisoners were executed." Slough- 
ter died suddenly, in July, 1691, and ended a short, weak, and turbu- 
lent administration. 

Upon the death of Sloughter, the government, pursuant to the late 
act for declaring the rights of the people, committed the chief com- 
mand to Richard Ingoldsby. His authority was terminated by the 
arrival of Col. Benjamin Fletcher, who arrived with the commission 
of governor, in August, 1692. Fletcher is represented as a man of 
violent temper, shallow capacity, and avaricious disposition. He 
made considerable disturbance, by his efforts to establish the Episco- 
pal form of church government in the province. By virtue of a com- 
mission which he held, Fletcher attempted to take the command of 
the militia of Connecticut ; and went to Hartford, in that colony, 
while the legislature were in session, to compel obedience. While 
attempting to have his commission read to the train-bands at that 
place, Capt. Wadsworth, their senior officer, ordered the drums to 
beat, and told Fletcher, who commanded " silence," that if he was 
interrupted he would " make the sun shine through him." Fletcher 
upon this desisted, and returned to New York. 

Early in 1693, Count Frontenac, with a force of 6 or 700 French 
and Indians, made an incursion into the Mohawk country, and sur- 
prised an Indian village on the river, slew many of the inhabitants, 
and took 300 prisoners. Col. Schuyler hastened to the assistance of 
his allies, and with about 300 Indians, mostly boys, followed the re- 
treating enemy, and several skirmishes ensued. When the French 



OUTLINE HISTORY. 23 

reached the north branch of Hudson's river, a cake of ice opportunely 
served them to cross it ; and Schuyler, who had retaken about fifty 
Indians, desisted from the pursuit. The French, in this expedition, 
lost about eighty men, and such were their sufferings, that they were 
compelled to eat their own shoes ; the Iroquois, while in pursuit, fed 
upon the dead bodies of their enemies. In 1696, Frontenac made 
another descent, with a large force, and spread devastation among the 
possessions of the Five Nations. After this expedition, the Indians 
in the English interest continued to harass the inhabitants near Mon- 
treal, and similar parties in the French interest to harass those 
near Albany, until the peace of Ryswick, in 1697. 

In 1698, Richard, Earl of Bellamont, arrived as the successor of 
Fletcher, and his commission included the governments of Massachu- 
setts and New York : and for the latter, he brought with him his 
kinsman, John Nanfan, as lieutenant-governor. Piracy, at this time, 
prevailed in the American seas to a great extent, and the inhabitants 
of several colonies were accused of giving the pirates aid. The most 
noted of these marauders was a Captain Kidd, the remembrance of 
whom is kept alive by the belief that he buried immense sums of money 
along the coast. To suppress piracy was one of the avowed purposes 
of the king, in selecting a man of the high rank, resolution, and integ- 
rity of the Earl of Bellamont. The earl died in 1701, and Nanfan, the 
lieutenant-governor, assumed the command. Lord Cornbury was 
appointed governor the following year. 

Cornbury began his administration by espousing one of the factions 
in the colony which had its rise from Leisler, who was executed for 
treason. By a series of outrageous acts, he endeavored to establish 
the Episcopal party. lie prohibited the Dutch ministers and teach- 
ers from exercising their functions without his special license, and 
imprisoned some of them for disobeying his orders. This tyrant was 
the grandson of the Earl of Clarendon, and first cousin of the queen. 
" Having dissipated his substance in riot and debauchery, and being 
compelled to fly from his creditors, he obtained from his patron the 
government of New York, which was confirmed by the queen, who 
added the government of New Jersey. His character is portrayed 
as a compound of bigotry and intolerance, rapacity and prodigality, 
voluptuousness and cruelty, united with the loftiest arrogance and 
the meanest chicane." His dissolute habits and ignoble manners 
completed the disgust with which he was universally regarded ; and 
when he was seen rambling abroad in the dress of a woman, the people 
beheld with indignation and shame the representative of their sove- 
reign and the ruler of the colony. In 1709, the queen was compelled 
to revoke his commission by the complaints of the people of New 
York and New Jersey. When deprived of his office, his creditors 
put him in prison in the province he had governed, where he remain- 
ed till the death of his father elevated him to the peerage, which 
entitled him to liberation. 

John, Lord Lovelace, Baron of Hurley, the successor of Cornbury, 
arrived in the province, December, 1708. The hopes entertained, 



24 OUTLINE HISTORY. 

from his exalted character, of a happy administration, were frustrated 
by his death on the succeeding 5th of May. The government now 
devolved upon Richard Ingoldsby, lieutenant-governor. His admin- 
istration of eleven months is chiefly distinguished by an unsuccessful 
attempt on Canada. In this attempt, the province of New York dis- 
covered much zeal. Besides raising several companies, she procured 
six hundred warriors of the Five Nations, paid their wages, and 
maintained a thousand of their wives and children at Albany while 
they were in the campaign, at the expense of about twenty thousand 
pounds. In 1710, Colonel Schuyler went to England, to press upon 
the ministry the importance of subduing Canada. The more effectu- 
ally to accomplish this object, he took with him five Indian chiefs, 
who gave Queen Anne assurances of their fidelity, and solicited her 
assistance against their common enemies, the French.* 

Brigadier-general Robert Hunter, a native of Scotland, arrived as 
governor of the province, in June, 1710. He brought with him three 
thousand Palatines, who, in the previous year, had fled to England 
from the rage of persecution in Germany. Many of these persons 
settled in the city of New York, others in Livingston Manor in Co- 
lumbia county, while others went into Pennsylvania. In 1711, the 
assembly of New York, in order to assist the enterprise under the 
command of Colonel Nicholson for the reduction of Canada, passed 
an act for raising troops, restricted the price of provisions, and issued 
10,000/. in bills of credit, to be redeemed by taxation in five years. 
Nicholson mustered at Albany two thousand colonists, one thousand 

* " The arrival of the five sachems in England, made a great bruit through the whole 
kingdom. The mob followed wherever they went, and small cuts of them were sold 
among the people. The court was at that time in mourning for the death of the Prince of 
Denmark ; these American kings were, therefore, dressed in black underclothes, after the 
English manner; but instead of a blanket, they had each a scarlet-in-grain cloth mantle 
edged with gold, thrown over all their other garments. This dress was directed by the 
dressers of the play-house, and given by the queen, who was advised to make a show of 
them. A more than ordinary solemnity attended the audience they had of her majesty. 
Sir Charles Cotterel conducted them in two coaches to St. James's ; and tiie Lord Cham- 
berlain introduced them into the royal presence. Their speech on the 19th of April, 1710, 
is preserved by Oldmixon, and is in these words : 

" Great Queen — We have undertaken a long voyage, which none of our predecessors 
could be prevailed upon to undertake, to see our great queen, and relate to her those things 
which we thought absolutely for the good of her, and us her allies, on the other side of tlie 
water. 

" We doubt not but our great queen has been acquainted with our long and tedious war, 
in conjunction with her children against her enemies, the French, and that we have been 
as a strong wall, for their security, even to the loss of our best men. We were mightily 
rejoiced when we heard our great queen had resolved to send an army to reduce Canada; 
and immediately, in token of friendship, we hung up the kettle, and took up the hatchet, 
and with one consent, assisted Colonel Nicholson, in making preparations on this side the 
lake : but at length, we were told our great queen, by some important affairs, was prevented 
in her design at present, which made us sorrowful, lest the French, who had hitherto dreaded 
us, should now think us unable to make war against them. The reduction of Canada is 
of great weight to our free hunting ; so that if our great queen should not be mindful of us, 
we must, with our famihes, forsake our country, and seek other habitations, or stand neuter, 
either of which will be much against our inclinations. 

•' In token of the sincerity of these nations, we do, in their names, present our great 
queen with these belts of wampum, and in hopes of our great queen's favor, leave it to her 
most gracious consideration." 



OUTLINE HISTORY. 25 

Palatines, and one thousand Indians, who commenced their march 
towards Canada on the 28th of August. A fleet, under the command 
of Admiral Walker, sailed from Boston with a land force of six thou- 
sand four hundred men, with the intention of joining Colonel Nich- 
olson before Quebec. The admiral arrived in the St. Lawrence 
early in August, but owing to fogs and tempestuous weather, eight or 
nine transports, with about a thousand men, were lost by shipwreck. 
This put an end to the expedition, and the admiral sailed for Eng- 
land. Nicholson, who had proceeded as far as Lake George, was 
compelled to retreat. The peace of Utrecht, signed March, 1713, 
put an end to hostilities, and continued till 1739. 

Governor Hunter, after a wise and popular administration, left the 
province in 1719, and the command devolved on Colonel Peter Schuy- 
ler. In September, 1 720, William Burnet, son of the celebrated Bishop 
Burnet, arrived as the successor of Governor Hunter. His administra- 
tion of seven years was prosperous. Soon after his arrival, for the 
purpose of securing the trade and friendship of the Six Nations, he 
erected a trading-house at Oswego, in the country of the Senecas. 
The great merit of Governor Burnet's administration consisted in his 
effectual efforts to diminish the trade and influence of the French 
with the northern Indians. He failed, however, in his endeavors to 
prevent the establishment of a French fort at Niagara, by which they 
secured to themselves the possession of the west end of Lake Ontario, 
as they had previously that of the east by the erection of Fort Fron- 
tinac many years before. The persecutions in France at this period, 
which ensued the revocation of the edict of Nantz, drove many of the 
protestant subjects of Louis XIV. into foreign countries. Many fled 
to this province. The most wealthy settled in the city : others planted 
New Rochelle on the East river, and a few seated themselves at 
New Paltz in Ulster county. 

In 1728, Colonel John Montgomery received from Governor Bur- 
net the seal of the province, and assumed the government. His short 
administration, terminated by his death in 1731, was one of tranquillity, 
and not distinguished by any important event. During his term, in 
1731, the boundary between New York and Connecticut was finally 
settled ; and a tract of land upon the Connecticut side, of 60,000 
acres, called the Oblong, was ceded to the former in consideration of 
another near the Sound, surrendered to the latter. 

Governor Montgomery was succeeded by Rip Van Dam, the old- 
est member of the council, and an eminent merchant of the city, who 
held the government until August, 1732, when William Cosby ar- 
rived, with a commission to govern this, and the province of New 
Jersey. The French, during this year, erected Fort Frederic at 
Crown Point, which gave to them the command of Lake Champlain. 
The finances at this period were much embarrassed ; while the fre- 
quent calls for supplies imposed a heavy burden upon the colony. 

In 1734, the establishment of a court of equity was agitated in the 
assembly. The governors had previously exercised the office of chan- 
cellor, which had at times excited the jealousy, and produced much 

4 



26 OUTTJNE HISTORY. 

controversy among the colonists. The court party insisted that the 
governor was, ex officio, chancellor of the colony, while the popular 
party warmly opposed this position. After the close of the session, 
there appeared in the paper called " Zenger's New York Weekly 
Journal," severe animadversions on the government. Several printed 
ballads likewise appeared, which ridiculed some of the members of 
the legislature. The governor and council considering the subject 
worthy of notice, voted that the obnoxious numbers of Zenger's 
paper, and two printed ballads, were derogatory to the dignity of his 
majesty's government, and tended to raise sedition and tumult. They 
likewise voted that said papers and ballads should be burnt by the 
common hangman. Zenger was imprisoned for eight months, and 
much ferment was produced in the colony. 

Governor Cosby died in March, 1736. One of his last acts was the 
suspension of Rip Van Dam from his seat as councillor of the pro- 
vince. After Cosby's death, the council immediately convened, and 
George Clarke, the senior councillor, next after Rip Van Dam, was 
declared president, and assumed the government. A powerful party, 
however, was formed in favor of Mr. Van Dam, as his suspension 
from the council was by many declared illegal. The sharp contro- 
versy on this point was ended in October, when Mr. Clarke received 
his commission as lieutenant-governor. 

During the administration of Governor Clarke, the colony was 
embroiled in controversies principally relating to the prerogatives of 
the governor on one hand, and the rights of the people on the other. 
In their second session, 1737, the house departed from their accus- 
tomed mode of proceeding, and instead of voting to take the govern- 
or's speech into consideration, voted that his honor the lieutenant- 
governor be addressed. This address is a remarkable production 
for the times in which it was formed. On the sul-ject of the revenue, 
the house adopted the following bold and energetic language: 

" The true causes of the deficiency in the revenue, we beHeve are too well known to 
your honor, to make it necessary for us to say much on that head. Had the conspicuous 
loyalty of the inhabitants of this province met with a suitable treatment in return, it is not 
unlikely that we should now be weak enough to act like others before us, in being lavish 
beyond our abilities, and raising sums unnecessary to be given, and continued the donation 
like them for a longer time than what was convenient for the safety of the inhabitants ; but 
experience has shown the imprudence of such a conduct ; and the miserable condition to 
which the province is reduced, renders the raising of large sums very difficult if not imprac- 
ticable. We therefore beg leave to be plain with your honor, and hope you will not take it 
amiss when we tell you, that you are not to expect that we will raise sums unfit to be 
raised, or put what we shall raise into the power of a governor to misapply, if we can pre- 
vent it ; nor shall we make up any other deficiencies than what we conceive are fit and 
just to be paid, or continue what support or revenue we shall raise for any longer time than 
one year ; nor do we think it convenient to do even that, until such laws are passed as we 
conceive necessary for the safety of the inhabitants of this colony, who have reposed a trust 
in us for that only purpose, and which we are sure you will think it reasonable we should 
act agreeable to, and by the grace of God, we shall endeavor not to deceive them." 

In 1738, Captain Norris, of the ship Tartar, then lying in the city of 
New York, made application to the mayor for liberty to impress thirty 
seamen to man his vessel. The governor and council ordered the 
mayor to cause the impressment to be made. The mayor refused to 



OUTLINE HISTORY. 27 

obey the order, and the governor and council prudently declined ta- 
king measures to enforce obedience. At the close of Clarke's admin- 
istration, the finances of the colony were in a depressed condition. 
" The duties on negro slaves, wine, rum, brandy, cocoa, and dry 
goods, from September, 1741, to September, 1742, amounted to 
£2,197 7s. l|d. only ; while the expenses of government, for about 
the same period, amounted to upwards of £4,600." 

In 1743, George Clinton, the son of the Earl of Lincoln, was ap- 
pointed to supersede Mr. Clarke as governor of the colony. His 
arrival was highly gratifying to the colonists, and a spirit of harmony 
prevailed. In 1744, war was declared between France and England, 
and great preparations were made on both sides, to carry it on with 
vigor. A similar spirit prevailed in their respective colonies in Amer- 
ica. Large appropriations were made by the assembly of New York 
to carry on the war. In 1745, the English colonies united in an ex- 
pedition against Louisburg, on Cape Breton Island. This important 
fortress was surrendered in June. Eight thousand pounds was voted 
by the assembly for the promotion of this enterprise. 

The country north of Albany was kept in a continued state of 
alarm by Indian warriors, who ranged in small parties, marking their 
course by conflagration and indiscriminate slaughter. The fort at 
Hoosic was captured by M. De Vaudreuil, in August, 1746 ; and the 
settlements at Saratoga were surprised, and many of the inhabitants 
killed or carried into captivity. These events caused much distress, 
and occasioned much alarm even in Ulster and Orange counties. The 
plan of the war, in 1746, was, that a squadron under the command 
of Admiral Warren, with a body of land forces, should proceed up 
the St. Lawrence ; while the troops from New York, and other colo- 
nies at the south, should be collected at Albany, and proceed against 
Crown Point and Montreal. The assembly of New York entered 
with great zeal upon this design : they levied a tax of £40,000, to re- 
deem bills issued for the occasion. In .Tuly, a congress of the Six 
Nations was held with the governor, at Albany, who was attended 
by Dr. Colden, Mr. Livingston, and Mr. Rutherford, members of the 
council. The indisposition of the governor prevented him from open- 
ing the council in person, and that duty fell upon Dr. Colden. The 
Indians formally renewed their pledge to unite zealously in the war 
against the French. The efforts of the colonies were, however, 
rendered nearly useless by the failure of the promised assistance from 
England. 

In April, 1748, the preliminaries of peace were signed at Aix-la- 
Chapelle, and hostilities soon after ceased. After the close of the 
war, the colony enjoyed a period of general tranquillity. The in- 
habitants vigorously pursued the arts of peace, and by industry, 
economy, and enterprise, repaired, in a great measure, the losses sus- 
tained in the preceding war. In 1750, the entries at New York were 
two hundred and thirty-two, and the clearances two hundred and 
eighty-six. Above six thousand tons of provisions, chiefly flour, were 
exported, besides large quantities of grain. 



28 OUTLINE HISTORY. 

Governor Clinton having resigned, Sir Danvers Osborne arrived as 
his successor, in October, 1753. " Clinton is represented to have been 
mercenary ; to have used every plausible device, for enhancing the 
profits of his government ; to have sold offices and even the rever- 
sions of such as were ministerial ; and to have amassed a fortune, 
during his administration of ten years, of more than £80,000 sterling. 
He became, afterward, governor of Greenwich Hospital." The ad- 
ministration of Sir Danvers Osborne endured but a few days only. 
Five days after his arrival, he was found suspended by the neck in 
the garden of Mr. Murray, with whom he resided. This unfortu- 
nate gentleman is supposed to have committed suicide on account 
of grief for the loss of his wife, and by the embarrassments which 
he apprehended would attend the exercise of his office as gov- 
ernor. 

James de Lancey, who ha:d been appointed lieutenant-governor by 
one of the last acts of Governor Clinton, on the death of Osborne 
assumed the administration of government. At this period, the Eng- 
hsh and French extended their settlements in the colonies, and each 
were anxious to secure the most eligible situations for trading-houses 
and forts. Mutual complaints of aggression were soon followed by 
open acts of hostility. 

In 1754, a convention of delegates from New Hampshire, Massa- 
chusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, and Maryland, 
with the lieutenant-governor and council of New York, was held at 
Albany, for the purpose of uniting upon some scheme for the com- 
mon defence. The plan for a political union, drawn up by Dr. Frank- 
lin, a delegate from Pennsylvania, was adopted on the 4th of July. 
This plan had the singular fortune to be rejected by the provincial 
assemblies, because it gave too much power to the crown ; and, at 
the same time, to be rejected by the crown, because it gave too much 
power to the people. 

In September, 1755, Sir Charles Hardy, a distinguished naval offi- 
cer, arrived in New York with commission of governor. Being 
ignorant of civil affairs, he put himself into the hands of Mr. De 
Lancey, and was guided altogether by his counsels. Early in the 
spring of this year, the colonies made preparations for vigorous exer- 
tions against the enemy. An expedition was planned against the 
French in Nova Scotia, another against the French on the Ohio, a 
third against Crown Point, and a fourth against Niagara. The first 
expedition resulted in the reduction of Nova Scotia. That against 
the French on the Ohio failed by the defeat of General Braddock, 
who was drawn into an ambuscade of French and Indians near Fort 
du Quesne. The expedition against Crown Point, commanded by 
Gen. Wm. Johnson, though unsuccessful in its main object, served, in 
a measure, to dispel the gloom occasioned by the defeat of Braddock. 
Governor Shirley, of Massachusetts, took the command of the expe- 
dition against Niagara. He advanced to Oswego, where, being poorly 
supplied with provisions, the expedition was abandoned, and the troops 
returned to Albany. During the winter and spring following, ma- 



OUTLINE HISTORY. 29 

rauding parties of western Indians committed many atrocities in the 
counties of Orange and Ulster. 

In the plan of operations for the campaign of 1756, Niagara and 
Crown Point, then in possession of the French, were the principal 
points of attack. Owing to the improvidence of Gen. Abercrombie, 
then in command, in the absence of Lord Loudon, nothing of import- 
ance was effected by the English forces. In August, Marquis de 
Montcalm, commander of the French troops in Canada, captured the 
two forts at Oswego, which he demolished, took 1,600 men prisoners, 
with 120 cannon, 14 mortars, two sloops-of-war, 200 boats and bat- 
teaux, with a large quantity of stores and provisions. The campaign 
of 1757 was equally unsuccessful on the part of the English, Fort 
William Henry, on Lake George, with a garrison of 3,000 men under 
Col. Munro, was compelled, after a brave defence, to surrender to 
Montcalm. This event gave the French the command of the lake 
and the western frontier. 

In 1758, the celebrated William Pitt, Lord Chatham, now placed at 
the head of the British ministry, gave a new tone to their measures, 
and a fresh impulse to the colonies. The tide of success was soon 
turned in favor of the English, which continued, with few exceptions, 
4ill Canada was subjected to their arms. The plan for this year com- 
prehended three expeditions, viz, Louisburg, Ticonderoga, and Fort 
du Quesne. Louisburg surrendered to Gen. Amherst in July. Gen. 
Abercrombie, with an army of 16,000 men, passed Lake George and 
made an attack on Ticonderoga. After a contest of four hours, he 
was compelled to retire with the loss of nearly two thousand in 
killed and wounded. Abercrombie, after his defeat, sent Col. Brad- 
street, with 3,000 men, against Fort Frorrtenac, on the northeastern 
side of the outlet of Lake Ontario. Bradstreet sailed down the lake, 
landed within a mile of the fort, and in two days compelled it to 
surrender.* The garrison at Fort du Quesne, unsustained by their 
savage allies, on the 24th of November abandoned and burnt this 
fortress on the approach of the British army under Gen. Forbes. 

Great Britain, having resolved to annihilate the French power in 

* The expedition under Col. Bradstreet consisted of the following troops : — Regulars, 
135 ; Royal artillery, 30 ; New York provincials, 1,112 ; Massachusetts do., 675 ; New Jer- 
sey do., 412 ; Rhode Island do., 318 ; batteau-men, 300 ; and about 60 rangers ; in all 
3,035. The regulars were commanded by Capt. Ogilvie, and the artillery by Lieut. Brown, 
The New York troops consisted of two detachments. The first commanded by Lieutenant, 
colonel Charles Clinton, of Ulster, amounting in the whole to 440, under Capts. Ogden, of West- 
chester, Peter Dubois, of New York, Samuel Bladgely, of Dutchess, and Daniel Wright, oi 
Queens. The second was commanded by Lieutenant-colonel Isaac Corse, of Queens, and 
Major Nathaniel Woodhull, of Suffolk, amounting to 668, under Captains Elias Hand, of Suf- 
folk, Richard Hewlett, of Queens, Thomas Arrowsmith, of Richmond, William Humphrey, 
of Dutchess, Ebenezer Seeley, of Ulster, and Peter Yates and Goosen Van Schaick, of Al- 
bany. The troops left Fort Stanwix, August 14th, 1758, and the fort capitulated on the 
27th. The commander of the fort was exchanged for Col. Peter Schuyler. Col. Corse, 
who had distinguished himself in the three preceding campaigns, with a part of his troops, 
volunteered to erect a battery, in the night of the 26th, in the midst of the enemy's fire, 
■which in the morning commanded their fort, and led to an immediate surrender. The 
colonel received a slight wound, but not so severe as to unfit him for duty. The detach- 
ment returned to Fort Stanwix the 10th of September." — Gordon's Gaz. of New York. 



30 OUTLINE HISTORY. 

America, made adequate preparations for the campaign of 1759. 
The colonies now displayed that zeal with which men pursue their 
interests when animated with well-founded hopes of success. The 
legislature of New York authorized a levy of 2,680 men, and issued 
the sum of £100,000 in bills of credit, bearing interest, and redeem- 
able in 1768, by the proceeds of an annual tax. The impositions, in 
the space of five months of the year 1759, amounted to $625,000. 
At the instance of Gen. Amherst, a loan of £150,000 was made to 
the crown, which was paid in specie. 

The contemplated points of attack, in 1759, were Ticonderoga, 
Crown Point, Niagara, and Quebec. Gen. Amherst took Ticonde- 
roga, and proceeded to Crown Point, which surrendered without op- 
position. In July, Gen. Prideaux invested Niagara, but was slain by 
the bursting of a cohort in the trenches. The fort was, however, 
captured by Sir William Johnson, who succeeded him in command. 
On the 13th of September, a severe battle was fought between the 
British forces under Gen. Wolfe, and the French under Montcalm. 
Both these commanders were killed, the French were defeated, and 
Quebec surrendered to the British arms. In the ensuing spring of 
1760, the French made a fruitless attempt to recover Quebec. On 
the 8th of September, Montreal, Detroit, Michilimackinac, and all 
other places within the government of Canada, were surrendered to 
his Britannic majesty. 

The conquest of Canada, by preventing the incursions of the French 
and Indians into the territory of New York, removed a great obstacle 
to the prosperity of the colony. Gov. De Lancey died suddenly, 
July 30th, 1760. Cadwallader Colden assumed the government, as 
president of the council, and received the appointment of lieutenant- 
governor in August, 1761. Mr. Colden was superseded by General 
Robert Monckton on the 26th of October. This gentleman being 
placed at the head of an expedition against Martinique, on the 15th 
of November, left the government of the province to Mr. Colden, 
under an agreement for an equal division of the salary and per- 
quisites. 

In 1763, the celebrated controversy with New Hampshire, respect- 
ing boundaries, commenced. The territory in question comprised the 
country between Connecticut river and Lake Champlain, since known 
as Vermont. The original character of the colonies, owing to im- 
perfect surveys of the country, were many of them extremely indefi- 
nite, vague, and often contradictory. A grant was made in 1664 
and 1674, by Charles II. to his brother, the Duke of York, containing, 
among other parts of America, " all the lands, from the west side of 
Connecticut river, to the east side of Delaware bay." This territory 
was, however, by many supposed to fall within the limits of New 
Hampshire, although claimed by New York, by virtue of the grant 
made to the Duke of York. 

The government of New Hampshire, in 1760, made large grants 
of land to settlers west of Connecticut, and the settlements progressed 
with astonishing rapidity. In 1763, one hundred and thirty-eight 



OUTLINE HISTORY. 31 

townships had been granted by New Hampshire, extending as far 
west as the shore of Lake Champlain, and to what was esteemed 
twenty miles east of Hudson river. To check these proceedings, 
Gov. Golden issued a proclamation, claiming jurisdiction as far east 
as Gonnecticut river. He also commanded the sheriff of Albany 
county to make return of all persons, who, under the New Hampshire 
grants, had taken possession of lands west of the river. In opposi- 
tion to this, the governor of New Hampshire issued a proclamation, 
declaring the grant of the Duke of York to be obsolete, and that 
New Hampshire extended as far west as Massachusetts and Con- 
necticut. 

Application having been made to the crown, a decision was ob- 
tained in 1764, by which the western bank of Connecticut river was 
declared to be the boundary line between the provinces of New 
Hampshire and New York. The government of New York proceeded 
to organize the new territory, and to exercise jurisdiction. The new 
district was divided into four counties. The southwestern part was 
annexed to the county of Albany, and the northwestern part formed 
into a county, by the name of Charlotte ; east of the Green Moun- 
tains were formed the counties of Gloucester and Cumberland. Courts 
were held in these counties, the grants of land under New Hamp- 
shire were declared illegal, and the settlers required to take out new 
charters from New York. Some of the towns complied, and pur- 
chased their lands the second time, but the greater part refused. Ac- 
tions of ejectment were commenced in Albany against several of the 
ancient settlers, which were decided in favor of the New York titles. 
When the executive officers came to eject the inhabitants, they gene- 
rally met with opposition, and were not allowed to proceed in the 
execution of their offices. The militia were called out to support 
the sheriff; but as they agreed in sentiment with the settlers, they 
disbanded themselves on the appearance of armed opposition. As 
the efforts of the government were continued, mobs were raised, the 
opposition of the settlers became more bold and daring, and was fre- 
quently characterized by acts, of outrage and violence. 

In 1765, much excitement was produced by the stamp act, passed 
by the British parliament, for the purpose of raismg a revenue from 
the colonies. This act ordained that all instruments of writing, such 
as deeds, bonds, notes, &c., among the colonies, should be null and 
void, unless executed on stamped paper, for which a duty should be 
paid to the crown. In October, a congress of twenty-eight delegates, 
from Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New 
Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and South Carolina, was 
held at New York, to consult on the common interest. They made 
a declaration of the rights and grievances of the colonies, and peti- 
tioned for redress. In Connecticut and New York originated an 
association of persons styling themselves the " Sons of Liberty," 
which extended into other colonies, who bound themselves, among 
other things, to march to any part of the continent, at their own ex- 
pense, to support the British constitution in America : by which was 



32 OUTLINE HISTORY. 

understood, the prevention of any attempt to carry the stamp act into 
operation. 

In New York, Peter de Lancey, James M'Evers, and other stamp 
officers, obeyed the pubhc voice, and renounced their commissions. 
Gov. Golden, having taken the oath to execute the stamp act, became 
the object of popular indignation. His effigy was carried about the 
city and hung ; his carriage and other property w^ere burned ; and 
his person was probably preserved from violence, only by his ad- 
vanced age. When the stamps arrived, they were lodged in the fort, 
which the governor, contrary to the advice of his council, put into a 
state for defence. He was obliged to surrender their custody to the 
city corporation, on the assurance of being responsible for their value, 
and to declare that he would take no measures to enforce the act, but 
leave the subject to his successor, who was hourly expected. Sir 
Henry Moore, Bart., who was commissioned governor in July, 1765, 
met the council on the 13th of November following, and proposed at 
once to attempt the execution of the stamp act. The unanimous ad- 
vice of his council, and the demonstration of public feeling, induced 
him to a more prudent course. 

Gov. Moore's administration was terminated by his death, in Sep- 
tember, 1769. During his term of service elforts were made, unsuc- 
cessfully, to settle the boundaries between this province and Massa- 
chusetts, who claimed territory to the Pacific Ocean. Emigrants 
from Massachusetts intruded into the counties along the Hudson, and 
settled even in the manor of Rensselaerwyck. They were frequently 
removed by force, and blood was shed more than once in the attempt. 
Commissioners from both colonies met at New Haven, October, 1767, 
who agreed that the western line of Massachusetts should be fixed 
at twenty miles east from Hudson river, but differed as to the man- 
ner in which that line should be determined. 

At the termination of Gov. Moore's administration, the supreme 
court consisted of four judges : Daniel Horsemanden, chief justice ; 
David Jones, second ; William Smith, third ; and Robert R. Livings- 
ton, the fourth justice. The first received £300, and the others 
£200 per annum. The salary of the governor had been increased, 
from time to time, to £2,000 per annum, with a perquisite of £400, 
granted as an appropriation for fire-wood and candles for Fort George. 
The attorney had £l50, and the colonial agent, Mr. Charles, at Lon- 
don, £500 per annum. The colony of New York contained, at this 
period, upwards of one hundred and sixty thousand inhabitants. 

By the death of Sir Henry Moore, the government again devolved 
on Mr. Golden. This his third administration, continued till Novem- 
ber, 1770, when he was superseded by John, Lord Dunmore. With 
the service of this nobleman commenced the practice of paying the 
governor by the crown. This practice was afterward denounced 
by most of the colonies as a serious grievance, as it made the govern- 
or independent of the assembly. Dunmore governed the colony until 
his removal to Virginia, when his place was supplied on the 8th of 
July, 1771, by William Try on, the last of the royal governors. 



OUTLINE HISTORY. 83 

In 1772, Governor Try on made an unsuccessful attempt to con- 
ciliate the minds of the settlers of the New Hampshire grants. In 
1774, the assembly passed an act by which it was declared felony, 
punishable by death, for any of these settlers to oppose the govern- 
ment by force. The governor at the same time made proclamation 
offering a reward of fifty pounds for the apprehension of Ethan Al- 
len, Seth Warner, and six others of the most obnoxious of the settlers. 
The inhabitants of the New Hampshire grants became still more 
violent in their opposition. The proscribed persons, in an address to 
the people of the county of Albany, made this public declaration : — 
" We will kill and destroy any person or persons whomsoever, who 
shall presume to be accessary, aiding, or assisting in taking any of us." 

In the spring of 1775, an event took place in the New Hampshire 
grants which exasperated both parties. At the time appointed for 
the session of the court at Westminster, in the disputed territory, 
some of the inhabitants in this and the adjacent towns took possession 
of the courthouse, to prevent the officers under the authority of New 
York from entering. The judges, on being refused admittance, retired 
to their quarters. About eleven o'clock at night, the sheriff" and other 
officers, attended by an armed force, repaired to the courthouse, 
when, being again refused admittance, some of the party fired into the 
house, killed one man, and wounded several. The people were highly 
inflamed by these rash proceedings. Some of the officers were seized, 
and carried to the jail at Northampton, Massachusetts. Matters now 
appeared about to be brought to a sanguinary crisis. But at this 
period, an event took place, which arrested the attention of all, and 
gave a new channel to the torrent of popular fury. The breaking 
out of the revolutionary war at Lexington, caused a suspension of 
local and provincial contests ; and the public mind was exclusively 
directed to the great contest now opening between Britain and 
America. 

In May, 1775, the second continental congress was to be assembled 
at Philadelphia. The subject of sending delegates to this body was 
agitated in the assembly of New York ; and on the refusal of that body 
to appoint them, a provincial convention was called by the people for 
this purpose. The convention assembled at New York on the 22d of 
April, and proceeded to make the appointments. This convention 
was composed of deputies from New York, Albany, Dutchess, Ulster, 
Orange, Westchester, Kings, and Suffolk counties. They appointed 
Philip Livingston, George Clinton, James Duane, John Alsop, Simon 
Boerum, William Floyd, John Jay, Henry Wisner, Philip Schuyler 
Lewis Morris, Francis Lewis, and Robert R. Livingston, Jr., dele- 
gates to the continental congress, who, or any five of them, were 
intrusted with full power to concert with the other colonies, and adopt 
those measures best adapted to sustain their rights. 

The news of the battle of Lexington, (19th of April, 1775,) caused 
a violent agitation in the city of New York, which prevailed for some 
days, until a new committee of superintendence, consisting of one 
hundred of the most respectable citizens, was formed at the instance 

5 



34 OUTLINE HISTORY. 

of the " committee of observation," It was resolved that a provincial 
congress ought to be speedily assembled, to assume the government 
of the colony, to prepare for defence, &c. It submitted at the same 
time the form of an association, to be signed by the inhabitants, de- 
claratory of their rights and liberties, and of their determination to 
sustain them. This association was signed by the whigs with great 
cordiality, and by the tories under the fear of, or by actual constraint. 
The inhabitants generally began to arise under the direction of com- 
mittees. Six hundred stands of arms were seized in the city arsenal 
and distributed among the people : another parcel was taken from 
the soldiery by Colonel Willet, when on the way to the hai'bor to be 
exported to Boston. 

It was deemed of importance, in order to put the country in a pos- 
ture of defence, to secure the fortresses at Ticonderoga and Crown 
Point. On the 10th of May, Colonel Ethan Allen took possession of 
Ticonderoga by surprise : on the same day. Crown Point was sur- 
rendered to Colonel Warner ; a third party surprised Skeensborough, 
(now Whitehall.) The capture of an armed sloop at St. Johns soon 
after, gave to the Americans the entire command of Lake Champlain. 
Governor Tryon, who had been absent on a visit to Europe, returned 
to New York on the 24th of June. He was much esteemed by 
many of the citizens, and received a complimentary address from the 
city authorities. His exertions to promote the royal cause, soon ren- 
dered him extremely unpopular. In October, he became alarmed for 
his personal safety, and retired on board of the Halifax packet. 

On the 22d of May, 1775, a provincial congress, consisting of about 
seventy members, convened at New York. The proceedings of the 
convention were determined by counties ; New York having four, 
Albany three, and each of the others two votes. Two regiments 
were authorized to be levied ; bounties were offered for the manufac- 
ture of gunpowder and muskets in the province ; fortifications were 
projected at Kingsbridge, and the Highlands ; and Philip Schuyler 
and Richard Montgomery were recommended, the first as major- 
general, the second as brigadier, to be appointed by the continental 
congress. 

Upon the adjournment of the congress, in September, for a month, 
they delegated their powers to a " Committee of Safety ;" and this ex- 
pedient was resorted to upon every subsequent" adjournment. Ordina- 
rily, this committee was composed of three members from the city, 
and one from each of the other counties. When on the re-assembling 
of the congress, and at other times, a quorum was not present, the 
members resolved themselves into a " committee of safety," and thus 
the public business was never interrupted. The committee was em- 
powered to execute the resolves of the provincial and general con- 
gresses, to superintend the military affairs of the province, to appro- 
priate money for the public service, and to convene the congress 
when and where they deemed necessary. 

While General Washington was engaged in organizing the main 
body of the American army in Massachusetts, an important expedi- 



OUTLINE HISTORY. 35 

tion was planned against Canada, the command of which was assign- 
ed to Generals Schuyler and Montgomery. General Schuyler having 
retired on account of ill health, Montgomery, with a force of one 
thousand men, proceeded to Montreal, and from thence led his gallant 
little army to Quebec. During his progress. Colonel Arnold, with a 
boldness and perseverance rarely surpassed, passed up the Kennebec 
river and pursued liis course through a trackless wilderness of three 
hundred miles, and joined Montgomery at Quebec. On the last day 
of the year, (1775,) General Montgomery, with a force of less than 
eight hundred, attempted to take Quebec by storm. This brave com- 
mander fell in the assault, and the Americans were repulsed with the 
loss of about half their number. Arnold, now in the command, en- 
camped about three miles from Quebec, where he maintained his 
position till spring. He was afterward compelled to make a disas- 
trous retreat, and by the 1st of July the whole army was driven from 
Canada. 

Congress being informed that a large number of the inhabitants of 
Tryon county were disaffected to the American cause, and, under the 
direction of Sir John Johnson, were making military preparation, re- 
solved to disarm them. General Schuyler, to whom this business 
was committed, in January, 1776, called out seven hundred of the 
Albany militia, and commenced his march. But such was the enthu- 
siasm of the people that, on his arrival at Caghnewaga, his force 
amounted to near three thousand, including nine hundred of the 
Tryon county militia. The approach of this formidable body awed 
the royalists into submission. The whole number disarmed was 
supposed to amount to about six hundred. About the same time, a 
considerable number were entrenching themselves on Long Island, 
in order to support the royal cause. A detachment of the Jersey 
militia was sent over, by whom they were disarmed, and their lead- 
ers secured. 

The fourth provincial congress convened at White Plains on the 
9th of July. This body took the title of " The Representatives of the 
State of New York," and exercised all the powers of sovereignty, 
until the establishment of the government under the constitution. On 
the first day of their meeting, they received from the continental con- 
gress The Declaration of Independence. They immediately passed 
an unanimous resolution, fully approving of the measure, and express- 
ing their determination at all hazards to support it. The convention, 
on the 16th of July, on the motion of Mr. Jay, declared that all per- 
sons abiding in the state, and who were entitled to the protection of 
the laws, who should aid or abet its enemies, should on conviction 
suffer death. 

In 1776, it was expected that the enemy would make New York 
their principal point of attack. Gen. Washington arrived in the city 
on the 14th of April, and great exertions were made for putting the 
place in a posture of defence. On the 22d of August, Lord Howe 
landed a force, estimated at 24,000 men, on Long Island, at Gravesend 
bay. The Americans, amounting to 15,000, under the command of 



36 OUTLINE HISTORY. 

Gen. Sullivan, were encamped on a peninsula near the village of 
Brooklyn. On the 27th, an obstinate battle was fought, and the Ameri- 
cans were compelled to retire to their entrenchments with great loss. 
On the night of the 30th, a safe retreat was effected from the island. 
On the 15th of September, the British took possession of New York, 
the American troops having retired to Harlaem and King's Bridge. 
A few days after the British took possession, a fire broke out, in which 
about one thousand houses were destroyed, being about one fourth 
part of the city. 

A large proportion of the distinguished and wealthy inhabitants of 
the city of New York, and many in the adjacent country, were loy- 
alists, and, of course, enemies to American independence. On the 
arrival of the British army, the disaffected in this part of the state 
and the neighboring parts of New Jersey, embodied themselves under 
officers selected by themselves. Oliver de Lancey was appointed a 
general, with authority to raise a brigade of tories, and a like com- 
mission was given to Courtland Skinner, of New Jersey. These 
troops committed many murders and robberies on both sides of the 
Hudson river, but more especially in Westchester county. The pro- 
vincial congress now adopted energetic measures. The " Council of 
Safety" were empowered to send for persons and papers, and to em- 
ploy miUtary force. By its dread power numerous arrests, imprison- 
ments, and banishments, were made throughout the state. Many 
tories and their families were sent into New York, others expelled the 
state, others required to give security to reside within prescribed 
limits ; and occasionally the jails, and even the churches, were crowded 
with its prisoners, and many were sent for safe-keeping to the jails 
of Connecticut. The personal property of those who had joined the 
enemy was confiscated. 

The American army being in point of numbers greatly inferior to 
that of the British, General Washington drew off the main body of 
his army from York Island, and encamped at White Plains. Lord 
Howe advanced upon him with 1 5,000 men. An engagement ensued 
on the 28th of October, but no decisive advantage was obtained ; the 
Americans retired to a strong position on the heights of North Cas- 
tle, which the enemy declined to attack. General Washington, leav- 
ing about 7,500 men under General Lee to defend North Castle, 
crossed the Hudson and continued his retreat to the southward. The 
American army continuing to retire from New York, Sir William 
Howe embraced the opportunity of reducing Fort Wasiiington and 
Fort Lee, on the Hudson. While these operations were going on in 
the southern part of the state, the northern division of the army, under 
General Gates, was engaged at the north in putting Ticonderoga in 
a state of defence, and made preparations to secure the command of 
Lake Champlain. General Arnold, who commanded the American 
fleet, being pursued, was obliged to blow up his vessels, and, after 
firing the fortress at Crown Point, retreated to Ticonderoga. The 
British general, Carlton, after reconnoitering the latter place, deemed 
it prudent on the approach of winter to return to Canada. 



OUTLINE HISTORY. 37 

The state convention, driven from New York, convened from time 
to time at Harlaem, King's Bridge, Philip's Manor, Fishkill, White 
Plains, Poughkeepsie, and Kingston. On the 1st of August, 1776, a 
committee was appointed to report a constitution. The draft of this 
instrument, which was prepared by Mr. Jay, was reported on the 
12th of March, and finally adopted on the 20th of April, 1777. It 
was amended by convention in October, 1801, and superseded by the 
present constitution in November, 1821. The constitution of 1777 
was republican in its character. The supreme executive power was 
vested in a governor and lieutenant-governor, who was to preside 
over the senate, and perform the duties of the governor in case of 
vacancy. The legislative power was vested in the senate and house 
of assembly, who were to hold at least one session every year. The 
governor and members of the senate and house of assembly, were 
to be elected by the freeholders of the state of New York. 

The returns of the first elections under the new constitution were 
made to the Council of Safety, July 9th, 1777. General George 
Clinton was chosen governor, and was sworn into office on the 30th 
of the same month, at Kingston, being then in the active command of 
the New York militia. He did not quit the field until after the defeat 
of Burgoyne, but discharged such civil duties as devolved on him, by 
correspondence with the Council of Safety. At the adoption of the 
constitution, the state was divided into fourteen counties : New York, 
Richmond, Kings, Queens, Suflfolk, Westchester, Dutchess, Orange, 
Ulster, Albany, Tryon, Charlotte, Cumberland, and Gloster ; the two 
last form part of the present state of Vermont. The first six (except 
part of Westchester and part of Orange) remained in possession of 
the enemy until the peace, the highlands forming the great barrier to 
his farther advance from the south. 

The principal object of the British in the campaign of 1777, was 
to open a communication between the city of New York and Canada, 
and to separate the New England from the other states. The plan 
consisted of two parts : General Burgoyne, with the main body of 
the army from Canada, was to advance by the way of Lake Cham- 
plain, and effect a junction, at Albany, with the royal army from New 
York. A detachment of British soldiers and a large body of Indians, 
under Colonel St. Leger, with a regiment of New York loyalists, 
under Sir John Johnson, were to ascend the St. Lawrence to Lake 
Ontario, and penetrate towards Albany by way of the Mohawk river. 
General Burgoyne, with an army of more than 7,000 men, exclusive 
of a corps of artillery and a large body of Indians, invested Ticon- 
deroga on the 30th of June. This fortress was abandonded by 
General St. Clair, on the approach of the enemy. The rear-guard 
of the American army, consisting of 1 ,000 men, under Colonel War- 
ner, was overtaken and defeated at Hubbardston. General Schuyler, 
who commanded at Fort Edward, was obliged to retire to Saratoga 
before the superior force of the enemy. While the British were en- 
camped at Fort Edward, a detachment, under Colonel Baum, was 
sent to take possession of the American stores at Bennington, in the 



38 OUTLINE HISTORY. 

New Hampshire grants. General Stark collected the militia in that 
vicinity, and an obstinate engagement took place, in which the British 
were totally defeated. On the 3d of August, St. Leger, with about 
1,800 men, invested Fort Schuyler, under the command of General 
Gansevoort. He had a severe conflict with General Herkimer, who 
was advancing to the relief of the garrison, and was obliged to aban- 
don the siege and return to Montreal. General Burgoyne, having 
advanced as far as Saratoga, found himself surrounded by a brave 
army, from which he endeavored in vain to effect a retreat. In this 
extremity, on the 17th of October, he was compelled to surrender his 
whole army, consisting of more than 5,700 men, to General Gates. 

During the operations at Saratoga, Sir Henry Clinton, with three 
thousand men, proceeded up the Hudson, with the view of effecting 
a diversion in favor of Burgoyne. On the 6th of October, he made 
an attack on forts Montgomery and Clinton. These works were car- 
ried at the point of the bayonet, but most of the garrisons escaped. 
Forts Independence and Constitution were evacuated, and General 
Putnam, who had the command on the Hudson, retreated to Fishkill. 
General Tryon on the following day burned Continental Village, 
where considerable stores were deposited ; General Vaughan with a 
strong detachment, proceeding up the river, devastated the settle- 
ments along its banks, burned the village of Kingston, and then em- 
barked for New York. 

In the campaigns of 1778 and 1779, nothing decisive was effected ; 
the British engaged in no enterprise of much importance, and appear 
to have aimed at little more than to plunder and devastate the unpro- 
tected parts of the country. Many acts of cruelty were committed, 
and a great amount of public and private property destroyed. The 
main body of the American army was concentrated near West Point, 
for the protection of that important fortress. General Clinton, having 
seized the works at Verplanck's Neck and Stoney Point, General 
Washington formed a design for their recovery. The reduction of 
the fortress at Stoney Point by Gen. Wayne, by assault, on the 16th 
of July, 1779, was one of the most bold and daring enterprises which 
occurred during the war. 

The Indians of the Six Nations (with the exception of the Oneidas 
and a few others) had been induced by the presents and promises of 
Sir John Johnson, and with the desire of plunder, to invade the fron- 
tiers, and wherever they went they carried slaughter and devasta- 
tion. To put a stop to these incursions, congress, in August, 1779, 
sent General Sullivan with an army against them. Sullivan, with a 
force of 3,000 men, marched from Easton, Pennsylvania, to Tioga 
Point, where he was joined by General Clinton, who marched from 
the Mohawk with a force of about one thousand men. The Indians 
collected their forces, and took a strong position near Newtown, Tioga 
county, determining to resist the advance of Sullivan. They stood 
a cannonade for more than two hours, during which time they repelled 
several assaults ; they were, however, compelled to give way and 
abandon their works. Generals Sullivan and Clinton penetrated witli- 



OUTLINE HISTORY. 39 

out obstruction into the heart of the Seneca country, and spread deso- 
lation on every side. Eighteen towns and villages, besides hamlets 
and detached habitations, were burnt. All their fields of corn, their 
orchards and gardens, were entirely destroyed. By this summary 
proceeding the ardor of the Indian warriors was damped, and their 
inroads became much less frequent and destructive. 

At the period of this expedition, different parts of the state suffered 
severely from the depredations of detached parties of Indians. In 
July, Colonel Brandt, with a party of Indians and royalists, burned 
the JVLnisink settlement and took several prisoners. In August, the 
Indians with their tory associates destroyed the settlements at Cana- 
johane, and burnt a number of houses at Schoharie and Norman's 
creek. In October, these irruptions were renewed, a great extent of 
country about the Mohawk was laid waste, and many of the settlers 
were killed or made prisoners. 

During the year 1780 and 1781, the operations of the war were 
chiefly conducted in the southern states, the British occupying the 
city of New York and its vicinity. In 1780, a plot, fraught with im- 
minent danger to the American cause, was happily discovered. Gen- 
eral Arnold having solicited and obtained the command of West 
Point, entered into a negotiation with Sir Henry Clinton, to deliver 
that important fortress into the hands of the enemy. To facilitate 
the correspondence, John Andre, the adjutant-general of the British 
army, proceeded up the Hudson in the Vulture sloop-of-war, as near 
West Point as practicable, without exciting suspicion. On the night 
of September 21st, Andre went on shore in a boat, and met Arngld 
on the beach. Failing to get on board the Vulture again, Andre at- 
tempted to return to New York by land, in disguise. Receiving a 
passport from Arnold, he passed the guards and outposts without 
suspicion. When about thirty miles from New York, he was met 
by three militia-men, Paulding, Williams, and Van Wert, who, re- 
fusing the bribes which Andre offered, carried him to their command- 
ing officer. He was tried as a spy by a board of officers, condemned, 
and executed. 

The capture of Cornwallis at Yorktown, Virginia, convinced the 
British government of the impracticability of conquering the United 
States. The provisional articles of peace between the two countries 
weic signed at Paris, November 30th, 1782. On the 19th of April, 
1783, a formal proclamation of the cessation of hostilities was made 
throughout the army, and the definitive treaty, acknowledging the 
independence of the United States, was signed on the 30th of Sep- 
tember. The British troops evacuated New York on the 25th of 
November, and the Americans took possession the same day. 

The termination of the revolutionary war, and the adoption of the 
federal constitution in 1788, gave a new aspect to the affairs of the 
country. During the war a considerable portion of New York was 
in possession of the enemy, and many of its most fertile tracts open 
to their ravages : many of the new settlements were broken up. On 
the return of peace these were resumed, and many others commenced. 



40 OUTLINE HISTORY. 

which progressed with astonishing rapidity. Commerce, also, expe- 
rienced a rapid revival on the return of peace. In 1791, the exports 
to foreign ports amounted to above two million five hundred thousand 
dollars. In 1793, six hundred and eighty-three foreign vessels, and 
one thousand three hundred and eighty-one coasting vessels, entered 
the port of New York. 

The controversy relative to the New Hampshire grants still con- 
tinued. Frequent application had been made by both parties to the 
general congress for the interference of that body, but no decisive 
result was obtained. In 1789, the legislature passed an act in order 
to settle this controversy, and acknowledging the territory as an in- 
dependent state. Commissioners were mutually appointed, and in 
1790, after a controversy of twenty-six years, the subject was brought 
to an amicable adjustment. In 1791, the new state was admitted into 
the Union, with the name of Vermont. 

In 1786, the state of New York, to quiet or put at rest certain an- 
tiquated claims of Massachusetts to a portion of her territory, granted 
that state large tracts of vacant lands. These lands consisted of two 
parts : one part comprehended all that part of the state lying west 
of a line beginning at the north at the mouth of Great Sodus bay, 
on Lake Ontario, and running thence southerly to the north line of 
Pennsylvania, except one mile on the east side of Niagara river, and 
the islands in that stream. This tract consisted of six millions one 
hundred and forty-four thousand acres, and was called the Genesee 
Country. The other tract comprehended ten or twelve townships, 
of six square miles each, embraced in the counties of Broome and 
Tioga. These cessions embraced about 10,000 square miles, nearly 
one fourth of the state, New York ceding every thing, save sove- 
reignty, to Massachusetts without an equivalent. The government 
of Massachusetts sold the first tract to Oliver Phelps and Nathaniel 
Gorham, for one million of dollars, and the other to John Brown 
and others, for three thousand three hundred dollars and some cents. 

The " Military Lands" as they were called, were set apart by the 
legislature, in 1782, for the officers and soldiers of the state of New 
York, who should serve in the army of the United States till the end 
of the war, according to law. The military tracts contained about 
one million eight hundred thousand acres, comprehending, generally 
speaking, the counties of Onondaga, Cortland t, Cayuga, Tompkins, 
and Seneca, and parts of the counties of Oswego and Wayne. Pre- 
vious to the cession made to Massachusetts, and the grant made to 
the soldiers, the Indian title was not extinguished. Messrs. Phelps 
and Gorham, and the government of New York, had to extinguish 
these before settlements could be made. The first permanent settle- 
ment made in the western territory was by Hugh White, in 1784, in 
company with four or five families from Connecticut, who seated 
themselves at Whitestown, near Utica. 

A party of emigrants, in 1790 or 1791, made a road through the 
woods from the settlements of Whitestown to Canandaigua. Emigra- 
tion now increased from year to year. The winter was the season 



OUTLINE HISTORY. 41 

usually chosen for emigrating from New England to the western 
country. Then, as the country was shaded by forest trees, there was 
commonly snow enough for sleighing. In 179G, the British evac- 
uated forts Oswegatchie and Oswego, and immediately afterward set- 
ments were begun at these places. In 1797 and 1798, settlements 
were commenced at Lowville, Watertown, and Brownville, in the 
counties of Lewis and Jefferson. Settlements were now rapidly ex- 
tended on every side. The settlements along the great road from 
Utica to Genesee river, were mostly connected by the year 1800, and 
from that year the western country began to attain consequence in 
the councils of the state. 

In 1795, Governor Clinton, having for eighteen years discharged 
the office of governor, declined a re-election on account of sustaining 
the republican principle of rotation in office. He was succeeded by 
John Jay, who continued in the office till 1801, when Mr. Clinton 
again accepted a re-election. In 179G, the legislature granted the 
Oneida Indians an annuity of $5,552, in lieu of all former stipulations 
for lands purchased in 1795 ; $2,300 to the Cayugas ; and $2,000 to 
the Onondagas. A general organization act was passed in 1801, 
dividing the state into thirty counties. Mr. Clinton, having been 
elected vice-president of the United States, Morgan Lewis succeeded 
him as governor, in 1804. Mr. Lewis was succeeded by Daniel 
D. Tompkins, in 1807. Albany, the same year, was made the capi- 
tal of the state. 

In 1810, an act was passed by the legislature "for exploring the 
route of an inland navigation from Hudson's river to Lake Ontario 
and Lake Erie." Commissioners were appointed for this purpose, 
who made a I'eport the following year.* The subject now began to 
excite general interest, and a bill being introduced by Mr. Clinton, an 
act was passed, " to provide for the improvement of the internal navi- 
gation of the state." Commissioners were again appointed to solicit 

* The first legislative movement with reference to a communication Hke the present 
canal between the Hudson and Lake Erie, was brought about by the exertions of Mr. 
Joshua Forman, then a member of assembly from Onondaga county, who proposed to the 
House, February 4th, 1808, that " a joint committee be appointed, to take into consideration 
the propriety of exploring and causing an accurate survey to be made of the most eligible 
and direct route for a canal, to open a communication between the tide xoaters of the Hud- 
son and Lake Erie, to the end that congress may be enabled to appropriate such sums as 
may be necessary to the accomplishment of that great object." " The proposition," says 
Gordon, in his very able Gazetteer, " was received by the House ' with such expressions of 
surprise and ridicule, as are due to a very wild and foolish project.' It was fortunately, 
however, firmly sustained by the proposer and his friends, and finally sanctioned upon the 
principle, ' that it could do no harm and might do some good.' But the joint committee, pre. 
possessed in favor of the Oswego route, directed the surveyor-general to cause a survey of 
the rivers, streams, and waters in the usual route between Hudson river and Lake Erie, and 
such other route as he might deem proper : shifting to the surveyor-general the responsi- 
bility of countenancing a project deemed absurd. Six hundred dollars, only, could be pro. 

cured for the exploration When in January, 1809, Mr. Forman waited upon 

President Jefferson, and informed him that in view of liis proposal to expend the surplus 
revenues of the nation in making roads and canals, the state of New York had explored 
the route of a canal from the Hudson to Lake Erie, and had foimd it practicable ; and when 
he had described all the advantages anticipated, the president replied, ' that it was a very 
fine project, and might be executed a century hence.' " 

6 



42 OUTIJNE HISTORY. 

aid from the congress of the United States. De Witt Clinton and 
Governeur Morns were appointed to lay the subject before the gen- 
eral government. They proceeded to Washington, and presented a 
memorial to congress ; but were unsuccessful in their application to 
that body for assistance. In March, 1812, the commissioners again 
made a report to the legislature, and insisted that now sound policy 
demanded that the canal should be made by the state on her own 
account. The subject was, however, soon after suspended by the 
breaking out of the war with Great Britain. 

War having been declared in 1812, the attention of the Americans 
was early directed to the invasion of Canada, and troops to the num- 
ber of eight or ten thousand were collected along the line for this 
purpose. They were distributed into three divisions ; the northwest- 
ern army, under General Harrison ; the army of the centre, under 
General Stephen Van Rensselaer, at Lewiston ; and the army of the 
north, in the vicinity of Plattsburg, under General Dearborn, the 
commander-in-chief. Great exertions were also made in preparing a 
naval force upon the lakes, the command of which was intrusted to 
Commodore (Jhauncey. About the 1st of October, Commodore Chaun- 
cey, with a body of seamen, arrived at Sacketts Harbor ; several 
schooners which had been employed as traders on the lake were 
purchased, and fitted out as vessels of war. Lieutenant Elliot was 
despatched to Black Rock, to make arrangements there for building a 
naval force superior to that of the enemy on Lake Erie. 

On the 13th of October, a detachment of one thousand men under 
Colonel Van Rensselaer crossed the Niagara river at Lewiston, and 
attacked the British on the heights of Queenston. They succeeded 
in dislodging the enemy, but not being reinforced from the American 
side, as was expected, were afterward repulsed, and compelled to 
surrender. During the ensuing winter, the operations of the war on 
the New York frontier were mostly suspended. Some skirmishing 
took place along the St. Lawrence ; but the opposing enemies being 
divided by a barrier of ice, not sufficiently strong to admit of the 
transportation of artillery, no entei'prise of importance was attempted. 
In April, 1813, General Dearborn made dispositions for a descent 
upon York, the capital of Upper Canada. The enterprise was com- 
mitted to a detachment of one thousand seven hundred men, under 
the command of General Pike, assisted by the fleet under the com- 
mand of Commodore Chauncey. General Pike was killed in the 
attack, but the place, with large quantities of military stores, fell into 
the hands of the Americans. Commodore Chauncey having returned 
with the fleet to Fort Niagara, it was immediately resolved to make a 
descent upon Fort George, situated upon the opposite shore. An 
attack was made on the 27th of May, and after a short contest the 
place fell into the hands of the Americans. 

During these operations of the Americans, several enterprises were 
undertaken by the enemy. About the last of May, a detachment of 
about one thousand British soldiers, under Sir George Prevost, made 
an attack on Sacketts Harbor, but were repulsed with considerable 



OUTLINE HISTORY. 43 

loss. On the 10th of September, Commodore Perry captured the 
British fleet on Lake Erie. The operations on Lake Ontario were 
less decisive. During the latter part of summer and autumn, frequent 
skirmishes took place, but no important advantage was obtained by 
either party. After the victory on Lake Erie, great preparations 
were made for the conquest of Montreal. This object was to be 
effected by two divisions under Generals Wilkinson and Hampton, 
who were to effect a junction on the St. Lawrence. The division 
under Wilkinson moved down the river early in November ; on the 
11th, a severe but indecisive engagement with the enemy took place 
at Williamsburg. General Hampton made a short incursion into 
Canada, but no junction was effected. The enterprise against Mon- 
treal was abandoned, and the troops retired to winter quarters at 
French Mills, near St. Regis. Fort George was evacuated and blown 
up by the Americans. In December, the British crossed over above 
Fort Niagara, and took that place by storm. After the capture of the 
fort, they proceeded up the river and burnt Lewiston, Youngstown, 
Manchester, and the Indian village of Tuscai'ora. On the 30tii, a de- 
tachment of the British crossed over near Black Rock. They were 
feebly opposed by the mihtia, who soon gave way, and were totally 
routed. Having set fire to Black Rock, the enemy advanced to 
Buffalo, which they laid in ashes, thus completing the desolation of 
the Niagara frontier. 

Early in July, 1814, Fort Erie was taken by the Americans, and 
during the same month sanguinary battles were fought at Chippewa 
and Bridgewater. On the 11th of September, Sir George Prevost, 
with an army of fourteen thousand men, made a descent upon Platts- 
burg, and after a severe engagement was compelled to retire with 
great loss. The British fleet, under Commodore Downie, was cap- 
tured by Commodore Macdonough, on the same day. The war 
was terminated by the treaty of Ghent, signed by the commissioners 
of both countries, December 24th, 1814, and ratified by the president 
and senate on the 17th of the following February. 

On the termination of the war, the consideration of the great plan 
for the internal navigation of the state was resumed. During the 
session of 1817, a memorial was presented, signed by upwards of 
one hundred thousand citizens, calling upon the legislature to pass 
laws for the commencement and execution of the proposed canals. 
An act was accordingly passed, and large appropriations made for 
this purpose. The Erie and Champlain canals were immediately 
commenced and vigorously prosecuted. The Erie canal, from Al- 
bany to Buffalo, was completed in 1825, at an expense of about eight 
millions of dollars, and is one of the most magnificent works of the 
kind ever constructed. The Champlain canal, seventy-one miles in 
length, was completed in 1823, at an expense of $875,000. 

In 1817, Governor Tompkins was chosen vice-president of the Uni- 
ted States, and De Witt Clinton was elected to succeed him as gov- 
ernor of New York. In 1822, Mr. Clinton declining a re-election, he 
was succeeded by Joseph C. Yates. During this year, (1822,) the 



44 ALBANY COUNTY. 

constitution of the state having been revised by a convention at 
Albany the preceding year, was accepted by the people in January. 
In 1824, De Witt Clinton was again re-elected to the office of gov- 
ernor. He died suddenly, February 11th, 1828, and the duties of his 
office devolved on Nathaniel Pitcher, the lieutenant-governor. Mar- 
tin Van Buren was next elected governor. He entered on the duties 
of the office on the 1st of January, 1829, which, after holding for three 
months, he resigned. He was succeeded by Enos T. Throop, who 
exercised the office of governor from 1829 to 1833, when he was 
succeeded by William L. Marcy. Governor Marcy was succeeded 
in the office of governor by William H. Seward, in 1837. 



ALBANY COUNTY. 

Albany County was originally organized in 1683 ; but its limits 
have since been greatly altered. In the year 1768, there were but 
ten counties in the state, viz : New York, Westchester, Dutchess, 
Orange, Ulster, Albany, Richmond, Kings, Queens, and Suffolk. 
This county then embraced the whole of the territory of New York 
lying north of Ulster and west of the Hudson river, as well as all 
northward of Dutchess on the east side of the Hudson. Its greatest 
length now is 28, and greatest breadth 21 miles. The surface and 
soil are very much diversified. Along the Hudson are alluvial flats, 
nowhere exceeding a mile in width, susceptible in some places of 
high cultivation. From these flats, the surface rises abruptly 140 
feet, and thence gradually westward to the mountains. On the Mo- 
hawk, the land is broken, rugged, and naturally sterile ; on the west 
are the Helderberg Hills, precipitous and craggy, with a soil of cal- 
careous loam. Centrally the county consists of undulating grounds 
and plains, with small marshes and tracts of cold, wet sands and 
clay, but which of late years have been greatly fertilized by gypsum, 
converting the piney and sandy desert into fragrant clover and fruit- 
ful wheat fields. Still, large tracts in this county are unimproved 
and perhaps unimprovable ; but the greater portion is productive of 
wheat, of which a large surplus is annually sent to the New York 
market. The country is well watered by streams which, flowing 
from the highlands, empty into the Hudson, affording valuable hy- 
draulic power. This county is divided into ten towns. Population 
in 1840 was 68,536. 

Albany, the capital of New York, and the oldest city in the Uni- 
ted States, hes in 42° 39' 3" N. Lat., and 3° 12' E. Lon., from Wash- 
ington. It received its present name in the year 1664, in honor 
of James, duke of York and Albany, who afterward mounted the 
throne of England as James II. Its original Indian name was 
^ugh-negh-ta-da^ signifying, " the end of tlie pine woods,'' and this 



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ALBANY COUNTY. 45 

name for the same reason was applied by the aborigmes to the site 
of the city of Schenectady, where it is yet retained with a shght va- 
riation in the orthography. The Dutch named Albany " Beaver- 
wyck," [i. e. Beaver-town,] and afterward, " Willemstadt." It was 
never known as Fort Orange, or Urania, as has been asserted ; but 
the fort only was called Fort Orange.* Albany was probably never 
visited by a white maniiW Sept., 1610, when Hendricke Chrystance, 
who was sent up the river by Henry Hudson to explore the country, 
first landed here; and as far as can be learned from tradition and 
some documentary evidence, he landed somewhere in the present 
North Market street. In that or the succeeding year, a party of 
the Dutch built a blockhouse on the north point of Boyd's Island, a 
short distance below the Albany ferry. 

This house was erected for a two-fold purpose ; first, to open a 
trade with the Indians for furs ; the next, to secure themselves against 
any sudden attack from the savages. But it was soon demolished, 
for the next spring's freshet and ice swept the whole of it away. 
This party then chose a hill, subsequently called " Kiddenhooghten"-\ 
within two miles of Albany, for the erection of another trading- 
house. The Indians called this hill " Ta-wass-a-gun-shee," or the 
" Look-out Hill." Not long afterward, this spot was- abandoned, 
and a more convenient post selected. The place last chosen was in 
the vicinity of the house now called " Fort Orange Hotel," in South 
Market street. The Dutch there erected a Fort, " mounting eight 
stone pieces "X and called it " Fort Orange." 

Until after the year 1625, the Dutch did not contemplate making 
any permanent settlements in this state. They merely visited the 
country in the autumn and winter, with a view to the fur trade 
with the Indians, returning in the spring to Holland, or " Vader- 
landt." But in that year, the Dutch West India Company first en- 
tertained the idea of colonizing their newly discovered territories in 
America, and accordingly offered large appropriations of land to 
such families as should " settle" in their colony of New Netherlands. 
This soon brought many over, and from that period till 1635, several 
of our most respectable Dutch families arrived ; among them were the 
ancestors of the Van Schelluyne, Quackenboss, Lansing, Blocker, 
Van Ness, Pruyn, Van Woert, Wendell, Van Eps, and Van Rensse- 
laer families. 

It does not appear that any stone or brick building was erected 
here (the fort excepted) until the year 1647, when, according to 

* For most of the statements given respecting the early history of Albany, the authors 
are indebted to the " Historical Reminiscences," published in the American Journal, 1835. 

r Kiddenhooghten, or Kidds-heights or hill, received its name about the year 1701; and, 
according to tradition, in memory of the pirate Kidd, so celebrated " in song and story," 
who it is supposed concealed much of his ill-gotten treasure in the vicinity. It is, however, 
doubted whether Kidd ascended the Hudson as far as Albany. 

t According to Mr. Vander Kempt, the translator of our Dutch records, they were called 
" Stien-gestucken," or stone pieces, because they were loaded with stone instead of iron 
ball. They were formed of long and strong iron bars, longitudinally laid, and bound with 
iron hoops, and were of immense caUber. 



46 



ALBANY COUNTY. 



a " letter from Commissary De la Montagnie" to the Dutch gov- 
ernor at New Amsterdam, (New York,) a stone building was erected 
near the fort, and he complains of the " enormous libations" upon 
the occasion of celebrating its completion : " No less" (he says) 
"than 8 ankers (128 gallons) of brandy were consumed." 

About 100 years since, Albany was protected against sudden ir- 
ruptions from the Indians by the erection of palisades,* part of the 
remains of which were visible within the last forty years. Barrack 
(now Chapel) street, was the principal place for business. The gov- 
ernment of the city was extremely rigid, and often cruel ; it bore 
the character more of a military despotism than that of a civil po- 
hce ; heavy penalties were imposed for the least infraction of the 
laws regulating the trade with the Indians, and many families conse- 
quently ruined. This severity drove some of the "traders" to the 
Schenectady flats, where they intercepted a considerable portion of 
the fur on its way to Albany, and which occasioned for many years 
the most bitter animosities between the inhabitants of both places. 
The circulating medium then in use consisted principally of sewant, 
or wampum. 

Ministers of the reformed religion were regularly sent out from 
Holland to the colony. In 1657, the Rev. Gideon Schaats sailed 
from Amsterdam for this colony, and about the same time the Dutch 
West India Company wrote a letter, stating that they would send a 
hell and a pulpit, " for the inhabitants of Fort Orange, and of the vil- 
lage of Beaverwick, for their newly constructed little church." In 




Ancient Dutch Church, Albany. 

1715, this church became too small for the congregation, and the 
proprietors adopted a singular mode of enlarging it. Beyond and 
on every side of the ancient building, they sunk a new stone wall ; 



* These palisades consisted of large pieces of timber in close contact with each other, 
driven endwise into the ground, and gates or openings were made at suitable intervals, 
which were closed at night. 



ALB AN y COUNTY. 47 

on this foundation they raised a larger structure. Having thus com- 
pletely enclosed the first church, they took it down and removed the 
whole, with only the loss of public worship for three sabbaths. The 
new edifice, which had been constructed in this manner, was one 
story high, of Gothic appearance, having its windows richly orna- 
mented with coats of arms. This church, of which the preceding en- 
graving is a representation, stood about ninety-two years in the open 
area formed by the angle of State, Market, and Court streets. It 
was taken down in 1806, and the stone of which it was constructed 
was used in the erection of the South Dutch Church, between Hud- 
son and Beaver streets. Fort Orange, on the river bank, appears to 
have been but a slight fortification. In 1639, a complaint was 
made by the commandant of the fort to Gov. Stuyvesant, stating 
" that the fort was in a miserable state of decay, and that the hogs 
had destroyed a part of it." A later work built of stone was erected 
on the river hill, at the west end of State-street. The English Church 
was just below it, at the west end of a market. 

As has been stated, the government of Beaverwick, or Albany, 
while under the Dutch rule was rigid and arbitrary. It was in the 
hands of three or more " commissaries," appointed by the governor 
and council, who usually held their offices for one year. Without the 
permission of the commissaries, no one was allowed to build houses, 
buy or sell, or to establish manufactories, stores, shops, taverns, or 
beer-houses. In 1647, Jan La Battle applied for permission "to 
build a brewery," which was granted " on his paying yearly six heav- 
ers, a duty of perhaps of about eighty dollars. The duties were 
generally farmed out, or sold at auction ; and during this year and 
several years afterward, the duties on beer in Beaverwick exceeded 
eight hundred dollars. The fines imposed for the violation of ordi- 
nances were generally distributed in the sentence in this way : " one 
third to the church, one third to the public, and one third to the 
attorney-general." 

" Professor Kalm, who visited Albany in 1749, has left us some facts. All the people 
then understood Dutch. All the houses stood gable end to the street; the ends were of 
brick, and the side walls of planks or logs. The gutters on the roofs went out almost to 
the middle of the street, greatly annoying travellers in their discharge. At the stoopes 
(porches) the people spent much of their time, especially on the shady side ; and in the 
evenings they were filled with both sexes. The streets were dirty by reason of the cattle 
possessing iheir free use during the summer nights. They had no knowledge of stoves, 
and their chimnies were so wide that one could drive through them with a carl and horses. 
Many people still made wampum to sell to Indians and traders. Dutch manners every- 
where prevailed ; but their dress in general was after the English form. They were re. 
garded as close in traffic ; were very frugal in their house economy and diet. Their 
women were over-nice in cleanliness, scouring floors and kitchen utensils several times a 
week ; rising very early and going to sleep very late. Their servants were chiefly negroes. 
Their breakfast was tea without milk, using sugar by putting a small bit into the mouth. 
Their dinner was buttermilk and bread ; and if to that they added sugar, it was deemed 
delicious." — Watson's Sketches of Olden Times in New York. 

Albany was incorporated as a city, under Governor Dongan's 
administration, in 1686. The charter limits were one mile on the 
river, and extended northwest to the north line of the manor of Rens- 
selaer, and retaining that width thirteen and a half miles ; the fee simple 



48 



ALBANY COUNTY. 



of which was vested in the corporation. Its bounds were enlarged 
by the addition of part of the small town of Colonic, in 1815, which 
now forms the fifth ward. The government of the city is now lodged 
in a mayor, recorder, ten aldermen, and ten assistant aldermen, who 
are annually elected on the first Tuesday of May. The plat on which 
the city is built is uneven. A low alluvial flat extends along the river 
from fifteen to one hundred rods wide ; west of which rises abruptly 
a hill of clay and sand, in the first half mile one hundred and fifty- 
three feet, and in the next about sixty-seven feet high ; from this 
summit the country extends in nearly an even plain to Schenectady. 
The position of Albany, necessarily makes it a great thoroughfare. 
The completion of the canals has given it a great commercial im- 
portance, making it the entrepot for a great proportion of the pro- 
ducts destined for the New York market. To accommodate this 
trade, a basin has-been constructed by the citizens on the river, in 
which all the northern and western canal boats are received. It 
consists of part of the river included between the shore and a pier 
eighty feet wide, and four thousand three hundred feet long. The 
pier contains about eight acres, on which stores have been built, and 
where immense quantities of lumber and other articles of trade are 
deposited. The basin has an area of thirty-two acres. 




State and City Halls, Albany. 

The above is a west view of the State and City Halls, the fronts 
of which face the Academy Park, a small section of which appears 
on the left. The building on the right is the City Hall, constructed 
of white marble, hewed out by the state prisoners, at Sing Sing, and 
distinguished above all other edifices in this country by ito gilded 
dome, like the Invalides at Paris. It was completed in December, 1832. 
In the rotunda of this building there is a statue of Hamilton, a copy 
of that by Greenough, in the Merchants' Exchange, destroyed by the 
great fire in New York, in 1835. There are also two designs in bass- 
relief, executed by W. Coffee, at the cost of the citizens, commemora- 
tive of De Witt Clinton and Sir Walter Scott. A bust of each is 



ALBANY COUNTY. 



49 



introduced in the designs ; that of Clinton is surrounded by figures, 
representing Commerce, Agriculture, Science, a canal lock, &c. The 
bust of Scott is accompanied with a female figure, presenting a volume 
inscribed " Marmion ;" the words " Minstrel" and " Waverly" appear 
on a scroll below ; the Genius of History, Fame, and the emblems of 
death and immortality, are also introduced. The New State Hall, par- 
tially seen on the left, was commenced in 1835. It covers an area of 
one hundred and thirty-eight by eighty-eight feet, and is sixty-five feet 
in height. The materials of the building are brick and stone ; the 
exterior faced with marble, from Mount Pleasant ; the ceilings are 
arched with brick, and the whole fire-proof. This edifice contains 
the offices of the secretary of state, comptroller, treasurer, attorney- 
general, surveyor-general, &c. 




East View of the Capitol at Albany. 

The above is an eastern view of the capitol, situated at the head 
of State-street, one hundred and thirty feet above the level of the 
river. It is substantially built of stone, at an expense of $120,000, of 
which the city corporation paid $34,000. The hall of the repre- 
sentatives and the senate chamber, each contain full length portraits 
of Washington, and of several governors of the state. The Academy 
is on the north side of the public square ; is a fine building, con- 
structed of Nyac stone, three stories high and ninety feet front; 
cost, at the city charge, $90,000, exclusive of the site and some im- 
portant donations. The Albany Institute has commodious apartments 
in the Academy. Its library contains about two thousand volumes, 
and its museum more than ten thousand specimens in geology, 
mineralogy, botany, coins, engravings, casts, &c. It pubhshes its 
transactions from time to time, and has a high reputation abroad. 
The Albany Female Academy, is a beautiful building, erected by a 
company incorporated February, 1821 ; this institution has a high 
reputation. The Exchange, Stanwix Hall, the Museum, and several 

7 



50 ALBANY COUNTY. 

of the churches, are fine buildings. The Atheneum, was established 
in 1827 ; the Albany Lihrai-y, established in 1792, and now connected 
with the Atheneum, has about nine thousand volumes. 

There are six banks, viz: — Bank of Albany, incorporated in 1792; 
capital, $240,000. New York State Bank, incorporated 1803; capi- 
tal, $369,600. Mechanics and Farmers' Bank, incorporated 1811; 
capital, $442,000. Commercial Bank, incorporated 1825; capital, 
$300,000. Canal Bank, incorporated 1829; capital, $300,000. Al- 
bany City Bank, incorporated 1834 ; capital, $500,000. The Albany 
Savings Bank was incorporated in 1820. 

There are 25 churches : 4 Presbyterian ; 1 Associate do. ; 3 
Dutch Reformed ; 4 Methodist Episcopal ; 1 Protestant Methodist ; 
I Colored do.; 3 Baptist; 1 Colored do.; 2 Catholic; 3 Episcopa- 
lian ; 1 Friends ; 1 Universalist. Population, 33,663. Albany is 
distant from New York 148 miles ; from Washington city, 376 ; Phil- 
adelphia, 237 ; Boston, 171 ; Hartford^ 92 ; Montreal, 247 ; Quebec, 
394 ; Detroit, 664 ; Buffalo via Utica by land, 296 ; via Cherry Val- 
ley, 282 ; by the canal, 363. 

Upon the northern bounds of the city is the mansion house of the 
late Stephen Van Rensselaer, Esq., the patroon of the manor of Rens- 
selaerwick. It is almost entirely surrounded by a thick forest of 
trees, giving it an unusually retired aspect. " The name of this gen- 
tleman can scarcely be mentioned without a passing tribute to his 
merit. Blessed with great wealth, which so frequently leads to sel- 
fish egotism and exclusiveness, he has through life been distinguished 
as an active and efficient public man ; bestowing his personal services 
and his fortune, to the encouragement of every species of improve- 
ment in literature, science, and art. His name, as a benefactor, is 
associated with most of the charitable and scientific institutions of the 
state ; and he has perhaps done more than any other citizen to foster 
agriculture and internal improvements." — Gordon's Gaz. 

Berne, centrally distant west from Albany 20 miles, was taken 
from Rensselaerville in 1795. Population, 3,740. This town was 
settled during the revolutionary war, by a number of Scotch families. 
Berne, East Berne, and Readsville, are the names of postolfices. 
Centreville, is a small village. The lands in this town are leased by 
Mr. Van Rensselaer. 

Bethlehem, the first town south from Albany, was taken from 
Watervliet, in 1793. Pop. 3,225. The flats on Hudson river are 
inhabited by the descendants of the early Dutch settlers. There are 
here extensive limestone caves, one of which has been explored for 
about a quarter of a mile. Coeyman's creek and the Normans kill, 
afford valuable hydraulic power. Cedar Hill postoffice, on the Hud- 
son, is 8 miles south from Albany. Mills Island, a fertile tract in 
the Hudson, lies partly in the town. 

CoEYMANS, taken from Watervliet in 1791. Pop. 3,107. It was 
early settled by the Dutch, and received its name from one of the first 
settlers, himself a proprietor. Coeyman's village, at the junction of 
Coeyman's creek with the Hudson, 14 miles south of Albany, includ- 



ALBANY COUNTY. 51 

ing the Square, contains 150 dwellings. Coeyman's Hollow, is a post 
village, in the central part of the town on Hawnakrans kill. 

GuiLDERLAND, taken from Watervliet in 1803. Pop. 2,790. Guild- 
erland. West Guilderland, Guilderland Centre, and Dunsville, are 
postoffices. The town is centrally distant from Albany 10 miles. 

Knox, taken from Berne in 1822. Pop. 2,143. The lands are 
leased by Mr. Van Rensselaer. Knoxville, or Union Street, 21 miles 
west from Albany, has about 30 dwellings. 

New Scotland, taken from Bethlehem in 1832. Pop. 2,914. New 
Scotland, 8 miles southwest of Albany, has about 40 dwellings. 
New Salem, Clarksville, Union Church, are postoffices. Callagan's 
Corners, is a small settlement in the southeast part of the town. 

Rensselaerville, taken from Watervliet in 1790. Pop. 3,712. 
Renssclaerville, a village of about 125 dwellings, is situated on Ten 
Mile creek, at the junction of the Albany, Delaware, and Greenville 
tampikes, 24 miles southwest from Albany. The following view 




Northeastern View of Rensselaerville. 

was taken near the Episcopal church seen on the left. The church 
on the hill is the Presbyterian, and that on the right the Methodist. 
The Baptist church is not seen from this point. On the Ten Mile 
creek there is an artificial reservoir or dam, flooding 80 or 100 acres, 
which afibrds great hydraulic powei\ This stream approaches the 
village through the ravine, seen between the hills in the engraving, 
and in the course of half a mile falls 1 50 or 200 feet. In 1 788, the 
first mill in this town was erected by Messrs. Samuel Jenkins and Joel 
Culver on this creek, near the site of the village. This town was 
first settled during the revolution by Mr. Henry Vandyke, an elderly 
gentleman, who located himself in the southwest part. Samuel Jen- 
kins, Melatiah and Nathaniel Hatch, Joseph Woodford, Thomas 
Brown, Joel Culver, Jonathan Crocker, Ashbel Culver and others, 
settled here about 1788. They were mostly young men, from Con- 



52 ALBANY COUNTY. 

necticut, Massachusetts, and Dutchess county. They built their log 
cabins, cooked their provisions, remained during warm weather, and in 
whiter returned east. These first settlers were very poor. For the 
first year or two, not a horse was owned within a mile of the A^illage, 
and they were obliged to carry their maple sugar 20 or 30 miles on 
their backs, exchange it for corn, and return in the same manner. 
The first log cabin in the village was located on the spot where Mr. 
Charles L. Mumford's store now stands, and was erected by Mr. 
Samuel Jenkins. In the hollow near the village, the tories, during 
the revolutionary war, had a secret place of rendezvous. Here they 
built a hut of bass-wood logs, oblong in its form, with the logs 
meeting at the top, and capable of holding 50 or 100 men. An 
unsuccessful attempt was made to surprise them. The military road, 
built during the old French war, between Athens and Schoharie, pass- 
ed a little west of the village site. Preston Hollow, 30 miles south- 
west of Albany, on the Athens and Cherry Valley turnpike, has about 
40 dwellings. Potter's Hollow, 2 miles south of the above,, and Hall's 
Mills, about 5 miles south from Rensselaerville, are small settlements, 
having postofRces. 

The following account of the captivity of two lads, John and Rob- 
ert Price, is drawn from a pamphlet by Mr. Josiah Priest, entitled 
" The Captive Boys of Rensselaerville." 

The parents of these children emigrated from Scotland in 1774, and settled in that part 
of the Rensselaerwick patent formerly comprised in the limits of this town, but now in 
those of Berne. The war of the revolution had raged with various success for about four 
years, when the iew scattered families of this vicinity began to be in constant fear from the 
incursions of the tories and Indians, who had now commenced their depredations and acts of 
cold-blooded cruelty upon the inhabitants in the neighborhood of Old Schoharie. The 
family of Mr. Brice, having got out of bread, sent one morning on horseback, Robert, the 
youngest of the two boys, who was then about eleven years of age, with a bag of meal to 
get ground at a place called the Beaver Dam, eight or nine miles distant from their dwell- 
ing. He arrived safely at the mill, in company with three other lads, who went thither on 
a similar errand. By the time their meal was ready, the day was far spent ; and as their 
route back mostly lay through a long and deep forest, they all but little Robert concluded 
to remain with the miller overnight. John Brice, the elder of the two boys, was at this 
time at work with a farmer by the name of Johannes Deitz, who resided about three miles 
from the mill, and thither Robert was determined to go and spend the night, and return 
the remainder of the way home on the next morning. The bag of meal being placed on 
the horse, the little fellow pursued his lonely way through the wilderness. It was near the 
commencement of twilight, the last beams of the descending sun were flashing their golden 
glare among the peaks of the mountains, when, on approaching the house where he intended 
to have passed the night, an Indian horribly painted rose up suddenly from the roadside, 
and seizing the bridle of the horse, without saying a word, or seeming to notice the rider, 
lead the horse directly towards the house. On passing the barn door, the boy was inspired 
with additional terror on beholding old Mr. Deitz lying on the ground weltering in his 
blood. Between the house and barn, he saw in a similar situation the wives of old Mr. 
Deitz and son, with four small children of the latter, and a servant girl, in all eight persons, 
their newly shed blood scarcely yet cooled in the evening air. He now perceived the 
house to be full of Indians, hideously painted, busily and silently employed in carrying out 
its contents — provisions, clothing, &c. In casting his eye around, he beheld at a little dis- 
tance from the house his brother John and Captain Deitz, the son of the old man, tied to 
a tree, prisoners. The work of robbery and butchery being accomplished, the Indians 
packed their plunder on the backs of several horses which they had stolen, and hurried from 
the place. They had gone but a little way from the scene of butchery, M'hrn hearing a 
crackling noise behind them, the lads looked back, and saw the house, barn, and outhouses 
all in flames. The first night of their captivity they slept within a mile of their parents, in 



ALBANY COUNTY. 53 

the arms of the savages. Early the next morning they resumed their flight ; their progress 
was slow through the woods, occasioned by the bulkiness of their baggage, while they 
directed their way towards the head waters of the Cattskill creek, sleeping that night some- 
where in the neighborhood of what is now called Potter's Hollow, a few miles southwest 
of Oakhill, in Greene county. From this place they again set off in the morning towards 
the Schoharie river, and at the close of the day, while ascending to the height of land aim- 
ing to reach the river above Middleburgh, the Indians suddenly became very much alarmed. 
News, it appeared, had reached the garrison at Schoharie of the outrage, and they had 
sent out a party to intercept the Indians in their retreat ; but the savages had discovered 
them in season not to be surprised. Abandoning their horses, plunder and all, the three 
prisoners and eight scalps excepted, the Indians fled into the woods on the side of the ridge, 
and the darkness of night soon hid them from the fuiy of their pursuers. If they had no: 
been disturbed in their course, their intention was to have availed themselves of the war- 
rior's path on the Schoharie river, leading to the place called Brake-a-bin, from thence to 
Harpersfield, and so on to the Susquehannah, the Chemung, Genesee, and Niagara. As 
soon as it was day, having slept that night without fire, they set forward again, much cas; 
down in their minds ; pursuing the range of the mountain till somewhere near Gilboa, they 
crossed the creek, and passed on through the woods to Harpersfield ; from thence to the 
Charlotte river, coming to the Susquehannah at McDaniel's Mills, since so called, and 
thence onward down that river to the Oquago. 

Having now lost all their provisions, they felt the sufferings of hunger, and had no way to 
relieve themselves, lest their tell-tale guns should report them to their pursuers. Three 
days and nights they were compelled to subsist on nothing except what the bushes might 
afford — wintergreens, birch bark, and now and then a few wild berries. Captain Deitz was 
a peculiar sufferer, as suspended from a stick were the aged scalps of his father and 
mother, his wife and the four bloody memorials of his babes, adorned with the half-grown 
hair of their infant heads. These were constantly in his view, and often slapped in his 
face by the savage warrior. Captain Deitz finally died at Montreal with a broken heart. 
On the third day, when not far from the mouth of the Unadilla river, they considered them, 
selves out of danger, consequently travelled more at leisure, stopping frequently to hunt. At 
such times, as when they went out to hunt a day, intending to return by night, the Indians 
always bound Captain Deitz and Robert's brother to a tree, laying them flat on their backs, 
with their legs a little elevated to a limb ; in this uneasy posture they were compelled to 
suffer till their return. The owner of Robert had received a wound in the leg, when the 
party were pursued by the detachment from the garrison at Schoharie, and after a few days 
travelling, he became so lame as to be unable to travel as fast as his companions. The 
poor boy was now separated from his brother and Captain Deitz, and was left behind with 
his master and two other Indians. The first intimation to the boy that they had arrived in 
the Genesee or Indian country, were the yells which they uttered, and the responses they 
received from a great distance, which were continued until within sight of each other. 
Here commenced a persecution which the little fellow had not anticipated ; for the Indian 
children about his size and age immediately fell upon him with their whips and fists, amus- 
ing themselves to see him jump about and cry. He fled for protection to his master, but 
obtained none from that quarter. His next resort was to fly to a hut, although tuh of Indians, 
all laughing at his misfortunes ; he sprang in among them, trembling, pale, and bleeding, 
when his pursuers desisted. Whenever they approached an Indian settlement, the same 
ominous yells were renewed, when the same sort of persecution again befell him ; but as 
necessity at first had taught him to fly to a hut, so he now had learned to press forward 
with all his power to the door of the first wigwam which oflTered to his view, never being 
repulsed on his entry. Four times on passing from one settlement to another, he experi- 
enced the same sort of treatment ; which custom at one time had nearly cost him his life. 
An Indian lad much larger than himself, who ought, even according to their notions of 
dignity and manners, to have known better, knocked him down with a club, but he sprang 
up, and soon found the accustomed asylum, drenched in blood. At length, the three In- 
dians came to a place called the Nine Mile Landing, on Lake Ontario, where was the 
home of his master. Here they shaved his head and adorned it with feathers, and painted 
him after their manner, intending to bring him up as an Indian, taking him with them on 
their fishing and hunting parties, initiating him as fast as possible into their mode of living. 
A few weeks after, his master took him to Fort Erie, opposite to where Buffalo now stands, 
and sold him for fifteen dollars to the captain of a vessel on Lake Erie, who was a Scotch- 
man. From this time he saw his Indian acquaintance no more, going immediately with his 
new master to Detroit. Supposing that if he continued with the captain, and followed a 
sea-faring life, all opportunity would be forever lost of returning to his parents, he contrived 
a plea to be left at Detroit, to which his master consented. At this place he remained imtil 



54 ALDANY COUNTY. 

the close of the revolutionary war, when, according to the articles of peace, the prisoners of 
both countries were to be sent to their homes. His brother, at the time of their separation, 
was sent to Fort Niagara, and he, in company with Robert and many others, were released 
and sent to their respective homes. — Robert Brice is now, or was recently, still living in 
Bethlehem in this county; a respected citizen of the farmer class. 

Watervliet was organized in 1788. Pop., including West Troy, 
10,146. It includes the islands in the Hudson on the east ; centrally 
distant north from Albany 6 miles, extending 10 miles along the 
Mohawk river, and its lowest branch or sprout, and 6^ along the 
Hudson. Havers, Van Schaicks or Cahoes, and Green or Tibbets 
islands, are formed by sprouts of the Mohawk. They were occupied 
by the American army under General Gates, in 1777. The lands of 
the town are principally comprised in the manor of Rensselaerwick. 
Cahoes, Neskayuna, and West Troy, are villages. The small but 
flourishing manufacturing village of Cahoes is situated near the falls, 
on the bank of the Mohawk, within a short distance of the junction 
of the Erie and Champlain canals. The water-power developed 
here is very great, and the advantages of this position for manufac- 
tures, are among the best in the state. 

" The Cahoes Falls, in full view of the village, and seen with special advantage from the 
bridge, have a total descent of 78 feet, and a perpendicular pitch of about 40. Above the cat- 
aract, the bank on the left has nearly 100 feet perpendicular elevation, and below, 170 feet. 
On the right above the pitch, the bank is low ; but below it, the shore is between 80 and !>0 
feet high ; below the falls the river runs in a deep, rocky and broken bed for a short dis. 
tance, expanded into the placid pool formed by the state dam, and ghdes over that dam in 
one lovely sheet of about ^ of a mile in length, whose gentle fall of 7 feet makes a pleasant 
contrast with the great cataract above. In floods, the whole bed at the latter is covered 
with water, which descends in one unbroken torrent about 900 feet wide. At such sea. 
sons, the high rocky barriers which confine the stream, the roar of the cataract, the dash, 
ing of the troubled waters as they descend the rapids, and the striking assimilation of the 
torrent with the wilderness above, give to the scene unusual subhmity." 

West Troy, incorporated in 1836, comprising Gibbonsville, Wa- 
tervhet, and Port Schuyler, is situated upon the Hudson, opposite 
Troy, and may be considered as a part of that city. [See view of 
Troy.'] A communication is constantly kept up with it by ferries, 
and a fine macadamized road 6 miles in length alon^ the river con- 
nects it with Albany. A valuable water-power is derived from the 
Junction canal, and used at the arsenal and other works. The village 
has, by the census of 1840, a population of 4,607 ; and enjoying all the 
advantages of navigation possessed by Troy, grows rapidly. The 
United States arsenal, located here, comprises several extensive 
buildings of stone and brick, in which there are a large quantity of 
arms, with workshops for their repair. Among the cannon are some 
pieces taken at Saratoga and at Yorktown ; others, presented to the 
United States by Louis XIV., with some cast in New York and Phil- 
adelphia during the revolution. Another suburb of Troy, called 
North Troy, has been laid out upon Tibbets island, upon which is 
the railroad depot. 

At Neskayuna, there is a small society of Shakers, which was 
established here in September, 1770, by Ann Lee. They own 2,000 
acres of good land, well cultivated and divided into four farms, on 



ALBANY COUNTY. 5S 

each of which is a family, the whole amounting to about 80 persons 
of both sexes and all ages. From a very small beginning, the society 
has grown into several communities, the largest of which is estab- 
Ushed at New Lebanon, Columbia county. 

Ann Lee, or " Mother Ann," (as she is usually called,) was born at 
Manchester, England. About the year 1 758, she joined herself to the 
society of Shakers, so called from the singular tremblings and shak- 
ings with which these people were affected at their religious meetings. 
According to the account given by her biographer, she passe4 
through great trial and distress of mind for the space of nine years! 
during which period she had many visions and revelations. She sej 
up herself as a religious teacher, and soon collected a number of foil 
lowers, who believed her to be the " elect lady," spoken of in the 2(1 
of John. After having been imprisoned in England and confined iri 
a madhouse, she set sail for America, in the sprmg of 1774, with a 
number of her followers ; particularly, Abraham Stanley, her hus- 
band, William Lee, her brother, James Whitaker and John Hock- 
neil ; and arrived at New York the following August. It appears 
that Mother Ann remained in New York neaHy two years, and then 
went to Albany, and thence, in the following September, to Neska- 
yuna. In 1781, she began a progress through various parts of the 
country, particularly of New England, which lasted, we are told, 
about two years and four months. She died in 1784. The follow- 
ing lines are from a book entitled " Christ's Second Appearing ;" they 
are extracted from a poem called " A Memorial to Mother Ann," 
and will serve to show in what light she is viewed by her followers. 

At Manchester, in England, this burning truth began, 
When Christ made his appearance in blessed Mother Ann ; 
A few at first received it and did their lust forsake, 
And soon their testimony brought on a mighty shake. 

For Mother's safe protection, good angels flew before, 
Towards the land of promise, Columbia's happy shore ; 
Hail, thou victorious Gospel, and that auspicious day, 
When Mother safely landed in North America. 

About four years she labor'd with the attentive throng, 
While all their sins they open'd and righted ev'ry wrong ; 
At length she closed her labors and vanish'd out of sight, 
And left her faithful children increasing in the light. 

How much they are mistaken who think that Mother's dead, 
When through her ministrations so many souls are fed I 
In union with the Father, she is the second Eve, 
Dispensing full salvation to all who do believe. 

Westerlo, taken from Coeymans and Rensselaer in 1815. Pop. 
3,096. Centrally distant from Albany, southwest, 21 miles. The 
western part pertains to the manor of Rensselaerwick ; the eastern 
part is in Coeyman's Patent. The Dutch and Germans commenced 
settlements in 1759, around the lowlands. In 1794, they were much 
increased by the arrival of many emigrants from New England. 
Disbrows and South Westerlo are postoffices. 



66 ALLEGANY COUNTY. 



ALLEGANY COUNTY. 

Allegany county Avas taken from Genesee in 1806. It is 44 
miles long, 28 wide, being part of the tract ceded to Massachusetts. 
The two western tiers of towns are within the Holland Land Com- 
pany's purchase. The Genesee river flows through the county by a 
deep channel, depressed from five hundred to eight hundred feetbelow 
the higher hills. By an act passed in 1828, this river was declared 
a public highway Irom Rochester to the Pennsylvania line. The soil 
IS of a good quality, there being extensive tracts of alluvion, and the 
uplands embrace a variety. The northern part is best for grain, but 
a,s a whole it is better for grazing. Wheat and corn thrive well in 
:he valley and on the river flats. Of the former, twenty-five bushels 
an acre are an average crop, and of the latter forty. On the upland, 
corn, rye, potatoes, oats, and buckwheat, are productive crops. The 
growth of forest trees being heavy, lumbering is carried on exten- 
sively. The Rochester and Olean canal, chartered in 1836, and now 
constructing, enters the county at Portage and terminates at Olean, in 
the adjoining county of Cattaraugus. The line of the Erie railroad 
also passes through it. The county contains 30 towns. Pop. 40,917. 

Alfred, taken from Angelica in 1808, distant from Albany 246, 
and from Angelica, east, 10 miles. Pop. 1,637. The town is a good 
one for farming. Alfred and Vandemark are postoffices. Baker's 
Bridge and Alfred Centre are villages. In 1821, Almond and Inde- 
pendence were taken from the town. 

Allen, taken from Angelica in 1823, since reduced ; distant from 
Albany 244, from Angelica, north, 6 miles. There is a postoffice at 
Allen, and one at Allen Centre. Pop. 870. 

Almond, taken from Alfred; since reduced in area. Pop. 1,434. 
The Bath and Angelica turnpike passes through it. Almond, the 
largest village, 16 miles east from Angelica, has about thirty-five 
dwellings. Centre Almond and North Almond are postoffices. 

Amity, taken from Angelica and Scio in 1830 ; distant from Al- 
bany 258, from Angelica, south, 6 miles. Pop. 1,356. The Genesee 
crosses it northwestwardly, upon which are flats from half a mile to a 
mile wide. Phillipsburg,a very flourishing post village, lies on the river 
and line of the Erie railroad in the northeast angle of the town, and 
has one Presbyterian and one Methodist church. There is a fall here 
of twelve or fourteen feet, yielding an excellent water-power. Phil- 
lipsville, Hobbieville, and Genesee Valley, are postoffices. 

In the vicinity of Phillipsburg are the remains of three Indian forts, 
on the largest of which there formerly stood eight aged trees. On 
the bark of one of them was carved a figure of a turtle, underneath 
which there was also cut a canoe, with seven Indians in it, headed 
down stream. This was done, according to the account given by 
the natives to the first settlers, by a party of seven Indians of the 
Turtle tribe, to inform their companions that they had gone down the 
river. 



ALLEGANY COUNTY. 



57 



Andover, taken from Independence in 1824 ; distant from Albany 
252, from Angelica, southeasterly, 15 miles. Pop. 864. 

Angelica, formed from Leicester in 1805 ; from Albany 256, and 
from New York 327 miles. The Genesee crosses the southwestern 
angle of the town. Pop. 1,261. 




View of the Public Buildings at Angelica. 

Angelica Village, 2 miles east of the Genesee river, 40 miles west 
from Bath, 52 S. from Batavia, incorporated 2d of May, 1835, is the 
county seat. The above view, taken near the residence of Mr. John 
T. VVright, shows all the public buildings excepting the Baptist 
church. The gothic structure, on the left, is the Episcopal church ; 
the building with a spire, the Presbyterian ; the one with a cupola, 
the courthouse ; and that on the extreme tutt, the Methodist church. 
There are in the village about one hundred and thirty dwellings and 
two printing-offices, each issuing a weekly paper. About three miles 
southwest of the village, is the seat of Philip Church, Esq., called 
Belvidere, where there is a fine house with a farm under high culti- 
vation. The county was first settled by this gentleman, in 1804, and 
the town is named after his mother, Mrs. Angelica Church, the eldest 
daughter of General Philip Schuyler. 

Belfast, taken from Caneadea, by the name of Orrinsburg, in 
1824 ; name changed in 1825 ; distant from Albany 264, and from 
Angelica, west, 6 miles. Pop. 1,684. Summer's Valley, Rockville, 
and Belfast, are post-offices. 

The following account of a tornado, which passed over this region 
a few years since, is taken from Silliman's Journal for July, 1839 : — 

" Having visited and examined the scene of the tornado, so w^ell described by Mr. Willis 
Gaylord, of Otisco, Onondaga County, N. Y., in the Genesee Fanner, Nov. 10, 1838, we 
also can bear witness to the tremendous devastation which that whirlwind produced. 

" We were on the ground in September, about two months after the event. Before the 
tornado, a region of 4 or 500 acres had been covered by a dense forest of pine trees, many 

8 



58 ALLEGANY COUNTY. 

of them very tall and large ; roads had been cut through this forest, and a few sohtary 
houses were planted in it, here and there. Now we looked in vain over the whole tract 
for a single perfect tree. Those which had not been uprooted or broken in two near the 
ground, were shivered and twisted off at different elevations, leaving only a portion of a 
shattered trunk, so that not a single tree top, and hardly a single branch, were found stand- 
ing in the air : there were instead only mutilated stems, presenting a striking scene of de- 
solation wherever our eyes ranged over the now almost empty aerial space. On the ground 
the appearances were still more remarkable. The trees were interwoven in every possible 
way, so as to form a truly military abattis of the most impassable kind ; nor immediately 
after the gale could any progress be, in fact, made through the gigantic thickets of entangled 
trunks and branches, without the labor of bands of pioneers, who cut off the iimumcrable 
logs that choked every avenue. We had before seen many avenues made through forests 
by winds, prostrating the trees and laying them down in the direction of its course : but 
never had we seen such a perfec* desolation by a gyratory movement, before which the 
thick and lofty forest and the strongest framed buildings vanished, in an instant, and their 
ruins were whirled irresistibly around like flying leaves or gossamer. 

" Still, it was truly wonderful that people were buried in the ruins of their houses, and 
travellers with their horses and cattle were exposed to this driving storm of trees which 
literally filled the air, and still not a single life was lost, although some persons were 
wounded. 

" We were assured that this wind had marked a track of devastation for twenty miles or 
more, but this was the scene of its greatest ravages. Two or three miles from this place, 
we saw a wing of a house which had been moved quite around, so as to form a right angle 
with its former position, and still the building was not broken." — Editors. 

" The first appearance of severe wind, (says Mr. Gaylord,) was, as we learned, in the 
town of Rushford, some fifteen miles from the place where we observed its effects. The 
day was hot and sultry, and the course of the gale was from the N. of W. to S. of East. 
At its commencement in Rushford, it was only a violent thunder gust, such as are frequently 
experienced, but it soon acquired such force as to sweep in places every thing before it. 
In its passage the same violence was not at all times exerted ; some places seemed wholly 
passed over, while in the same direction and at only a small distance whole forests were 
crushed. In the language of one who had suffered much from the gale, ' it seemed to 
move by bounds, sometimes striking and sometimes receding from the earth,' which in- 
deed was most likely the case. 

" It passed the Genesee river in the town of Belfast, a few miles below Angelica, and its 
fury was here exerted on a space of country perhaps a mile or a mile and a half in width. 
The country here is settled and cleared along the river, but the road passes at a little dis- 
tance from the river, and at this point wound round one of the finest pine woods to be 
found on the stream. Of course when it came over the higher lands from the N. W., the 
tornado crossed the river and the plain before encountering the groves of pine. In the 
space occupied by the central part of the tornado, say three fourths of a mile in width, 
nothing was enabled to resist its fury. Strong framed houses and barns were crushed in an 
instant, and their fragments and contents as quickly scattered to every point of the com- 
pass ; while those out of the direct line were only unroofed or more or less damaged. 
Large oaks and elms were hterally twisted off, or crushed like reeds. 

" The road from the north approached the pine woods on what was the northern verge 
of the tornado, and the first appearance of the country in front was that of woodlands, in 
which all the trees had been broken off at the height of 20 or 30 feet, leaving nothing but 
countless mutilated trunks. On entering the narrow passway, however, which with im- 
mense labor had been opened through the fallen trunks, it was perceived that much of the 
largest part of the trees had been torn up by the roots, and lay piled across each other m 
the greatest apparent confusion imaginable. Fortunately for our view of the whole ground, 
a few days before our arrival, fire had been put in the ' windfall,' and aided by the extreme 
dry weather, the whole was burned over so clean, that nothing but the blackened trunks 
of the trees were remaining, thus disclosing their condition and position most perfectly. 
This position was such as to demonstrate beyond the possibility of a doubt, the fact, that 
the tornado had a rotary motion against the sun, and in perfect accordance with the course 
which we in a former volume of the Farmer have ascribed to such electric aerial currents, a 
theory first developed by Mr. Redfield of New York. 

" The first tree met with, prostrated by the tornado, wa& a large pine, which lay with its 
top exactly to the N. of West, or precisely against the general course of the storm. Hun- 
dreds of others lay near in the same direction on the outer part of the whirl, but immedi- 
ately after entering the fallen timber, the heads of the trees began to incline to tJie centre 
of the space torn down, and south of tliis, the inclination was directiy tlie reverse until the 



ALLEGANY COUNTY. 59 

outside of the whirl was reached, when they all lay with their tops to the east. This 
almost regular position of the fallen timber, was most distinct in the bottom courses, or that 
which was first blown down, those that resisted the longest, being, as was to be expected, 
pitched in the most diverse directions. That there was also an upward spiral motion, caus. 
ing a determination of the rushing air to the centre of the whirl, would appear probable 
from the iact that articles from the buildings destroyed were carried high in the air, and 
then apparently thrown out of the whirl, into the common current ; and also from the fact 
that a large majority of the trees both from the south and to the north of the centre of the 
gale, lay with their heads inclined to that point, while the centre was marked by the 
greatest confusion imaginable. A diagram formed of a continued succession of circles 
moving from the right to the left, would illustrate the position of the trees first uprooted, as 
these lay as when first crushed by the approach of the whirlwind. 

" Many curious facts illustrative of the force of the wind were related by the inhabitants 
in and near the place. A farmer attempted to drive his team of horses to the barn, but the 
tempest was too soon upon him. When the rush was over, and it was seemingly but a 
moment, he found the barn torn to pieces, himself about thirty rods in one direction from 
it, and his horses as many rods the other, and what was most remarkable, with scarcely a 
fragment of harness upon them. A wagon was blown away, and a month afterward one 
of the wheels had not been found. A house standing near the Genesee river, and a Uttle 
out of the line of the gale, was completely covered with mud that must have been taken 
from the bed of the river. And appearances render it very evident that near the centre of 
the whirl the water was entirely taken from the channel." 

Birds ALL, taken from Allen and Almond in 1829 ; distant from Al- 
bany, southwest, 245 miles. Pop. 328. Birdsall post-office is 12 
miles northeast from Angelica. 

Bolivar was taken from Friendship, in 1825 ; from Albany 275, 
and from Angelica, southwest, 19 miles. Pop. 408. Bolivar Village 
has about twenty-five dwellings. 

Burns, taken from Ossian in 1826 ; distant centrally from Angelica, 
northeast, 16, and from Albany 239 miles. De Witt's Valley and 
Whitney's Valley are post-offices. Pop. 847. 

Caneadea, taken from Angelica in 1808 ; distant from Albany 267, 
from Angelica, northwest, 11 miles. Pop. 1,647. Caneadea Village 
is centrally situated. The Caneadea Indian reservation commences 
here, and extends northward on the river about ten miles, through 
Hume into Portage and Granger. 

Centreville, taken from Pike in 1819 ; from Angelica, northwest, 
18 miles. Pop. 1,504. Centreville Village, centrally situated in the 
town, has about thirty-five dwellings. 

Clarksville, taken from Cuba in 1835 ; from Angelica, southwest, 
18 miles. Clarksville is a post-office. Pop. 326. 

Cuba, taken from Friendship in 1822 ; distant from Albany 275, 
and from Angelica, southwest, 18 miles. Pop. 1,761. Cuba Village, 
centrally situated, near which the lines of the Erie railroad and the 
Rochester and Olean canal intersect, is a very flourishing place, and 
has about eighty dwellings, one Presbyterian, and one Baptist church. 
Cadysville is 2 miles north of the village. 

The famed Seneca Oil Spring is in this town, within eighty rods of 
the county line. The spring rises in a marsh, distant three and a half 
miles from the village. It is a muddy, circular, stagnant pool, about 
-eighteen feet in diameter, with no visible outlet. The water is coated 
with a thin layer of mineral oil, giving it a yellowish-brown color, 
similar to dirty molasses. The oil is collected by skimming it from 



60 ALLEGANY COUNTY. 

the fountain, and is used for rheumatism in man, and sprains and sores 
for man or beast. The spring was highly valued by the Indians, and 
a square mile around it has been reserved for the Senecas. The oil 
sold in the eastern states is obtained from Oil Creek, in Venango 
county, Pennsylvania, where it is more pure and abundant. The 
spring gives name to a post-office. 

Eagle, taken from Pike in 1823 ; centrally distant from Albany 
264, from Angelica, northwest, 24 miles. Pop. 1,222. 

Friendship, taken from Caneadea in 1815. Pop. 1,230. Friend- 
ship Village, on the line of the Erie railroad, 10 miles southwest from 
Angelica, contains about sixty dwellings. 

Genesee, taken from Cuba in 1830 ; from Angelica, southwest, 
25 miles. Pop. 569. Little Genesee and West Genesee are names 
of post-offices. Little Genesee is a small village. 

Granger, taken from Grove ; centrally distant from Angelica, north, 
12 miles. Grove, Short Tract, and Plickory Swale, are post-offices. 
Pop. 1,064. 

Grove, taken from Nunda in 1827 ; from Angelica, north, 14 miles. 
East Grove is a post-office. Pop. 625. 

New Hudson, formerly named Haight, and taken from Rushford 
in 1825 ; from Albany 268, and from Angelica, west, 13 miles. Black 
Creek is a post-office. The summit level of the Rochester and Olean 
canal is in this town. Pop. 1,488. 

Hume, taken from Pike in 1822 ; from Albany, southwest, 260 miles ; 
drained by the Genesee on the southeast. Pop. 2,305. Hume and 
Cold Creek are post-offices. At Mixville, a post village, 15 miles 
northwest from Angelica, there are about twenty dwellings, and an 
excellent hydraulic power, comprising four perpendicular falls, making 
in the whole seventy-tive feet descent. 

Independence, taken from Alfred in 1821 ; from Albany 262, and 
from Angelica, southeast, 20 miles. Pop. 1,398. Independence Cen- 
tre, Independence, Whitesville, and Spring Mill, are post villages. 

Nunda, taken from Angelica in 1808 ; from Albany 253, and from 
Angelica, northeast, 18 miles. Pop. 2,614. The name is a corrup- 
tion of an Indian word signifying " potatoe ground," applied when 
this town comprehended the rich flats of the Genesee. Nunda and 
East Hill are post-offices. The village of Nunda Valley, upon the 
Cashaqua creek, is a place of much and increasing business ; the Ro- 
chester and Olean canal is to pass through it. 

The following is a southern view of the open square in the business 
portion of the place, taken at Whitcomb and Co.'s store. The vil- 
lage was first settled about the year 1826, by Deacon Rawson, Asa 
Heath, Samuel Swain, David Basset, James M. Heath, and others. 
The latter-named person built the first tavern, in 1826, of logs. The 
Baptist and Presbyterian churches were erected in 1832. The vil- 
lage contains about one hundred dwellings. 

OssiAN, taken from Angelica in 1808 ; from Albany 233, and from 
Angelica, northeast, 20 miles. Pop. 945, Ossian village is centrally 
situated. 



ALLEGANY COUNTY. 



61 




Central Part oj Nunda Valley Village. 

Pike, taken from Nunda, March, 1818 ; from Albany 255, and from 
Angelica, northwest, 18 miles. Pop. 2,181. Pike, centrally situated, 
has one Presbyterian, one Methodist, and one Baptist church, and 
about ninety dwellings. East Pike and East Koy are post-offices. 

Portage, taken from Nunda in 1827; centrally distant from Al- 
bany 247, and from Angehca, north, 18 miles. Pop. 4,715. Portage- 
ville, on the Genesee river at the head of the rapids, is a flourishing 
village, containing about sixty or seventy dwelHngs. The hne of the 
Olean and Rochester canal passes through it. Hunt's Hollow and 
Oakland are post-offices. 

This town is located in an exceedingly interesting region, both from 
the wild grandeur of its river scenery, and the exhibition of human 
enterprise and skill in the construction of a tunnel for the canal, 
through the solid rock, which here bounds the valley of the Genesee. 
" There are three distinct falls on the river, respectively sixty, ninety, 
and one hundred and ten feet high, within the space of two miles, 
each differing in character, and each having peculiar beauties. Al- 
though the cascades are highly admirable, they are almost disregarded 
in the wonder and fear caused by the stupendous, perpendicular walls 
of the river, rising to four hundred feet in height, and extending along 
the stream for three miles, with almost as much regularity as if con- 
structed by art. To this great depth the river has worn its bed in 
the solid rock, in turns as short and graceful, as if winding through 
the softest meadow." The middle falls, which are the highest, have 
been the scene of several narrow escapes, of which, perhaps the fol- 
lowing is the most remarkable. Early in the spring of 1827, a boy 
about fourteen, named Joel Burgess, took a boat into the river above 
the falls, for the purpose of obtaining a duck which he had shot. In 
his eagerness to secure the prize, he lost sense of his peril and floated 
down the stream. On going over the dam, which is situated about 
twelve rods above the cataract, he was thrown out of the boat, but 
still held on with both hands. Thus clinging to the frail bark, he was 
fast hurrying to an awful death, when his feet struck a small project- 
ing rock in the bed of the river. With admirable presence of mind, 



63 



ALLEGANY COUNTY. 



he let go of the boat and stood fast. His situation was even now 
full of danger. On each side the water was deep, and the current 
running with an irresistible force. Chilled and exhausted by the cold- 
ness of the element, he was about losing hold of the slippery rock, 
when those ashore succeeded in throwing him a rope, which he tied 
around his waist and was dragged exhausted to land. Under these 
falls, on the northei-n side, is the " Devil's Oven," a cave fifteen feet 
in height, and sixty feet deep. 




Pass of the Genesee at Portage Falls. 

The above is a representation of the gorge, at that point where the 
river, coming from the south, takes a sudden and abrupt bend to the 
east. It is situated below the middle and upper falls ; both of which 
are in full sight from near this point. The spectator is supposed to 
be standing in the valley, and looking eastwardly in the direction of 
the lower falls, which are about a mile and a half distant. Imme- 
diately in front rise massy, perpendicular rocks, to the height of four 
hundred feet, their summits crowned with gigantic pines" and hem- 



ALLEGANY COUNTY. 63 

locks, the aged sentinels of an hundred years. In the perspective, 
the river meanders along its rocky bed, until finally lost to the view 
behind projecting precipices. Far in the distant horizon is seen the 
hills of the Cashaqua, and to the right " Hornby Lodge," standing on 
the verge of the precipice, resembling an ancient chateau ; its rude, 
gothic architecture in keeping writh the wildness of the situation. 
The sketch for the above engraving was taken at the close of the 
year. Winter had thrown her snowy mantle upon the face of na- 
ture. The huge evergreens and naked limbs of the other forest trees 
were enveloped in their drapery of white ; immense icicles hung 
from the rocks ; w4iile the blue of the distant hills, contrastino- with 
the icy splendor and sublimity of the foreground, combined to render 
it a scene of indescribable grandeur. Some years since, a party of 
surveyors cut down an immense pine, standing on the verge of the 
precipice. It turned one somerset in its descent, and struck its butt 
perpendicularly upon the rocky bottom of the gorge. Every limb 
fell to the earth with the shock. It stood for a moment, a tall, Hmb- 
less trunk, quivered, and fell with a crash. 

The tunnel, eleven hundred and eighty feet in length, to which al- 
lusion has been made, commences at a point on the southern side of 
the gorge, about six hundred feet east of the lodge, and has a south- 
western termination near the middle falls. The following description 
of this work, and the " lodge," is from an interesting series of letters, 
entitled " Midsummer Rambles," published in the New York Com- 
mercial Advertiser in the summer and autumn of 1840. " The trunk 
of the tunnel is to be twenty-seven feet wide and twenty feet high. 
Fortunately, the character of the rock (sandstone) is favorable to the 
progress of the work. The contractor for this section is Elisha 
Johnson, Esq., formerly mayor of Rochester, and one of its most 
enterprising citizens. Mr. Johnson commenced this vast excavation 
last year, first running a shaft or ' heading' five and a half feet near- 
est the roof, and of the entire width required, through the whole length 
of the tunnel. One of the lateral drifts, for the introduction of air 
and light from the river brink to the main tunnel, had also been pre- 
viously completed," the opening to which is seen in the engraving 
on the rock in front of the " Lodge." 

" The entire excavation of this tunnel, including the gallery, shaft, 
and lateral drifts, will amount to more than twenty-five thousand cubic 
yards, for which the price paid is four dollars per yard. This, how- 
ever, will not, by a great amount, cover the entire cost of the tunnel ; 
for since the excavation has been commenced, such is the character 
of the rock — thrown together apparently by nature in loose masses 
and blocks — that it now appears that the entire roof and sides of the 
tunnel will require arching with solid mason work. Indeed, tempo- 
rary arches of wood have been found necessary during the progress 
of almost every successive yard of the work. It is by far the great- 
est undertaking of the kind that has been attempted in our country. 
" Perceiving, at the outset, that his contract would require a long 
time for its completion, Mr. Johnson, whose daily presence was 



64 



ALLEGANY COUNTY. 




Hornby Lodge at Portage Falls. 

necessary, wisely determined to surround himself by his family. He 
accordingly prepared ' a lodge' for them in the ' wilderness.' The 
site selected is wild and picturesque in a high degree. It stands 
upon a small plain or table, upon the highest verge of the precipitous 
bank of the river so often adverted to, a few yards only from the edge, 
which juts out, and almost impends over the abyss, threatening to 
descend and overwhelm all that may be below. The site of the 
building is near the southwestern entrance of the tunnel.* Facing 
that direction, a full view is presented of the chasm of the river, and 
the upper and middle falls ; the roar of which is incessant, and the 
ascending clouds of vapor of which form objects of ever-varying and 
incessant interest and beauty. ' Hornby Lodge^ is the name of Mr. 
Johnson's castle, and the grounds around it — purposely kept as wild 
as nature herself has made them — are called ' Tunnel Park.' 

" The house, or lodge, is of itself a great curiosity. In shape it is an 
octagon, sixty feet in diameter, and two stories high — with r-, 
wings — according to the ground-plan annexed. It is sup- / "^v^ 
ported by the trunk of a huge oak tree, standing in the [I] t] 
centre, from which the beams and rafters radiate to the \-/ 
outward circumference. It stands directly over the main 
tunnel, the roof of which is 100 feet beneath the base of the lodge. 
The work is prosecuted by relief parties night and day ; and while 
the miners were at work directly beneath the lodge, the explosions 
of the powder used in blasting were both heard and felt by the family, 
essentially disturbing their slumber at night. The ornaments of the 
lodge, over the doors and windows, and much of the furniture, are 
truly Gothic, being formed from the crookedest limbs of trees that 
could be found. On the whole, it is a most picturesque establish- 
ment, standing alone in its rustic beauty, and looking out fearfully 

* Having formerly been some years engaged on public works, we were naturally inter- 
ested in the construction at this place. Much credit is due to Mr. Edward A. Stillman, a 
young man of 23, who is the resident instrmnental engineer. His lines have Jaeen run with 
uncommon success as compared with similar works in Europe. — H. JI. 



ALLEGANY COUNTY. 65 

upon the confined deep. I was a partaker of Mr. Johnson's hospi- 
tahty for one night. It was a beautiful moonUght night ; and both 
by day and night I enjoyed the scene to the full." 

To the foregoing description, we would add that the building pre- 
sents a similar appearance from every direction. There is between 
each pair of wings a door which opens into an octagonal saloon, 
occupying the whole of the basement, excepting the wings. This 
saloon is in true " log cabin" style. The trunk of the huge oak, pre- 
viously alluded to, with its shaggy bark covering, rises from the floor 
in the centre of the room as a pillar to support the ceiling. The fur- 
niture, chairs, sofas, &c., in this apartment are formed of the rough 
limbs of the forest. The wings are divided into rooms of convenient 
size answering the respective purposes of parlor, library, office, 
conservatory, kitchen, &c. &c. The structure approaches to the 
Swiss Gothic st54e, and its peculiar and novel feature is, that while 
the lower story is an octagon, the upper is a quadrilateral, diamonding 
with the base. 

We will close our account of this region by a description of the 
lower falls, taken from the " Rambles." " The water at the lower 
falls rushes around an immense rock in its descent, close under the 
southeastern bank. Fortunately for visiters, as yet the scene has 
been thus far permitted by man to remain in a state of nature. It is 
therefore as wild and romantic as can be desired. A dark screen of 
evergreen, hanging over the cataract so near and thick as to :'"ender 
it unsafe to push through it, partially hides the descending torrent of 
foam, which dots after its final plunge the river to a considerable 
distance with cream-like ornaments. Partly detached from the main 
wall which confines the river to its narrow bed, a huge rock partially 
conceals the fall, tapering upward like a sugar-loaf, and crested with 
evergreens. On the opposite, or western side, the top of the rock 
around which the waters hurry in their maddened wrath, is level as 
the house-floor, and large enough for a company of 

Those gallant sons who shoulder guns 
And twice a year go out a-training, 

to perform their martial exercises upon. Midway from the top, the 
sugar-loaf is united to the main buttress. The depth of this fall is 
96 feet." 

RusHFORD, taken from Caneadea in 1827, is centrally situated 
from Albany 270, and from Angelica, northwest, 20 miles. Pop. 1,502. 
Rushford village contains 1 Methodist church, and about 70 dwellings. 

Scio, taken from Angelica in 1823, and centrally distant, south, 16 
miles. Scio and Wellsvilie are post-offices. Pop. 1,150. In its ter- 
ritorial limits, this town is far the largest in the county. Its surface 
is high and much broken by streams, and heavily timbered with 
pines, hemlock, &c. Most of the township is in its primitive wilder- 
ness state. 

West Almond comprises township No. 4 in the first range of 
Morris' Reserve, and was taken from Almond, Angelica and Aljfred 
in 1835; from Angelica, east, 7 miles. Pop. 810. 

9 



66 BROOME COUNTY. 

Wirt, taken from Friendship and Bolivar ; from Angelica, south- 
west, 14 miles. Pop. 1,208. South Branch and Richburg are post- 
offices. 



BROOME COUNTY. 

Broome county, named after Lieut. Gov. Broome, was taken from 
Tioga in 1806. Length, on the Pennsylvania line, 37 miles ; breadth, 
on the Tioga boundary 28, on the Delaware 13, and midway 17 
miles. Centrally distant from New York, northwest, 252, and from 
Albany, southv/est, 145 miles. The surface of the country is broken 
and mountainous. Among its principal elevations are the Cookquago, 
the Oquago, and the Randolph mountains. The valleys bordering 
on its numerous streams are extensive and fertile, producing large 
quantities of wheat. The soil is generally better adapted to grazing 
than the culture of grain. Fruit succeeds well. The inhabitants 
are principally farmers, and its agriculture is respectable. The 
Chenango canal enters the county on the north, follows down the 
valley of the Chenango river, and enters the Susquehannah river at 
Binghamton. The line of the Erie railroad passes through the 
county. The county is divided into 1 1 towns. Population, 22,348. 

Barker was taken from Lisle in 1831 ; drained by the Tioughni- 
oga river crossing it diagonally from northwest to southeast. Pop- 
ulation, 1,258. Chenango Forks, post village, 12 miles north from 
Binghamton, has about 30 dwellings. There is a small collection 
of houses at Hyde settlement. 

Chenango was organized in February, 1791 ; since reduced in 
limits. It is centrally intersected by Chenango river, which enters 
the Susquehannah at Chenango Point. Along the valleys of both 
these streams are rich alluvial flats from one to two miles wide. The 
land is broken and hilly, containing large quantities of pine and other 
timber for market. Population, 5,475, The village of Binghamton 
in this town, formerly called Chenango Point, the shire village of the 
county, was incorporated in 1813, 1824, and 1834. It derived its 
present name from William Bingham, a munificent benefactor of the 
village in its infant state. This gentleman was possessed of a large 
estate, and was the proprietor of a large patent of land lying on both 
sides of the Susquehannah, including the site of the village. . Mr. 
Bingham was a native of England, and came to this country when a 
young man, and went into the mercantile business in Philadelphia. 
He was a member of congress for some years while it held its ses- 
sions at Philadelphia. His two daughters married, the one Alexander, 
the other Henry Baring, two noted bankers in London. Mr. Bing- 
ham died in London in 1804. 



BROOME COUNTY. 



&r 




Western View of Binghamton. 

The above shows the appearance of the village as it is entered 
from the west side of Chenango river, by the red bridge, (so called,) 
which is 600 feet long. The village is principally on the east side 
of the Chenango, and contains about 400 houses, 30 stores, and 2,000 
inhabitants. There are six churches, viz : 1 Episcopal, 1 Methodist, 
1 Presbyterian, 1 Congregational, 1 Baptist, and 1 Catholic. There 
are two female seminaries, a large school for boys, two printing- 
offices, the courthouse and prison ; two banks — the Broome County 
Bank incorporated 1831, with a capital of $100,000, and the Bing- 
hamton Bank, which commenced its operations in 1839, with a capital 
of $100,000, and the privilege of extending it to one million. The 
village of Binghamton is 150 miles from Albany, 90 from Utica, 40 
from Norwich, 22 from Owego, and 7 from the Pennsylvania line. 
The great medium of transportation to the place is by the Chenango 
canal. This canal, which terminates at Binghamton and Utica, is 
95 miles long, 46 feet wide, and 4? deep. The number of locks in 
the whole route is 105. The canal was commenced in 1834 and 
completed in 1837, and cost nearly two millions of dollars. 

The tract of country in which Binghamton is situated, became 
first known to the whites by the expedition of Gen. Sullivan against 
the Indians in 1779, Upon the site of Binghamton, a brigade of 
American 4i'Oops under the command of Gen. James Clinton, the 
father of De Witt Clinton, encamped for one or two nights on their 
way to join the main body under Sullivan, then penetrating westward. 
The first white man who made a permanent settlement in what is 
claimed for the village vicinity, was Capt. Joseph Leonard, who was 
originally from Plymouth, Massachusetts. He first emigrated to 
Wyoming, Pennsylvania. He owned a farm in that place, and was 
under arms there at the time of the massacre, though not on the field 
of action. He moved from Wyoming in 1787, with a young wife and 
two little children. His wife and children were put on board a 



68 BROOME COUNTY. 

canoe, with what goods he brought up, and the canoe rowed by a 
hired man ; while he himself went up on land with two horses, keep- 
ing the shore, and regulating his progress by that of his family on the 
river. A Capt. Baldwin, who settled on the Chemung river, moved 
up at the same time in company with him.* 

Capt. Leonard received his first information of this region from 
Amos Draper, then an Indian trader in these parts. On his first ar- 
rival, he found a Mr. Lyon, who lived in a temporary log house near 
where Col. Page's ashery now stands. In two or three weeks after- 
ward. Col. Wm. Rose and his brother, from Connecticut, came on to 
Binghamton, and fixed their location a little above Capt. Leonard's. 
During this year, (1787,) Joshua Whitney, Gen. Wm. Whitney, and 
Henry Green, from Hillsdale, Columbia county, came to this place, 
and settled on the west side of the Chenango, about two miles above 
its junction with the Susquehannah, on what was afterward called 
Whitney's flats. At the time the above families settled here, their 
nearest white neighbors were at Tioga, a distance of forty miles. 

Previous to the settlement of these first emigrants, a number of 
persons from Massachusetts came on an exploring tour to this region ; 
on their return they obtained a grant from the legislature of Massa- 
chusetts of a large tract, which they afterward purchased of the In- 
dians. This tract contained 230,000 square acres, for which the 
company paid to the state £ 1,500. It appears that when the agents 
of the company came on, they found that patents had already 
been granted to Bingham, Wilson, and Cox, by the state of New 
York, which interfered with their grants. This claim of Massa- 
chusetts to this part of the state, originating in some ancient colonial 
claims, was finally satisfied by the grant of the right of pre-emption 
to certain lands in western New York. The facts respecting the 
treaty with the Indians, &c., is from the Annals of Binghamton. 

" They made their propositions to the Indians for the purchase of it, 
appointed a time and place for the negotiation of the bargain, and 
returned home. These individuals, at first, designed to form a com- 
pany to consist only of eleven persons ; but conceiving the purchase 
too heavy for so small a number, and having so many applications 
for co-partnership, the number of the company was finally fixed at 
sixty. This company appointed as commissioners to treat with the 
Indians, Elijah Brown, Gen. Oringh Stoddard, Gen. Moses Ashley, 
Capt. Raymond, and Col. David Pixley. These gentlemen met the 
Indians in treaty, in the first instance on the Chenango rif er, the east 
side, two or three miles above the present village of Binghamton, in 
the forepart of winter. But at this treaty the negotiation was not 
fully completed, and they adjourned to meet at the Forks of the Che- 
nango. At this second treaty, there were between three and four 
hundred Indians. 



* The authors are indebted for the history of Binghamton, to a work pubHshed at that 
place in 1840, entitled " Annals of Binghamton, and of the country connected with it, 
from the earliest settlement, by J. B. Wilkinson." 



BROOME COUNTY. 69 

" At this and the former treaty, it is said, the Indians, who were fur- 
nished with provisions and liquor at the expense of the company, 
would get drunk, almost to a man, by night, but be sober through 
the dav. While the subjects of the treaty were under discussion 
from day to day, they would sit in circles upon the ground, and listen 
with the utmost decorum. Their chiefs, when they spoke, would 
speak in substance, if not in form, in accordance with parliamentary 
rule. Captain, and afterward Esquire Dean, was their interpreter, 
and did their business. 

" The nominal sum paid for this tract is not now known, but the 
payment was made, one half in money, and the other moiety in goods, 
consisting of rifles, hatchets, ammunition, blankets, and woollen cloths. 
The last, it is said, the savages, in perfect character with their taste, 
immediately tore into strings for ornament. 

• " An estimation was made of the entire cost of these ten townships, 
to wit : the purchase price, the expense of the treaties, and the sur- 
vey made of it, and found to amount to about one shilling per acre. 
The number of acres contained in the tract, as has just been stated, 
was 230,000 square acres. This, equally divided among the sixty 
proprietors, would give to each 3,833 acres, with a fraction over. 
The price for which the land was sold, in the earliest sale of it, was 
uniformly at twenty-five cents per acre ; but it, after a little, rose to 
one dollar per acre, and even to more. 

" The land upon the shores of the two rivers, and for some distance 
back, was, even at the time of the purchase, partially cleared, so far 
as the Indians have their lands cleared. The under-brush was 
cleared, having been kept down by burning, and grass growing on 
the flats. The Indians uniformly keep down the shrubby part of 
their hunting grounds, that they may, with the more facility, discover 
and pursue their game. Col. Rose says, that he could see deer upon 
the mountains immediately back of him for half a mile, so free were 
they of under-brush. He observes, also, that the woods exhibited a 
sombre appearance, from their annual burnings. The large island 
opposite Judge Stoddard's, was, when the first settlers came, covered 
with grass and the anacum weed, a tall kind of weed, the roots of 
which they were in the habit of digging and drying, and then grind- 
ing or pounding for bread stuff"; or rather its apology, perhaps, 
when their corn failed them. 

" The Indians, in their treaty with the New England commissioners, 
reserved to themselves the right of hunting upon the lands they had 
sold, for the term of seven years ; and also made a reserve of one 
half mile square, as their own possession. This reserve was situated 
near the mouth of Castle creek, and went by the name of the Castle 
Farm. Upon this reserve the Indians of the neighborhood who did 
not remove to New Stockbridge, or Oneida, resided. Their number 
on the farm is said to have been about twenty families. They by no 
means confined themselves to this httle spot. They cultivated the 
ground of the farm, more or less, but depended chiefly, in accordance 
with their long custom and native propensity, upon hunting and fishing.'* 



70 BROOME COUNTY. 

In the summer of 1789, a very considerable accession was made 
by persons who settled in the Susquehannah and Chenango valleys. 
Daniel Hudson, afterward a major and judge, settled between Capt. 
Leonard and Col. Rose ; Jonathan Fitch settled upon the creek that 
took his name : he was a merchant from Wyoming, and had been 
sheriff of the county ; it is believed he was the first representative to 
the state legislature from the new county of Tioga, The first reli- 
gious society formed within the bounds of the settlement was a Bap- 
tist church, consisting of 10 or 12 members, formed by Elder Howe, 
a very early settler in the place. He was succeeded by Elder Fisk. 
This society became extinct about the year 1800. A Dutch Re- 
formed church was founded about 1798, by the Rev. Mr. Manly, 
who was succeeded in his ministrations by the Rev. Mr. Palmer: this 
church was afterward merged into the Presbyterian. The present 
Pj-esbyterian church was organized in 1817. Mr. Niles, their minister,' 
was ordained the next year. He died in 1828, and was succeeded by 
Mr. Lockwood, who continued his pastoral relation till 1833. He 
was succeeded, in 1836, by the Rev. John A. Nash: in 1838, Mr. 
Nash was succeeded by Rev. David D. Gregory. The Episcopal 
church was incorporated in 1816. Rev. Mr. Keeler was the first 
ofliciating clergyman. He was succeeded by Rev. F. H. Cumming. 
In 1821, Mr. Cumming was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Gear. The 
clergymen succeeding have been in the following order : Rev. Na- 
thaniel Huse, in 1824; Rev. Mr. Cumming, in 1829; Rev. Hiram 
Adams, in 1831; Rev. Mr. Shimeall, in 1835; and Rev. Edward 
Andrews, in 1836. The Methodist society was formed in 1817. In 
1822, the Methodist chapel was purchased of the Episcopalians, and 
moved from the site of the present Episcopal church to where it now 
stands. The present Baptist church was instituted in 1829. Elder 
Frederick was its first pastor. The succeeding pastors have been in 
the order following : Revs. Jason Corwin, Henry Robertson, Davis 
Dimmick, William Storrs, and Rev. James M. Coley. The Congre- 
gational church was organized in 1836, and the Rev. John Stark- 
weather was called to be their pastor ; he was succeeded by Rev. 
Samuel W. Bush. A Catholic church was finished in 1837. In 
Jan. 1838, a Universalist society was organized. 

Windsor, the ancient Oquago, was taken from Chenango in 1807; 
has a mountainous surface, and is centrally intersected by the Susque- 
hannah. Great quantities of locust timber, valuable for shipbuilding, 
have been taken from this town. The principal settlement is on 
the west side of the Susquehannah, and has about 60 dwellings, and 
350 inhabitants; 16 miles from Binghamton, and 128 from Albany. 
Pop. 2,368. 

The valley of Oquago was settled by the whites about the year 
1788. The most of the earlier inhabitants were from Waterbury 
and Watertown, in Connecticut. The Rev. Mr. Buck was the first 
minister who preached in the place. He was called by the first settlers 
Major Buck, as he had held that office during the revolutionary war. 
Mr. Williston, a missionary from Connecticut, appears to have been 



BROOME COUNTY. 71 

the next. Soon after the formation of the Presbyterian church, Rev. 
Seth Sage became the settled pastor, and remained such till his death. 
The Episcopal church was organized in 1803, by Bishop chase, then 
a missionary in Western New York, The Presbyterian meeting- 
house was erected in 1800, the Methodist in 1833. 

Oquago was the residence of a tribe of Indians. It appears to 
have been a half-way resting-place for the " Six Nations" as they 
passed south of Wyoming, and also for the tribes of the Wyoming 
valley as they passed north. Jonathan Edwards, the celebrated 
divine, while a minister at Stockbridge, Mass., took a deep interest 
in the welfare of the Indians in this place. He procured a mis- 
sionary for them. Rev. Mr. Hawley, and three other persons, Mr. 
Wood bridge, Mr. and Mrs. Ashley. The three latter returned. Mrs. 
Ashley, it appears, was employed during her stay as an interpreter. 
Mr. Hawley remained their missionary until the commencement of 
the French war, when it was considered unsafe for him to remain 
longer. About one year previous to this time, Mr. Edwards sent 
one of his sons, a lad of about nine years of age, to Oquago, under 
the care of Mr. Hawley, to learn the Indian language, in order to 
become an Indian missionary. When the war commenced, a faithful 
Indian, who had special care of the lad, took him and conveyed him 
to his father, part of the way on his back. This lad was afterward 
President of Union College. 

The following, relating to the privations and difficulties encountered 
by the first settlers of Oquago valley, is from Wilkinson's Annals of 
Binghamton. 

" In about the year 1794, there was what was called the pumpkin 
freshet, in the month of August ; the Susquehannah rising much 
above its usual height, and sweeping down in its tide the productions 
of the fields — corn, pumpkins, potatoes, &c. A great scarcity was 
the natural consequence. During this scarcity, Maj. Stow shouldered 
a bushel of wheat, in which the whole neighborhood had a common 
share, and started for Wattles' ferry to mill, a distance of more than 
forty miles, carrying his grist the whole distance on foot. He got 
his wheat ground, and returned in the same trudging manner. 
During his journey, he purchased one quarter of a pound of tea — at 
that time a rare article with the settlers — to help out the repast 
which he anticipated at his return. Upon his arrival home, the 
neighbors, who held an interest in the grist of wheat — and most pro- 
bably others also — collected at the major's house, to hold a sort of 
thanksgiving ; which was to be celebrated by preparing and partak- 
ing of as sumptuous a feast as their stores would admit. Out of the 
flour they made short-cake; but having no hog's lard, they would 
have come short of this luxury, had not the major bethought himself 
of some hear''s grease which he had in the house, and which answer- 
ed as a substitute. Their tea was quite a ncvr article to them, for 
which they were not prepared. They had no teakettle, no teapot, 
no teacups. Instead of the first, a small kettle was furnished to boil 
the water in ; they put the tea into the same to steep it ; and instead 



72 BROOME COUNTY. 

of cups and saucers, they used a wooden bowl, which they passed 
around from one to the other. Still they made a merry cheer of it ; 
felt the glow of sociabiUty, and told each his best anecdote. These 
early inhabitants, when they became old, would tell the story to their 
children and more recent inhabitants, with moistened eyes ; but said, 
it was then a heart-felt thanksgiving and a merry time." 

CoLEsviLLE, taken from Windsor in 1821 ; drained centrally by 
the Susquehannah river; from Albany 123 miles. Pop. 2,517. Har- 
persville, 17 miles N. E. from Binghamton, has about 30 dwellings. 
Colesville, New Ohio, Nineveh, Dora, and Susquehannah, are post- 
offices. Bellona springs in this town, so named from some sulphur 
springs, has been frequented for health and pleasure. 

CoNKLiN, taken from Chenango in 1824 ; having the Susquehannah 
river running N. W. through it in a deep valley with fertile flats. 
Pop. 1,471. Conklin and Corbotville are post-offices: the former of 
which is about 4 miles E. of Binghamton. 

Lisle, taken from Union in 1801 ; from Binghamton, N. E., 18 
miles. Lisle, Lisle Centre, and Union Village, are post-offices. This 
town was settled in 1792 by emigrants from the eastern states. Pop. 
1,558. 

" A congregational church was organized in what is called Lisle, in 
the year 1797, by the Rev. Seth Williston, who had, a short time pre- 
viously, been sent there by the Connecticut Missionary Society, upon 
the personal application of Mr. Edwards. The church consisted, in 
its first formation, of sixteen members, eleven of whom were by pro- 
fession. In 1801, William Osborn was elected to the office of a 
deacon; but it was not till 1810 that he was consecrated by the im- 
position of hands from the presbytery ; and his colleague, Andrew 
Squires, was consecrated at the same time. 

" Mr. Williston employed about half of his time in pastoral duties in 
this congregation; the rest of his time he missionated in Union, 
Owego, and in Oquago. He was installed pastor of the church in 
Lisle, in October, 1803 ; and from this period he appears to have em- 
ployed all his time within the pastoral limits of this one congregation, 
until he was dismissed from it in 1810. The church of Lisle was the 
earliest organized, it is believed, of any west of the Catskill and south 
of Utica. At the time of Mr. Williston's installation, the council or- 
ganized what then was called ' The Susquehannah Association,' tak- 
ing in some of the northern counties of Pennsylvania. 

" In the year 1796, Mr. E. Edwards built the first saw-mill on the 
Onondaga or its waters; and was nearly, if not quite, the first that 
came down the Chenango with a raft. He subsequently carried on 
lumbering to a great extent ; and the pine timber of that section being 
of a superior quality, compensated for his being so far back from the 
broader stream of the Susquehannah. The first grist-mill was built 
much later, by Dr. Wheeler. Previous to this, the inhabitants came 
down to Castle creek for their grinding ; and when that mill failed 
for want of water, they were obliged to go to Tioga Point." 

Nanticoke, taken from Lisle in 1831 ; from Albany 144 miles. 



BROOME COUNTY. 73 

There are sulphur springs in the N. W. part of the town ; 14 miles 
N. W. from Binghamton. Pop. 418. 

Sand FORD, taken from Windsor in 1821 ; from Albany 121, from 
Binghamton, E., 24 miles. The town is thinly settled, being stony 
and mountainous. Pop. 1,172. 

Triangle, so named from its shape, taken from Lisle in 1831 ; 
from Albany 132, from Binghamton, N., 17 miles. Pop. 1,692. Tri- 
angle post-oifice is at Clarke's settlement, near the E. line, where 
there are about 30 dwellings. At Union Village is the post-office 
named Upper Lisle. 

Union was organized in 1791 ; lies on the north side of the Sus- 
quehannah ; its surface is undulating, with a fertile soil of gravelly 
loam. The village of Union is on the Susquehannah, 9 miles W. 
from Binghamton, containing about 50 houses and 300 inhabitants. 
Maine post-office is in the northern part of the town. Pop. 2,600. 

The town appears to have been first settled about the year 1789. 
One of the most prominent settlers was Gen. Oringh Stoddard, one 
of the commissioners appointed by the Boston Company to treat with 
the Indians. Amos Patterson, afterward judge of Broome county, 
and Joshua Mersereau, one of the earliest judges of old Tioga 
county, were early settlers in Union. Judge Mersereau and his 
brother John, were originally from New Jersey. Previous to the 
revolutionary war, these two brothers removed to Staten Island, 
where they kept a large tavern. It is stated that they were the first 
persons who commenced a line of stages from New York to Phila- 
delphia, uniting their line with the boats that plied between their own 
dock and New York. 

When Staten Island fell into the hands of the British, Judge Mer- 
sereau and his brother, being zealous in the American cause, left the 
island and entered into the American service. These two brothers 
were the principal agents in preventing the British from crossing the 
Delaware in their pursuit of Washington. Judge Mersereau, who 
was a commissary through the war, was much about the person of 
Washington. When he had crossed the Delaware, he was asked if 
he was sure that he had removed every thing that could be employed 
to transport the enemy over. Washington replied he thought he 
had. Judge Mersereau begged the privilege of re-crossing with his 
brother and making search. They went back and searched the op- 
posite shore, and found, below the surface of the water, two Durham 
boats, which had been timely sunk by a royalist who lived near. 
They raised them up and took them to the Pennsylvania side. 

" Several of the Indians, whose particular location was at the Castle 
farm, had temporary huts or wigwams in Union, near the river, and 
on both sides. These they occupied more or less for several years 
after the country was settled. Where, and in what manner, they ob- 
tained their salt was always a mystery to the whites. They would 
strike a course over the mountain about opposite Judge Mersereau's, 
on the south side of the river, and after an absence of about twelve 
hours, would return with a pail or kettle of salt ; and that, too, im- 

10 



'^4 CAYUGA COUNTY. 

mediately upon their return, would be warm. Old Mr, Richards 
used to say, that the Indians would cross the river below Willow 
Point, rise the mountain, and bring back salt. Sometimes it would 
be warm. He inferred that there must be a salt spring near, but it 
never could be found. John D. Mersereau relates, that when a lad, 
his father and himself have endeavored to follow the Indians when 
they were known to have set out for salt ; but they soon would ap- 
pear to be apprehensive that they were watched, and would either 
remain where they were, or turn from their course. Never more 
than two would set out upon the expedition. They used the utmost 
precaution to prevent the whites from ever discovering the secret 
spot. They had other places to which they resorted for salt, one or 
more in the neighborhood of Oquago. Why these sources of salt 
have never been found by the whites, is a mystery. 

Vestal was taken from Union in 1823, being divided from that 
town by the Susquehannah. It is a lumbering town, being but a 
small part of it cultivated. Major David Barney was one of the first 
settlers. He came down the river from Cooperstown with a large 
family of children in a canoe. Vestal is 8 miles S. W. from Bing- 
hamton. Pop. 1,250. There are two post-offices, Vestal, S. Vestal. 



CAYUGA COUNTY. 

Cayuga county was formed from Onondaga in 1799 ; but other 
counties have since been taken from it. Greatest length N. and S. 
55, greatest breadth E. and W. 23 miles. From Albany, W., 156 
miles, from New York, 301. Upon the S. the surface rises into 
ridges, along the Cayuga lake, the Owasco lake and inlet, and the 
Skaneateles lake. The disposition of the waters shows an irregular 
surface. The Poplar ridge, E. of the Cayuga lake, rises in some 
places to 600 feet above, but has a gentle slope towards the lake, dis- 
playing finely cultivated farms. The eastern declivity of this and 
other hills are more abrupt. On the N. of Auburn, the country is 
comparatively level, yet has a rolling appearance from the many 
large gravel hills scattered over the plain, assuming in many places 
the semblance of stupendous mounds formed by art. This gravel 
has much limestone, and produces excellent wheat. Few portions 
of the state possess more fertile lands, or can boast of higher cultiva- 
tion. In all the fruits of the climate, this county is prolific. About 
two thirds of the land is under improvement. The southern portion 
is most thickly settled. The Cayuga lake, which fonns a large part 
of the western boundary, is a beautiful sheet of water, 36 miles long, 
and from 1 to 4 broad. The county is divided into 22 towns. Pop. 
50,364. 

Auburn was taken from Aurelius in 1823. The town, 3 miles by 



CAYUGA COUNTY. 



75 



2, comprehending 6 lots of the old miUtary tract, is included within 
the chartered limits of the village. The compact part of the village 
lies 2h miles from Lake Owasco, on the outlet of that name. It is 
156 miles from Albany, 314 from New York, 7 from Weedsport on 
the Erie canal, and 339 from Washington. Pop. 5,626. There are 
2 Presbyterian churches, 1 Episcopal, 1 Baptist, 1 Universalist, and 
1 Catholic ; a state prison, courthouse, theological seminary, an 
academy, 2 banks, 4 printing-offices, and a number of splendid hotels. 
Auburn is one of the most thriving and beautiful villages in the state. 
Its principal streets are adorned with lofty buildings of brick and 
limestone. 




Eastern part of Genesee-street, Auburn. 

Auburn was first settled in 1793, by Col. John L. Hardenbergh, 
and was for many years called " Hardenbergh' s Corners." It became 
a post village in 1800, and in 1805 the county town ; and received its 
present name from Dr. Crosset. At this time, the village consisted 
of but a few log dwellings, a store or two, a gi'ist-mill, &c., all situ- 
ated near the bank of the creek, not far from the spot occupied by 
the establishment of Messrs. Leonard & Warden. 

In 1807, the building of the courthouse was commenced, and the 
county courts removed to this place from Aurora. In 1811, the vil- 
lage is supposed to have contained about 300 inhabitants ; the court- 
house was the only public building ; even this was in an unfinished 
state. The construction of an academy, a three-story brick budding, 
and a neat little Episcopal church were commenced, and a Pres- 
byterian society formed during this year. 

In 1815, Auburn was incorporated a village, at which time it con- 



76 



CAYUGA COUNTY. 



tained 1,000 inhabitants. From this period, its improvement became 
more rapid and uniform ; walks were now put down on the principal 
streets, which before were muddy and uneven. In 1816, the state 
prison was founded in this place ; the first Presbyterian church in 
North-street was commenced, and the Bank of Auburn, capital 
$200,000, was chartered. In April, 1817, the village contained 
1,506 inhabitants, 148 dwellings, 20 stores, and 40 mechanic sliops. 
A railroad connects Auburn with Syracuse. This road is 26 miles 
long, and was constructed at an expense of $460,000. A railroad is 
now constructing between this place and Rochester, which passes 
some distance S. of the Erie canal, through the flourishing villages 
of Canandaigua and Geneva, a distance by this route of 77^ miles. 




Auburn Theological Seminary. 

The Auburn Theological Seminary was established by the synod of 
Geneva in 1819, and by the act of incorporation, in 1820, was placed 
under commissioners, chosen by the synods of Genesee, Geneva, and 
Oneida. There are four professors in the institution. Over 300 
clergymen have been educated since its establishment. In 1839, the 
numijer of students was 71. The principal building is of stone, pre- 
senting a front of 200 feet. The library exhibits a valuable collec- 
tion of choice theological works, and contains upwards of 5,000 vols. 
No charge is made for the use of the library, rooms, or furniture. 
The Methodist Episcopal society was organized in 1821 ; their house, 
on Chapel-street, was erected soon after, and has been since sold to 
the Catholics ; their present stone chapel, on North-street, was erected 
in 1833. The Baptist society was organized in 1825, and built a 
•church on South-street, (since sold to the Universalists.) in 1829; 
their church on Genesee-street was erected in 1834. The Second 
Presbyterian society was organized in 1829, and the foundation of 
their house laid. In 1833, the Universalist society was organized; 
and in 1834, the Catholics fitted up their church on Chapel-street. 

The following is a representation of the state prison as viewed from 
the N. ; the cupola of the courthouse is seen in the distance. The 



CAYUGA COUNTY. 



77 




State Prison at Auburn. 



erection of this prison commenced in 1816. "It occupies a plot of 
ground forming a square 500 feet each way, enclosed with a boundary 
wall 2,000 feet in extent, 30 feet high, and 4 feet thick at the base. 
A small river or creek runs along the S. side of the boundary, and 
sufficient power from the stream is obtained, by means of a water- 
wheel and shaft through the wall, to work the machinery within the 
prison. The prison buildings stand back about 80 feet from the 
road, and form three sides of a square ; the front part being about 
280 feet long ; each of the return wings is 240 feet long and 45 in 
depth." The cost of erecting the prison was more than $500,000. 
The usual number of prisoners of late years has been between 6 and 
700. The earnings of the prison during the year ending Sept. 1839, 
was $60,161.46; the expenditures during the same period, $51,671.21. 
Religious instruction is regularly given by the chaplain. Sunday 
schools are instituted in the prisons, in which the students in the the- 
ological seminary and other pious persons assist ; the younger por- 
tion of the convicts, if illiterate, are taught to read, write, and cast 
accounts. 

" The building contained originally 550 cells. More, we believe, 
have lately been added. They are principally distributed into four 
tiers or stories, and constructed on each side of the block or wing. 
The cells are each 7 feet long, 7 feet high, and 3^ wide. They are 
sufficiently lighted, well warmed, and ventilated. The area between 
the cells and the parallel walls, 10 feet wide, is open from the ground 
to the roof; and of this interval, 3 feet adjoining the cells are occu- 
pied by the galleries. This space in front of the cells forms a com- 
plete sounding-gallery, so that the watchman in the open area on the 
ground can hear even a whisper, from a distant cell in the upper 
stoty. 

" Such are the provisions and precautions for the separate confine- 
ment of the prisoners at night. In the daytime, they are compelled 
to labor together, in an orderly and penitential manner. Soon after 
daylight, on a signal given by the prison bell, the turnkey unlocks the 



78 



CAYUGA COUNTY. 




Prisoners at the State Prison at Auburn. 



doors of the cells, when the convicts, each with his night tub, water 
can, and mush kid, march out ; and having disposed of these articles 
according to the order of the prison, proceed to the workshops, 
where they commence the labor of the day. At a fixed hour another 
bell is rung, when they form again in line, and march in silence, with 
closed files, to the mess-room, where they breakfast at narrow tables, 
so arranged that they are unable to exchange even looks or signs. 
After an interval of 20 to 30 minutes, they return in the same manner 
to the workshops. At 12 o'clock, they dine under the same care to 
prevent intercourse. On the approach of night, they wash their 
faces and hands, and at the ringing of the bell, form a line according 
to the number of their cells, march out of the shops to their tubs, and 
at the word of command take them up, step forward and empty into 
the drain the water which had been placed in them in the morning 
to purify them. They then proceed, with closed files, the tubs hang- 
ing on their arms, to the wash-room, adjoining the kitchen, where 
their mush and molasses in a kid, and water in a can for drinking, 
have been placed together, in rows, by the cooks ; and, without 
breaking their step, they stoop and take up the can and kid, march to 
their respective galleries, enter their cells as they arrive at them, and 
pull the doors partly shut. Each gallery is occupied by one compa- 
ny, which is marched and locked up by one turnkey, with two keys, 
differing from each other, and from all the rest. The convicts then 
eat supper in their respective cells. At an early hour they are re- 
quired, by the ringing of a bell, to take off their clothes and go to 
bed, upon their canvass hammocks; when well, they are not permitted 
to lie down before the bell rings, nor to get up again, but from neces- 
sity, until the ringing of the morning bell. During the night, turn- 
keys are constantly moving round the galleries, wearing woollen 
socks on their feet, and walking so noiselessly that the convicts are 
notable to discover ^their presence or absence; and thus the whole 



CAVUGA COUNTY, 



79 



wing, containing several hundred convicts, is preserved in perfect 
stillness and order. It is obvious that no communication can take 
place between the convicts at night, without the connivance or negli- 
gence of the turnkeys, which is guarded against by the visits of the 
keeper and his deputies at different hours." — Gordon's Gaz. 

The following inscriptions are copied from monuments in the grave- 
yard N. of the village. 

" Professori HisT. Eccles Pclitiaeque nostra Reverendo Matthaeo La Rue Perrine D. D. 
quindecim annos a principio in Sominario Auburnensi theologico qui eruditus diiuctus mo. 
destus impietate erga deani a'que homines cunctos imagine Dei creates sinccrus vixit nato 
maii V MDCCLXXVII moriturus exitum prospexit tranquiilus patiens benignus spe in 
Cliristo solo radiatus christum esse verum deum et redemptorem suum gloriosissimum 
gaudens confessus et precatus triumphavit suis benedixit gloriae ascendit Feb. XII 
MDCCCXXXVI Hunc lapidem amici nonnulli orbati posuere." 

[To the memory of Rev. Matthew La Rue Perrine, D. D., Professor of Ecclesiastical 
History and Polity, for fifteen years, in the Theological Seminary at Auburn. He was 
learned, amiable, and modest, and lived in sincere piety towards God and good will towards 
all men created in the image of God. He was born May 5, 1777. In the near prospect 
of death he was tranquil and patient, illumined by hope in Christ al(5ne, whom he joyfully 
confessed to be the true God and his most glorious Redeemer. Having prayed, he tri- 
umphed over death, blessed his friends, and ascended to glory, Feb. 12, 1836. — Some of 
his bereaved friends have erected this monument to his memory.] 

" 1 Cor. 15 ; 57. ' But thanks be to God which giveth us the victory through our Lord 
•Jesus Christ,' Hev. William Leivis, Jr., son of Wm. and Mary Lewis of *his vicinity. After 
his course of preparatory studies in Williams College and Auburn Theo. Seminary, and 
successfully devoting himself to the cause of Education, Temperance and Piety in Canada, 
New York, Indiana, and Ohio, he went home to God, 4 April, 1838, aged 36 years. From 
the bible class, his interest in religion began. His faith and character were formed on the 
Bible ; and he went down the dark valley saying ' all is light.' " 

AuRELius, organized in 1789; bounds since altered; from Albany 
159 miles. Pop. 2,644. Cayuga, 8 miles W. from Auburn, has about 
30 dwellings. Aurelius and Fosterdale are small villages. Clarks- 
ville, 1 mile W. from Auburn, has about 50 dwellings. 




Cayuga Bridge. 

The above view of Cayuga Bridge, which crosses the Cayuga 
lake on the great western turnpike, was taken on the western bank, 
and shows on the opposite side of the lake a portion of the little vil- 
lage of Cayuga. The large building on the right is the well-known 
tavern of Mr. Titus, having superior accommodations. This bridge, 
so famous in political estimates, was commenced in May, 1799, and 



80 CAYUGA COUNTY. 

finished in September, 1800. It was built by the Manhattan Com- 
pany of New York, and cost $150,000. Its length is one mile. 
" This bridge is the longest in America, perhaps in the world, and 
yet five years ago," says a traveller in 1800, " the Indians possessed 
the shores of the lake, imbosomed in almost impenetrable woods." 
The first bridge was built on mud sills — the second on piles — the 
third and last was erected in 1833, and cost about $15,000. 

Brutus, taken from Aurelius in 1802. Pop. 2,045. Weedsport, 
incorporated in 1831, on the canal 7 miles N. of Auburn, 26 from 
Syracuse, 87 W. of Utica, and 197 by canal from Albany, is a flour- 
ishing village, with about 120 dwellings. Centre ville is a small vil- 
lage on the canal. 

Cato, taken from Aurelius in 1802; bounds since altered ; from 
Albany 155, from Auburn, N. E., 13 miles. Cato Corners and Cato 
are small villages. Pop. 2,380. 

CoNauEST, taken from Cato in 1821 ; from Albany 162 miles. 
Pop. 1,911. The post-oflice is 19 miles N. N. W. of Auburn. 

Fleming, taken from Aurelius in 1823; from Albany 160 miles. 
Pop. 1,330. Fleming, 5 miles S. of Auburn, has about 20 dwellings'. 

Genoa, organized by the General Sessions of Ontario county, in 
1789, by the name of Milton; name and bounds since altered ; from 
Albany 185, from Auburn centrally distant, S.,20 miles. Pop. 2,591. 
Genoa, formerly called the " Indian Fields," has about 40 dwellings. 
Northville has about 20 dwellings. Kings Ferry, Five Corners, and 
East Genoa are post-offices. 

Ira, taken from Cato in 1821 ; from Albany 189 miles. Pop. 2,282. 
Ira, 24 miles N. of Auburn, has about 25 dwellings. 

Led YARD, taken from Scipio in 1823. Aurora, post village 18 
miles S. W. from Auburn, is beautifully situated upon the lake in a 
fertile country, and has several churches, the Cayuga Academy, and 
about 125 dwellings. Levana, also upon the lake, 14 miles from 
Auburn, is a small village. Pop. 2,500. 

Locke, taken from Milton, original name of Genoa, in 1802 ; from 
Albany 166, from Auburn centrally distant, S. E., 21 miles. Milan, 
at which is the post-office of the town, has about 50 dwellings. Pop. 
1,800. 

Mentz, originally named Jefferson, and taken from Aurelius in 1808;. 
from Albany 161 miles. Pop. 4,215. Port Byron, on the canal, 3 
miles W. from Weedsport, and 8 from Auburn, has about 150 dwell- 
ings. Tbroopsville is a small manufacturing village on the Owasco 
outlet, 3 miles N. W. from Auburn. Montezuma Village is situated 
•at the junction of the Seneca, Cayuga, and Erie canals. It con- 
t&ins an Episcopal and a Baptist church, a collector's office, and 
«ibout 75 dwellings: distant, 10 miles from Auburn, 21 from Geneva, 
€4 fi-om Rochester, 7 from Cayuga, 35 from Syracuse, and 205 fi-om 
Albany. In 1839, the state was successful in sinking a shaft about 
300 feet, from which issues a large quantity of the best salt water in 
the state. The -salt made from it is remarkably free from impurities, 
and the facilities for its manufacture are great, the ground being good 



CAYUGA COUNTY. 81 

and fire-wood plenty. No lime is used in the manufacture of salt 
from these springs. The Montezuma marshes commence about a 
mile westward of the village : they are gradually drying away, and 
it is believed that the healthfulness of this town is now equal to 
any in the vicinity. 

" This marshy tract," says a well known writer, " is the paradise 
of 7nusquetoes" which tiny and troublesome insect are here notorious 
for their numbers, size, and '• penetrating proboscis." The following 
is said to be the tradition of the Onondagas respecting the origin of 
this " musical insect :" 

" There were, in times of old — many hundred moons ago — two huge feathered monsters 
permitted by the Manitou to descend from the sky and Hght upon the banks of the Seneca 
river, near the present route of the canal, at Montezuma. Their form was exactly that of 
a musquetoe, and they were so large that they darkened the sun like a cloud, as they flew 
between the earth and it. Standing the one upon one side of the river, and the other op- 
posite on the other bank, they guarded the river, and stretching their long necks into the 
canoes of the Indians as they attempted to paddle along the stream, gobbled them up as 
the stork king in the fable did the frogs. The destruction of life was great, for the em- 
bargo was so strictly enforced that not an Indian could pass without being devoured in the 
attempt. It was long before the monsters could be exterminated, and then only by the 
combined efforts of all the warriors of the Cayuga and Onondaga nations of Indians. 
The battle was terrible, but the warriors finally triumphed, and the mammoth musquetoea 
were slain. But, sad to relate, as their carcases decomposed in the sun, every particle be- 
came vivified, and flew oflf daily in myriads of clouds of musquetoes ! And they have filled 
the country ever since." 

Moravia, taken from Sempronius in 1833 ; from Albany 157, from 
Aubiu-n centrally distant, S. E., 20 miles. Settlements were com- 
menced here in 1794. A branch of the Owasco inlet here falls per- 
pendicularly 70 feet. Pop. 2,010. Moravia is a small village. 

NiLEs, taken from Sempronius in 1833; from Albany 160, from 
Auburn centrally distant, S. E., 15 miles. Kellogsville and West 
Niles are post-offices. Pop. 2,234. 

Owasco, taken from Aurelius in 1802; from Albany 164 miles. 
Owasco, a small village, is 8 miles S. E. from Auburn. Pop. 1,331. 

SciPio, organized as part of Ontario county in 1789 ; bounds since 
altered; from Albany 180, centrally distant S. from Auburn, 10 
miles. Scipio, N. Scipio, Sherwood's Corners, and Scipioville are 
post-offices. Pop. 2,255. 

Sempronius, organized in 1799; from Albany 153, from Auburn 
centrally distant, S. E., 16 miles. Skaneateles lake touches it on the 
N. Pop. 1,304. 

Sennet, taken from Brutus in 1807; from Albany 160 miles. 
Sennet, 5 miles N. of Auburn, has about 30 dwellings. Pop. 2,060. 

Springport, taken from Scipio and Aurelius in 1823 ; from Albany 
166 miles. Pop. 1,891. Union Springs, so called from two springs 
whose united waters form a useful mill-stream, laid out in 1813, on 
the Cayuga lake, 10 miles S. W. from Auburn, has about 50 dwellings. 

Sterling, the northernmost town, formed fromCato in 1812 ; from 
Albany 172, from Auburn, N., centrally distant 28 miles. Sterling, 
Martville, and Little Sodus are post-offices. Pop. 2,536. 

Summer Hill, originally named Plato, and taken from Locke in 

11 



82 CATTARAUGUS COUNTY. 

1821 ; from Albany 147, from Auburn, S. E., centrally distant 25 
miles. Summer Hill, in the south part, has about 20 dwellings. 
Pop. 1,446. 

Venice, taken from Scipio in 1823 ; W. from Albany 162 miles. 
Smith's Corners, 14 miles S. W. of Auburn, Talcott's 15, Tupper's 17, 
and Stuart's Corners, are small villages. Pop. 2,105. 

Victory, taken fromCatoin 1821 ; from Albany 167, from Auburn 
N., 20 miles. Lathrop's Corners has about 25 or 30 dwellings. 
Pop. 2,371. 



CATTARAUGUS COUNTY. 

Cattaraugus county, taken from Genesee in 1803; centrally dis- 
tant from New York via Catskill, 384; from Albany, 292; from 
Buffalo, S. E., 50 miles. Length, E. and W., 39, and greatest breadth 
N. and S. 36 miles. It derives its name from the Indian word Gah- 
ta-ra-ke-ras, signifying stinking shore or beach, originally applied to 
Lake Erie, and thence extended over the adjacent country. This 
county is highly elevated, being from 500 to 1200 feet above Lake 
Erie. Its surface is broken by some hills of no mean pretensions to 
the character of mountains, but in general it is but moderately uneven, 
and in some parts quite level. In the S., along the Allegany river, 
there are broad belts of white pine, behind which there are marshes ; 
excepting these, the lands are generally firm, and timbered with a 
variety of trees of lofty growth. No region of this state, and proba- 
bly none of any other in the Union, was originally covered with an 
equal amount of valuable timber. Some of the trees have measured 
230 feet in height, and five of them have been known to furnish an 
hundred " lumber-man's" logs. Shingles and boards for the supply 
of the whole western world, have been manufactured in the shingle 
shanties and saw-mills upon the Allegany and its tributaries. The 
lands in the N. part are warmer and better adapted to grain and 
grass crops than in the south, except at the S. W. corner. This 
county formed part of the Holland Land Company's purchase, who 
originally owned it all excepting the Indian reservations. About one 
eighth of the county is under improvement. The county is divided 
into 26 towns. Pop. 28,803. 

AsHFORD, taken from Ellicottville in 1824; from Albany 282, from 
Buflalo 40, from Ellicottville, N., 10 miles. Pop. 1,462. Not more 
than a tenth part of the town is yet under improvement. The valley 
of the Cattaraugus creek, on the northern line of the town, is from 1 
to 2 miles broad, and fertile. Ashford is a small village. 

Burton was taken from Great Valley in 1831 ; centrally distant 
from Ellicottville, S. E., 16 miles. Pop. 511. "Allegany city," is a 
plot laid out some years since upon the Allegany river, near the east- 



CATTAEAUOU3 COUNTY. 83 

em boundary. Not more than one thirtieth part of this town is under 
improvement. 

Cold Spring was taken from NapoH, of which it formed the south- 
ern part. Pop. 673. This township is intersected by the Allegany 
river. At the mouth of Cold Spring creek, which enters this stream, 
is an " Indian village called Tunes-assah ; the reservation, one mile 
in width along the river, extends some miles above and several be- 
low this point into Pennsylvania; this remnant lately had at its head 
the celebrated chief Cornplanter, who died early in the year 1836, 
aged about 100 years. Some of the tribe are wealthy ; have large 
stocks of cattle, and some saw-mills. Much is due for the improve- 
ment of their condition to the judicious efforts of the society of 
' Friends,' of Philadelphia, who have long maintained instructers 
among them, teaching the primitive arts of civilization, and who 
have a settlement in the southern part of the town." Some of the 
last of the Indian prophets incorporated a part of the tenets of Chris- 
tianity into their pagan system. A few years since, a portion of the 
Indians in this town were in the practice of collecting around a log 
about 30 feet long, worked into a resemblance of the human form, to 
which they performed a kind of worship. The son of Cornplanter 
subsequently persuaded them to throw it into the river. 

Cornplanter, the chief above-mentioned, it appears, was the son of 
a white man, who lived in the vicinity of Fort Plank ; his mother was 
a young woman of the Seneca tribe. The Seneca Indians, during 
the revolutionary war, were led on against the Americans in the Mo- 
hawk valley, by Cornplanter, who, in one of his incursions, took his 
father prisoner. He however treated him well, and released him 
from confinement. In a letter written by Cornplanter to the govern- 
or of Pennsylvania in 1822, complaining of the attempt to impose 
taxes upon him and the Senecas residing on the Allegany, he began 
as follows: 

" When I was a child, I played with the butterfly, the grasshopper, and the frogs. As I 
grew up, I began to pay some attention, and play with the Indian boys in the neighborhood, 
and they took notice of my skin being a different color from theirs, and spoke about it. I 
inquired of my mother the cause, and she told me that my father was a resident of Albany. 
I ate still my victuals out of a bark dish : I grew up to be a young man, and married me a 
wife, but I had no kettle or gun. I then knew where my father lived, and went to see 
him, and found he was a white man and spoke the English language. He gave me victuals 
while I was at his house, but when I started to return home he gave me no provision to eat 
on the way. He gave me nei'her kettle nor gun, neither did he tell me that the United 
States were about to rebel against the government of England," &c. &c. 

" Cornplanter lived to a great age, having deceased within the last eight or ten years. 
He was an able man, distinguished in subsequent negotiations. He was eloquent, and a 
great advocate for temperance. He made a very effective and characteristic speech upon 
that subject in 1822. 'The Great Spirit first made the world, and next the flying animals, 
and found all things good and prosperous. He is immortal and everlasting. After finish- 
ing the flying animals, he came down upon the earth and there stood. Then he made dif- 
ferent kinds of trees, and woods of all sorts, and people of every kind. He made the 
spring and other seasons, and the weather suitable for planting. These he did make. But 
stills, to make whiskey to give to Indians, he did not make.' * * * * ' The Great 
Spirit told us that there were three things for people to attend to. First, we ought to take 
care of our wives and children. Secondly, the white people ought to attend to their farms 
and cattle. Thirdly, the Great Spirit has given the bears and deers to the Indians.' * * * 
' The Great Spirit lias ordered me to quit drinking. • He wishes me to inform the people 



84 CATTARAUGUS COUNTY. 

that they sliould quit drinking intoxicating drink.' In the course of the same speech, he 
gave evidence that he was not overmuch pleased with the admixture of his own blood. 
* * * i The different kinds the Great Spirit made separate, and not to mix M'ith and 
disturb each other. But the white people have broken this command, by mixing their 
color with the Indians. The Indians have done better by not doing so.' " — Stone^s Life 
of Brant. 

Ganothjowaneh, a distinguished chief of the Seneca tribe, was, it 
is said, a superior orator to Red Jacket. He was called by the 
whites, Big Kettle, that being the signification of his Indian name. It 
is stated that he never tasted ardent spirits, and opposed the practice 
among the Indians, and suffered some persecutions on this account. 
During the early period of his life, he was opposed to the introduction 
of Christianity, but latterly was rather in favor of it. Mr. Wright, 
the missionary, now living among the Senecas, near Buffalo, attempt- 
ed to persuade him to embrace the Christian religion. When told 
that he was a sinner in the sight of God, Big Kettle appeared to be 
somewhat surprised ; throwing himself in an oratorical attitude, he 
recounted a long list of his good deeds, and endeavored to make it 
appear that he was not a sinner. He once came to Mr. Wright, and 
asked him the question, " Does God overrule all things ?" " Certainly," 
replied Mr. Wright. " I tell my people so, in council," replied Big 
Kettle ; " but when I am alone, and think how much iniquity is prac- 
tised by the white people in getting away our lands, &c., and how they 
go on without being punished, I have my doubts." He said that the 
preaching of the missionaries was good, and that the Indians would 
listen to, and follow it, but he said it would be useless : the bad habits 
of his people were so strong, the attempt to break them up would be 
as idle as to " stop the wind from blowing down Lake Erie." 

CoNNEWANGo, formcd from Little Valley in 1823; from Albany, 
312, from EUicottville, S. W., 20 miles. The soil is excellent. Pop. 
1,316. Rutledge is a small post village. 

Dayton, taken from Perry sburg in 1835 ; from Albany 302, from 
EUicottville, N. W., 25 miles. Pop. 922. The surface of the town is 
undulating, and generally heavily timbered. 

Ellicottville, taken from Ischua in 1820 ; was named after Joseph 
Ellicott, late principal agent of the Holland Land Company. Pop. 
1,088. 

EUicottville, the county seat, is from Albany 292, from New York, 
by the way of Cattskill, 384, from Mayville, E., 50, from Angelica, 
W., 35, and from Buffalo, S. W., 50 miles. Gi-ove Hurlburt and 
Orrin Pitcher were the first settlers, and came here in 1815. The 
following view of the county buildings was taken near Gregory's 
tavern. The Episcopal church is seen on the left. The courthouse 
is the larger building, fronting the spectator. The jail, a stone struct- 
ure, is seen on the right. There are here, besides the above, 2 
land and 2 weekly newspaper offices, a fine hotel, a Presbyterian 
church, and about 90 dwellings. The scenery of the valley and sur- 
rounding hills is beautiful, and has been compared to the Italian. 

Farmersville, taken from Olean in 1812 ; area since much re- 
duced; from Albany 280, and from Ellicottville, N. E., 19 miles. 



CATTARAUGUS COUNTY. 



85 



Pop. 1,294. Farmersville is a small post village. About one fourth 
part of the town is under cultivation. 




Southern View of the Public Buildings, Ellicottville. 

Franklin viLLE, taken from Olean, by the name of Ischua, in 1812. 
Pop. 1,276. Franklinville Village in the N. E. angle of the town, 
13 miles N. E. from Ellicottville, has about 60 dwellings. Cadiz, a 
mile below on the Ischua creek, has about 40 dwellings. 

Freedom, formed from Ischua, or Franklinville, in 1820. Pop. 
1,831. Freedom Village, 26 N. E. from Ellicottville, Chelsea 21, 
and Sandusky 24 miles, are small settlements. There is here an oil 
spring, similar in many respects to the famous Seneca oil spring at 
Cuba, Allegany county. 

Great Valley, taken from Olean in 1818 ; from Albany 299, cen- 
trally distant S. from Ellicottville 11 miles. Chamberlain is a village. 
Kilbuck and Great Valley are post-offices. The Indian reservation, 
about a mile wide, extends along the river to the east line of the 
town. Pop. 843. 

Hinsdale, taken from Olean in 1820. Pop. 1,937. Hinsdale, 26 S. 
E., and West Hinsdale, 16 miles from Ellicottville, are post villages. 

Humphrey, taken from Burton ; from Ellicottville, S. E., centrally 
distant 10 miles. Chapelsburg is a post-office. Pop. 459. 

Leon, taken from Connewango in 1832; from Albany 307, from 
Ellicottville, W., 18 miles. Leon Centre is a small village. Leon 
and Leon Mills are post-offices. Pop. 1,325. 

Little Valley, taken from Perry in 1818; Little Valley village 
is a small settlement, 7 miles S. W. from Ellicottville. Bucktooth is 
a post-office. Not one fortieth part of the town is settled. The In- 
dian reservation extends along the Allegany river through this town. 
Pop. 671. 

Lyndon, taken from Franklinville in 1829 ; from Albany 277, and 
from ElUcottville, E., 20 miles. Hopkins is a post-office. Pop. 628. 



86 CATTARAUGUS COUNTY. 

Machias, taken from Yorkshire in 1827 ; from Albany 288, from 
Ellicottville, N. E., 10 miles. Machias, a post-office, and Machias 
Corners, are small settlements. Pop. 1,085. 

Mansfield, taken from Little "Valley in 1830, originally named 
Cecilius ; from Albany 296, and from Ellicottville, W., 5 miles. 
Pop. 960. 

Napoli, originally named Cold Spring, and taken from Little Valley. 
Seeleysburg, 13 miles S. W. from Elhcottville, is a post-office. Na- 
poli is a small village. Pop. 1,142. 

New Albion, taken from Little Valley in 1830 ; from Albany 302, 
from Ellicottville, W., 10 miles. New Albion is a post-office. Pop. 
1,033. 

Olean, organized in 1808 ; bounds since much reduced. Pop. 638. 
Olean Village, at the junction of the Olean creek with the Alleghany 
river, is the oldest place in the county. It was founded by Major 
Hoops, and named by him, in honor of Gen. Hamilion, "Hamilton on 
the Allegany." Major Hoops was originally from Philadelphia, and 
served as an aid under Washington during the revolutionary war. 
This is a flourishing village, and is destined to become a place of im- 
portance. The New York and Erie railroad is to pass through it ; 
and the Genesee Valley canal, now constructing from Rochester 
south, is to terminate here. The width of the Allegany river is 20 
rods, with a channel free from obstructions. The amount of lumber 
annually sent to market by it, is about 200 millions of feet, board 
measure, of' superior quality. 

Otto, taken from Perrysburg in 1823 ; from Albany, W., 300 miles. 
Waverly, 1 1 miles N. W. from Ellicottville, is a small village. Otto 
and East Otto are names of post-offices. Pop. 2,125. 

Perrysburg, originally named Perry, was taken from Olean and 
Ischua in 1814. It is in the northwestern angle of the county ; from 
Albany 304, and from Ellicottville 30 miles. Perrysburg and Ver- 
sailles are small villages, and North Perrysburg a post-office. Pop. 
1,672. 

Persia, taken from Perrysburg in 1835 ; from Albany, W., 300 
miles. Pop. 870. Lodi, 25 miles N. W. from Ellicottville, upon 
both sides of the Cattaraugus creek, is partly in Erie county. It was 
first settled on the Erie county side of the creek, in 1811, by Mr. 
Turner Aldrich, one of the society of Friends ; and on the Cattarau- 
gus side, about the year 1813, by Benjamin Waterman, Thomas 
Farnsworth, Daniel and Ahaz Allen, and others. Both of the 
churches, the Presbyterian and Methodist, were built in 1832. At its 
first settlement, there was not a white inhabitant south of here in the 
western half of the county, and no road to Pennsylvania in the county, 
excepting an Indian trail. The village contains about 100 houses, 
an academy, and a weekly newspaper office. The creek in this 
town affi)rds a valuable water-power. 

PoRTviLLE, the S. E. town of the county, recently taken from 
Olean ; from Albany 296 miles. Pop. 462. Riceville is a small set- 
tlement ; Mill Grove a post-office. 



CHATAUaUE COUNTY. 87 

Randolph, taken from Connewango in 1826 ; from Ellicottville, 
S. W., centrally distant about 35 miles. East and West Randolph 
are small settlements. Pop. 1,283. 

Yorkshire, taken from Ischua in 1820 ; from Albany, W., 281, 
from Ellicottville, N. E., 15 miles. Yorkshire, Yorkshire Forks, and 
Delavan are small post villages. Pop. 1,292. 



CHATAUQUE COUNTY. 

CHATAuauE COUNTY, the southwestern county of the state, was 
formed from Genesee in 1808. The name is a corruption of the In- 
dian word Ots-ha-ta-ka, which signifies a foggy place, and was ap- 
plied to the country around the head of the Chatauque lake, even now 
famous for its fogs. Its greatest length N. and S.'is 40, and greatest 
breadth E. and W. 36 miles ; centrally distant from Albany, W., 
330, and from New York, by way of Cattskill, N. W., 428 miles. 
The soil generally is strong clay loam, very productive of large crops 
of wheat, barley, and corn ; the last is however destroyed sometimes 
by the early frosts to which the country is subject. The plain upon 
the lake is highly fertile, and produces the finest fruits adapted to the 
cHmate. 

This county, though bordering on Lake Erie, is situated on the 
elevated ground known as the " Chatauque Ridge," which divides the 
waters of the northern lakes from those of the Allegany river. This 
ridge is generally from 5 to 10 miles from the shore of Lake Erie, 
and elevated from 790 to 1400 feet above it. The general surface 
of the county, though hilly, is not mountainous, and the highest hills 
are arable to their summits and frequently adorned with valuable farms. 
The soil along the shore of Lake Erie from 1 to 4 miles wide is a border 
of rich alluvion, and along the margin of the rivers. The upland is 
generally a most loam. Grain is raised in considerable quantities, 
and the county is generally well adapted to g"azing. Fruit, such as 
apples, pears, and plums, succeeds well. 

Chatauque Lake is a fine sheet of water 16 miles long, and from 1 
to 4 wide. Its elevation is 1,305 feet above the ocean, and it is navi- 
gated by steamboats. This county formed part of the Holland Land 
Company's purchase; and wild lands were offered by them at $1 50 
to $4, per acre ; but a company from Batavia bought their interest in 
the wild land of the county. More than three quarters of the county 
are yet unimproved. The county is divided into 20 towns. Pop. 
47,641. 

Ark WRIGHT, taken from Pomfret and Villenova in 1829 ; distant 
from Albany 310, centrally situated from Mayville, N. E., 16 miles. 
Pop. 1,418. 

BusTi, formed from EUicott and Harmony in 1823 ; from Albany 



88 CHATAUaUE COUNTY. 

334, from Mayville, S. E., 17 miles. Its surface is hilly, and the soil 
good. Pop. 1,749. 

Carroll, taken from Ellicott in 1825; from Albany 336, from 
Mayville, S. E., 29 miles. Carroll and Frewsburgh are small set- 
tlements. Scarcely one third of the town is yet improved. Pop. 1,632. 

Charlotte, taken from Gerry in 1829; from Albany 325, and 
from Mayville, N. E., 13 miles. Charlotte Centre is a post-office, 
and Sinclairville a small post village. Pop. 1,428. 

CHATAuauE, organized as part of Genesee county in 1804 ; since 
much reduced in area. It is upon the " dividing ridge," but chiefly on 
its eastern declivity, and produces excellent crops of corn, v^^heat, 
and grass. Pop. 2,980. 




Western entrance into Mayville. 

Mayville the county seat, incorporated in 1830 ; distant, 336 
miles W. of Albany ; from New York, via Cattskill, 434 ; from Buf- 
falo, S. W., 66 ; from Erie, Penn., 35 ; from Warren, Penn., 40 ; from^ 
Portland Harbor, E., 7 miles. This is one of the most beautifuf 
sites for a village in the state, and is situated upon the high grounds 
at the head of the lake. The above view was taken near the resi- 
dence of Mr. M. P. Bemas, on the road to Westfield, at a point com- 
manding a view of the principal street and the lake in the distance. 
The top of the courthouse, a substantial edifice, costing $9,000, is 
seen on the left. Further down is the spire of the Episcopal church, 
nearly opposite to it the Baptist, and on the right of the engraving 
the Academy. The Methodist and Presbyterian churches are not 
seen from this point. The Episcopal, the first church built here, was 
erected about 1824. Mayville has about 80 dwellings. In the 
northern part are two springs on the " dividing ridge" within ten 
minutes walk of each other. One of which flows into those streams 
which empty into the Gulf of Mexico, and the other into those which 
flow into the Atlantic by the St. Lawrence. Hartfield, 2 miles E. of 
Mayville, is a small village. There is a post-office at De Wittville, 
and one called Magnolia. 

Cherry Creek, takea from Ellington in 1829 ; from Albany 320, 



CHATAUaUE COUNTY. 8D 

and from Mayville, E., 18 miles. There is a post-office at Cherry- 
Creek village. Pop. 1,141. 

Clymer, formed from Chatauque in 1821 ; from Albany 353, and 
from Mayville, S. W., 15 miles. Clymer is a small village, and 
Clymer Centre a post-office. Pop. 800. 

Ellery, on Chatauque lake, taken from Chatauque in 1821 ; from 
Albany 342, and from Mayville, S. E., 13 miles. Pop. 2,252. El- 
lery Centre is a small post village. 

Ellicott, taken from Pomfret in 1812 ; limits since reduced ; from 
Albany 330, and from Mayville, S. E., 22 miles. Pop. 2,568. 




Southern view of Jamestown. 

Jamestowrn, the principal village in the county, is on the Chatauque 
outlet, 4 miles below the lake, and contains about 200 dwellings. 
The above view was taken near the sawmill on the Chatauque out- 
let, seen in front, and shows the principal portion of the place. The 
spire in the centre of the view, is that of the Congregational church. 
The steeple on the left is the Presbyterian, and that on the right the 
Academy. There are also a Methodist and a Baptist church, and 
2 weekly newspaper offices in the place. A steamboat plies on 
the lake between here and Mayville. James Pendergrast, Esq., 
from Pittstown, Rensselaer co., established himself here in 1811 or 
'12, and laid the foundation of the village. The first tavern was built 
shortly after by Jacob Fen ton. But few dwellings were erected till 
1816, when the place rapidly increased by emigrants principally from 
the eastern part of the state. Fluvanna and Dexterville are villages. 

Ellington, taken from Gerry in 1824 ; from Albany 320, from 
Mayville, E., 20 miles. Pop. 1,709. Ellington and Clear Creek are 
small villages. 

French Creek, taken from Clymer in 1829 ; from Albany 35.5, 
from Mayville, S. W., 17 miles. Pop. 621. The greater part of the 
town is yet in its wilderness state. 

Gerry, divided from Pomfret in 1812 ; from Albany 326, from 
Mayville, S. E., 13 miles. Vermont is a small village. ' Pop. 1,246. 
About three fourths of the town is yet unimproved. 

Hanover, taken from Pomfret in 1812. Pop. 3,998. 

12 



90 



CHATAUaUE COUNTY. 



Silver creek, 33 miles from Buffalo, lies on a harbor on Lake Erie, 
and has about 100 dwellings. Forestville, on Walnut creek, 6 miles 
from the Lake, has about 100 dwellings, and a weekly newspaper 
office. Nashville, Smith's Mills, Irving, and Le Grange, are small 
settlements. 

" Walnut creek in this town has its name from a black walnut tree, which formerly stood 
a mile above its mouth, and was 36 feet in circumference at its base, gradually and grace, 
fully tapering 80 feet to the first limb. Its entire height was 150 feet, and was estimated to 
contain 150 cords of wood, or 50,000 feet of inch boards. The bark was a foot thick. The 
tree was entirely sound when blown down in 1822, and was supposed to have been 500 
years old. The butt, 9 feet in length, was transported to Buffalo, having been excavated, 
and was there occupied as a grocery. It was sul^sequently carried by the canal to the At. 
lantic cities, and, splendidly adorned, was exhibited for money to thousands of admirers." — 
Gordon'' s Gaz. 

Harmony, taken from Chatauque in 1816 ; from Albany 338, from 
Mayville, S., 13 miles. Ashville and Panama are small villages. 
Pop. 3,333. About one fourth of the town is under improvement. 

MiNA, taken from Clymer in 1824 ; from Albany 353, from Mayville, 
S. W., 13 miles. Pop. 870. There is a small settlement at Mina, and 
one at Finley's mills. Most of the town is yet in its wilderness state. 

Poland, taken from Ellicott in 1832 ; from Albany 316, from May- 
ville, S. E., 20 miles. Kennedy's Mills and Waterborough are small 
hamlets. Pop. 1,082. 

PoMFRET, taken from Chatauque in 1808, is on the " divided ridge." 
Pop. 4,556. Fredonia village was incorporated in 1829 ; is on the Can- 
adawa creek, 315 miles from Albany, 22 N. E. from Mayville, 45 S. 
W. from Buffalo, and 3 from Lake Erie at Dunkirk. It is the oldest 
village in the county, and was formerly called Canadawa, from the 
creek. It contains about 120 dwellings. The annexed view was 




Southern view of Fredonia. 

taken near the residence of Samuel Johnson, Esq. The large build- 
ing with a square tower is the Johnson House ; the steeple next to it 
is that of the Baptist church ; the third is the Academy, incorporated 
in 1836 ; the fourth the Presbyterian, and the fifth, on the extreme 



CHATAUaUE COUNTY. 91. 

right, the Episcopal church. The Methodist and UniversaUst church- 
es are not seen in the drawing. Laona, 2 miles above Fredonia, has 
a valuable water-power and about 45 dwellings. 

The following account of the Gas springs in this vicinity, is from 
the Report of Dr. Lewis C. Beck, published in the New York Geo- 
logical Reports for 1832. 

" Chatauque Gas Springs. — By far the most interesting exhibitions of the evolution of 
carburetted hydrogen, which occur in this state, are to be observed in the county of Cha- 
tauque. The village of Fredonia, indeed, has attracted much attention in consequence of the 
gas springs found in its immediate vicinity, although they are by no means confined to this 
particular locahty. The gas springs seem to have their origin in the strata of slate which 
form the bed of the stream, and which are everywhere met with in this vicinity, a short 
distance from the surface of the earth. This slate has a bluish color, and some of the 
layers are exceedingly fragile, requiring only a few years exposure to be completely con- 
verted into a clayey soil. The lower strata, however, resist atmospheric agencies, and are 
sometimes used as a building material. When recently broken, this slate always emits a 
strong bituminous odor, and it frequendy contains thin seams of a substance resembhng 
bituminous coal. Most commonly, however, this bituminous matter occurs in patches, hav- 
ing more the appearance of detached vegetable impressions than a regular stratum. Through 
fissures in this rock in the creek near the village, are everywhere to be seen bubbles of 
gas rising through the water. The evolution, however, is most abundant at the bridge, and 
about three quarters of a mile below. The gas, when collected in a proper vessel and fired, 
burns with a white flame tinged with yellow above, and blue near the orifice of the burner. 
Its illuminating power is not inferior to that of ordinary coal gas. When mixed with 
atmospheric air and ignited, it explodes violently. It contains no admixture of sulphuretted 
hydrogen. 

" The illuminating power of this gas, and its abundant supply, suggested the idea of its 
employment in lighting the village. A copious discharge of the gas was observed issuing 
from a fissure in the rock, which forms the bed of the creek, which it was thought could be 
diverted to a boring on the bank. A shaft was accordingly sunk through the slate about 
22 feet in depth, which occasionally passed through layers of the bituminous substance, 
already described, and the result was that the gas left the creek and issued through the 
shaft. By means of a tube, the gas was now conducted to a gasometer, and from thence to 
different parts of the village. The gasometer had a capacity of about 220 cubic feet, and 
was usually filled in about 15 hours, affording a sufficient supply of gas for 70 or 80 lights. 
Bubbles of the same gas are here and there seen rising through the water in this creek for 
nearly three quarters of a mile below the village. But the largest quantity is evolved at 
the latter point. It was not possible for me, with any apparatus which I could command, to 
determine the amount of gas given out at this place in a given time ; but bubbles rise with 
great rapidity from an area of more than 20 feet square, and I should probably be warranted 
in asserting that it is 5 or 6 times greater than that obtained at the village. 

" At Van Buren harbor, on Lake Erie, 4 miles from Fredonia, bubbles of inflammable 
gas may be seen rising through the water, when the lake is calm, a rod or two from the 
shore. In the town of Sheridan, six and a half miles from Fredonia, the same gas is also 
abundantly evolved in various places ; and a short distance below Pordand harbor, near 
the shore of the lake, there is supposed to be a sufficient supply to light a city. It is em- 
ployed in the lighthouse at the harbor, 75 feet above the level of the lake." 

Dunkirk, formerly owned by the Dunkirk Land Company, is 
pleasantly situated on Lake Erie, and is destined to be a place of 
great importance from its being the terminating point of the line of 
the New York and Erie railroad. The distance from Buffalo is 44 
miles, and to Piermont, on the Hudson, (about 22 miles N. of New 
York,) by the line of the railroad, 446 miles. This whole distance 
from Dunkirk to New York, on the completion of the road, will be 
accomplished in from 20 to 24 hours. The U. S. government, view- 
ing the growing importance of the place, has expended large sums in 
the improvement of its harbor. This port is occasionally open many 
days, and even weeks, earlier in the spring and later in the fall, than 



92 



CHATAUaUE COUNTY. 




Northeastern view of Dmikh'k Harbor. 

that of Buffalo. The above view was taken about a mile from the 
village, seen on the left. The large cupola is that of the hotel, a 
capacious brick structure ; the steeple next to it is that of the Presby- 
terian church, and the smaller one the Academy. The opposite shore 
of the harbor is seen beautifully curving around in the distance, and is 
lined to near the water's edge with a fine growth of forest trees. 
Van Buren is the name of a place laid out as a city 2 miles above Dun- 
kirk, where there is a good harbor. Shumla and West Milford are 
small villages. Cassadaga is a post-office. 

Portland, taken from Chatauque in 1813 ; distant from Albany 
354, and from Mayville, N., 6 miles. Salem and Centreville are small 
settlements. Pop. 2,136. About half the town is under improve- 
ment. 

Ripley, taken from Portland in 1817, on the "dividing ridge," has 
a hilly surface. Distant from Albany 348, and from Mayville, W., 
12 miles. Pop. 2,197. Quincy, formerly called Ripley, contains the 
post-office and about 50 dwelhngs. 

Sheridan, taken from Pomfret and Hanover in 1827; 340 miles 
from Albany, and 20 N. E. of Mayville. East Sheridan and Orring- 
ton are post-offices. Pop. 1,883. 

Sherman, taken from Mina in 1822 ; from Albany 348, from May- 
ville, S. W., 12 miles. Sherman is a small village. Pop. 1,100. 
More than two thirds of the town is yet a forest. 

Stockton, formed from Chatauque in 1821 ; distant from Albany 
323, from Mayville, N. E., 8 miles. Delanti and Casadaga are small 
villages. Pop. 2,078. 

Villenova, taken from Hanover in 1823 ; distant from Albany 
318, from Mayville, N. E., 22 miles. Omar is a small village. Pop. 
1,655. About one fourth part of the town is under cultivation. 

Westfield, formed from Portland and Ripley in 1829. Pop. 
3,199. Near the shore of Lake Erie, about three quarters of a mile 
below Portland harbor, is a carburetted hydrogen spring, the gas 
of which is sufficiently abundant to light a city, and is used for the 
lighthouse at the harbor, seventy-five feet above the lake level. Mcln- 



CHATAUUUK COUNTY. 



93 



tyre's sulphur spring, on the banks of the Chatauque creek, 3 miles 
from the lake, was formerly much frequented. 

Westfield village, from Albany 342, from Mayville, N. W., 6, 
and from Buffalo, S. W., 60'miles; was incorporated in 1833. It is 
a pleasant, bustling little village, situated on the border of a handsome 




View in central part of Westfield Village. 

plain, and containing about 100 dwellings. The above view was 
taken at Edson & Son's store, and shows oh the left the Episcopal, 
and on the right the Presbyterian churches. The other public build- 
ings are the Methodist church. Academy, and Westfield Hotel, a sub- 
stantial brick edifice, with a cupola. About two and a half miles 
from the village, near the road to Mayville, is a remarkable gulf, 
known as the " Hogs Back," which is much resorted to in the sum- 
mer. The first settler with a family in the county, was a Mr. John 
McMahan, from Northumberland county, Penn. He came here about 
the year 1803, and bought of the Holland Land Company a tract 
six miles square, on the Chatauque creek, in this town. Portland, or 
Barcelona, one mile from Westfield, on the lake, was early occupied 
by the French, who had a military post at this place. The lighthouse, 
40 feet in height, standing on a bluflf, is a conspicuous object, and vis- 
ible at a great distance on the lake. The village contains about 40 
dwellings. Rogersville, Volusia, and Nettle Hill are post-offices. 



94 CHEMUNG COUNTY. 



CHEMUNG COUNTY. 

Chemung* county was formed from the western part of Tioga in 
1836, Greatest length, N. and S., 28 ; greatest breadth, E. and W., 
20 miles. The surface of the county is hilly. The soil consists gen- 
erally of sandy and gravelly loam, interspersed with patches of marl 
and clay. The uplands are commonly better adapted to grass than 
grain ; but the valleys give fine crops of wheat and corn ; oats, 
beans, barley, peas, and hops thrive almost everywhere. The pine 
plains, principally in the towns of Elmira and Big Flats, formerly 
considered almost worthless, are now deemed highly valuable ; pro- 
ducing by treatment with plaster, and due succession of crops, abun- 
dant returns in wheat, Indian corn, and clover. The Chemung canal, 
connecting Elmira with Cayuga lake, is about 20 miles in length. 
The New York and Erie railroad passes through the towns of Che- 
mung, Southport, Elmira, and Big Flats. Chemung county is divided 
into ten towns. Pop. 20,731. 

Big Flats, taken from Elmira in 1822 ; from Albany 207, from 
Elmira centrally distant, NW., 10 miles. The navigable feeder of 
the Chemung canal passes centrally through the town in an easterly 
direction. There are extensive flats on the Chemung river. Pop. 
1,375. 

Catherines was taken from Newtown in 1798 ; from Albany 184 
miles. Havanna, founded in 1829 by Mr. David Ayres, and incor- 
porated in 1836, 18 miles N. from Elmira, is a very thriving village, 
containing about 700 inhabitants. It is situated upon a small stream 
rushing over a high hill from the west, with three cascades, making 
together a fall of over 100 feet. 

This town appears to have derived its name from its having been 
the residence of Catherine Montour, the wife of an Indian sachem or 
king. She has sometimes been called Queen Esther. This remark- 
able woman, it is said, was a native of Canada, a half-breed, her 
father being one of the French governors, probably Count Frontenac. 
During the wars between the Six Nations and the French and Hu- 
rons, Catherine was taken prisoner, when she was about ten years 
old, and carried into the Seneca country, and adopted as one of theii 
children. At a suitable age she was married to a distinguished chief 
of her tribe, by whom she had several children. Her husband was 
killed in battle about 1730. She is represented as having been a 
handsome woman when young, genteel, and of good address. She 
frequently accompanied the chiefs of the Six Nations to Philadelphia, 
and other places where treaties were holden. On account of her 
character and manners, she was much caressed by the American la- 
dies of the first respectability, and invited and entertained at their 
houses. Her residence was at the head of Seneca lake. She has 

* Chemung is said to be big horn, or great horn, in the ancient Indian dialect. And 
that a very large horn was found in the Chemung or Tioga river, has been well ascertained. 



CHEMUNG COUNTY. OS 

been accused of perpetrating some savage atrocities at the massacre 
at Wyoming, but the account does not appear to be well authenti- 
cated. At the period of the revolutionary war, Catherine's town con- 
sisted of thirty houses, cornfields, orchards, &c. ; these were all de- 
stroyed by Gen. Sullivan, Sept. 3, 1779, in his expedition into the In- 
dian country. 

Catlin, taken from Catherine in 1823; from Albany 190, from 
Elmira, N W., 12 miles. A great portion of the town is yet unsettled. 
Catlin, West Catlin, and Martins Hill, are post-offices. Pop. 1,119. 

Cayuta, taken from Spencer in 1824 ; from Albany, SW., 188, 
from Elmira, NE., 20 miles. It is rather thinly settled. Cayuta, 
West Cayuta, and Van Eltensville, are post-offices. Pop. 835. The 
surface of the township is hilly and broken ; the hills are covered 
with pines and hemlocks. 

Cehmung, organized in 1791 ; from Albany, SW., 198, from El- 
mira, E., 12 miles. Surface is hilly, and broken with fertile flats 
along the Chemung river. Pop. 2,377. The Chemung upper and 
lower Narrows are formed by high, rocky cliffs, projecting into the 
river, along which the road is conducted with great labor. 

" In the south part of the town is a mound, called Spanish Hill, elevated 110 feet above 
the plain, and near the river bank, described as a work of art ; but this suggestion is ren- 
dered incredible from the fact, that the area of its summit comprises four acres. Upon this 
summit, however, are vestiges of fortifications, displaying much skill in the art of defence ; 
having regular entrenchments, which perfectly commanded the bend in the river. — Gordon's 
Gazeteer. 

Drx, taken from Catlin in 1835, is the NW. town of the county; 
from Elmira 20 miles. Pop. 1,990. Townsend, Moreland, and 
West Catlin are post-offices. Jefferson, post village, partly in Steuben 
county, at the head of Seneca lake, 3 miles N* of Havanna, was 
founded in 1828 by Dr. Watkins, and has about 50 dwellings. 

Elmira was taken from Chemung by the name of Newtown, in 
1792. Much of the land in this township is rich and productive, par- 
ticularly the flats on Chemung river. Pop. 4,791. Elmira village 
is situated at the confluence of Newtown creek with the Chemung 
river. It was formerly the half-shire village of Tioga county, and is 
now the seat of justice for Chemung co. It was incorporated in 
1815 by the name of Newtown, which name was changed to Elmira 
in 1828 : its ancient Indian name was Conewawah, a word signify- 
ing " a head on a pole" Elmira is admirably situated for the pur- 
poses of trade, in the midst of a fertile valley, eight to ten miles in 
extent from N. to S., and from twelve to fifteen miles E. and W. 
The place is connected with Pennsylvania and Maryland, in trade, 
by the Chemung and Susquehannah rivers, and with almost every 
portion of the state by means of the Chemung canal, which leads 
through Seneca lake, and thence by the Seneca to the Erie canal. 

The village contains about 230 dwellings, 4 churches — 1 Presbyte- 
rian, 1 Baptist, 1 Methodist, and 1 Episcopal — 2 newspaper establish- 
ments, 1 bank, and a number of select schools. The village is on 
the line of the Erie railroad. 



96 



CHEMUNG COUNTY. 




Distant view of the Village of Elmira. 

The above view w^as taken near the Sullivan mill,* about a mile 
eastward of the village, near the junction of Newtown creek with the 
Chemung river. The first spire on the right is that of the Presbyte- 
rian church, the next to the left the courthouse ; the others are those 
of the Episcopal and Baptist churches. The bridge seen extending 
across the Chemung is GOO feet in length. 

The section of country in which Elmira is situated became known 
to the whites during the revolutionary war. When Gen. Sullivan 
was penetrating into the Indian country, in 1779, the Indians under 
Brant, and the tories under Colonels Butler and Johnson, made a 
stand to oppose his progress at the SE. point of this town. They 
entrenched themselves by a breast-work of about a half a mile in 
length, so covered by a bend in the river as to expose only their 
front and one of their flanks to attack. On Sullivan's approach, Aug. 
29th, an action commenced which is sometimes called the " Battle of 
the Chemung ;" the force of the Indians and tories has been estimated 
from 800 to 1,500, while that of the Americans was between 4,000 
and 5,000. The following account of the battle is extracted from the 
2d vol. of " Stone's Life of Brant." 

" The enemy's position was discovered by Major Parr, commanding the advance guard, 
at about 11 o'clock in the morning of the 29th of August. General Hand immediately 
formed the light infantry in a wood, at the distance of about 400 yards from the breast- 
work, and waited until the main body of the army arrived on the ground. A skirmishing 
was, however, kept up by both sides — the Indians sallying out of their works by small par- 
ties, firing, and suddenly retreating — making the woods at the same time to resound M'ith 
their war-whoops, piercing the air from point to point as though the tangled forest were 
alive with their grim-visaged warriors. Correcdy judging that the hill upon his right was 
occupied by the savages. Gen. Sulhvan ordered Poor's brigade to wheel off, and endeavor 
to gain their left flank, and, if possible, to surround them, while the artillery and main body 

* So called from its being only a few rods above Sullivan's landing place, where he en- 
camped both on the advance of, and return from his expedition against the Indians. The 
site of the fortress which Sullivan built, can be distinctly seen from the south windows of 
this mill. 



CHEMUNG COUNTY. 



m 



of the Americans attacked them in front. The order was promptly executed ; but as Poor 
climbed the ascent, the battle became animated, and the possession of the hill was bravely 
contested. In front the enemy stood a hot cannonade for more than two hours. Both 
tories and Indians were entitled to the credit of fighting manfully. Every rock, and tree, 
and bush, shielded its man, from behind which the winged messengers of death were 
thickly sent, but with so little effect as to excite astonishment. The Indians yielded ground 
only inch by inch ; and in their retreat darted from tree to tree with the agility of the pan- 
ther, often contesting each new position to the point of the bayonet — a thing very unusual 
even with militiamen, and still more rare among the undisciplined warriors of the woods. 
Thayendanegea was the animating spirit of the savages. Always in the thickest of the fight, 
he used every effort to stimulate his warriors, in the hope of leading them to victory. Until 
the artillery began to play, the whoops and yells of the savages, mingled with the rattling of 
musketry, had well-nigh obtained the mastery of sound. But their whoops were measur- 
ably drowned by the thunder of the cannon. This cannonade ' was elegant,' to adopt the 
phraseology of Sullivan liimself, in writing to a friend, and gave the Indians a great panic. 
Still, the battle was contested in front for a length of time with undiminished spirit. But 
the severity of fighting was on the flank just described. As Poor gallantly approached the 
point which completely uncovered the enemy's rear, Brant, who had been the first to pene- 
trate the design of the American commander, attempted once more to rally his forces, and 
with the assistance of a battalion of the rangers, make a stand. But it was in vain, al- 
though he exerted himself to the utmost for that purpose — flying from point to point, seem- 
ing to be everywhere present, and using every means in his power to reanimate the flag, 
ging spirits, and reinvigorate the arms of his followers. Having ascended the steep, and 
gained his object without faltering, the enemy's flank was turned by Poor, and the fortunes 
of the day decided. Perceiving such to be the fact, and that there was danger of being 
surrounded, the retreat-halloo was raised, and the enemy, savages and white men, precipi- 
lately abandoned their works, crossed the river, and fled with the utmost precipitation — 
the Indians leaving their packs and a number of their tomahawks and scalping-knives 
behind them. The battle was long, and on the side of the enemy bloody. Eleven of their 
dead were found upon the field — an unusual circumstance with the Indians, who invariably 
exert themselves to the utmost to prevent the bodies of their slain from falling into the 
hands of their foes. But being pushed at the point of the bayonet, they had not time to 
bear them away. They were pursued two miles, their trail affording indubitable proof that 
a portion of their dead and wounded had been carried off. Two canoes were found cov- 
ered with blood, and the bodies of 14 Indian warriors were discovered partially buried 
among the leaves. Eight scalps were taken by the Americans during the chase. Consid- 
ering the duration of the battle, and the obstinacy with which it was maintained, the loss 
of the Americans was small almost to a miracle. Only 5 or 6 men were killed, and be- 
tween 40 and 50 wounded. Among the American officers wounded, were Maj. Titcomb, 
Capt. Clayes, and Lieut. CoUis — the latter mortally. All the houses of the contiguous 
Indian town were burnt, and the cornfields destroyed." • 

The first settler of Newtown, now Elmira, was Col. John Hendy, 
a native of Pennsylvania and a veteran of the revolution. In the 
summer of 1788, he came into this town and erected a log hut on the 
point where Sullivan had encamped, about half a mile from the pre- 
sent centre of the village of Elmira. He brought his family to this 
place in the fall of the same year. It was during this year that this 
section of the country was surveyed by Gen. James Clinton, Gen. 
John Hathorn, and John Cantine, Esq., as commissioners on the part 
of the state. The land at this time was estimated and sold by the 
state at eighteen pence per acre to the first settlers. The second log 
house was built by John Miller near the bank of the river on the farm 
now occupied by Capt. Partridge. The same year, and the year fol- 
lowing, (1789,) several families came in and settled on the south side 
of the river, in Southport. In the same year, Thomas Hendy and a 
Mr. Marks built log houses at the east end of the site of the village. 
When Col. Hendy built his log cabin on the pine plain of Conewawah, 
the only highway or road existing in the country for hundreds of 

13 



98 CHEMUNG COUNTY. 

miles round, was what was called the Indian pathway, extending 
from Wilkesbarre, Penn., to Canada. This pathway crossed the lot 
of Col. Hendy, and was for a long period the only avenue by which 
emigrants from the south reached Niagara and the northwestern part 
of the state. 

The following anecdote relative to Col. Hendy, is taken from a pub- 
lication, in a pamphlet form, entitled " Views of Elmira," by Solomon 
Southwick, Esq. It is from this publication that the historic notices 
of this place are mostly taken. 

" They [the Indians] knew nothing of ceremony, and never waited for an invitation to visit 
the cabins of the white settlers ; but would stalk in and sit themselves down as freely as 
they had been used to do in their own huts ; nor were they less scrupulous in their attacks 
upon whatever food or beverage presented itself. If any of the whites disliked this freedom, 
they found it their best policy to bear patiently with the oft-repeated demands upon their 
hospitahty which flowed from it ; but in spite of their philosophy were sometimes involved 
in serious strife with their lawless visiters. One evening of a summer's day, Col. Hendy, 
having returned from the labors of the field, found two Indians at his house, one of whom 
was John Harris, celebrated for his quarrelsome and malignant temper, as well as vigorous 
and athletic frame. He had insulted Mrs. Hendy, and evinced such bad intentions, that 
his companiun, aided by Col. Hendy's son, had found it necessary to bind him down in a 
chair, which operation they had just performed when Col. Hendy came in. Whilst the 
friendly Indian laid down and went quietly to sleep, the Colonel seated himself to watch 
the motions of the unruly savage. The fellow was so mortified by the compulsion and re- 
straint imposed upon him, that he became apparently humble, and the Colonel, on his 
promise to behave well, unbound him, and ordered him to lay down on the floor and go to 
sleep, whilst he threw himself on the bed, but did not think it safe to undress or sleep ; and 
the event proved the necessity and prudence of his precaution. For the savage, ruminating 
on the disgraceful circumstance of his having been bound, till his revengeful temper was 
roused to a high degree, rose up suddenly crying out " Me be many," a well known excla- 
mation of the Indians when prepared to commence a fight single-handed with one of their 
own, or that of the white race. This was a critical moment for Hendy, who quickly per. 
ceived there was no time to be lost ; he therefore rose up, exclaiming " You be many — 
You none at all — / be many .'" and as the Indian sprang forward to grapple with him, 
brandishing a long knife, the veteran gave him a blow on the side of his head which laid 
him prostrate on the hearth ; and then seizing him by the hair, beat his head upon the 
hearth, till the savage yielded up his knife, well convinced by the Colonel's demonstrations, 
that if he was many, his host was many more, or at least too many for him — and the next 
morning he was as quiet and peaceable as a lamb." 

" In 1790, we believe it was, Elmira was visited by some ten or twelve hundred Indians ; 
one of the oldest settlers assures us there were not less than eleven hundred. Their object 
was the negotiation of a treaty with the United States. On our part the venerable Timo. 
THY Pickering was the principal negotiator. Guy Maxwell acted as his secretary, and 
transcribed the treaty. On the part of the Indians there were chiefs of all the Six Nations, 
among whom were Red Jacket, Big Tree, Trench Peter, Farmer's Brother, «fec. Jasper 
Parish, of Canandaigua, was their interpreter. It was on this occasion that Red Jacket 
made one of his most eloquent and powerful speeches. One of the chiefs, and several of 
the subordinates, died during the negotiation ; and their bones, it is said, have been re- 
cently found in digging the cellars for the elegant row of buildings, called Benjamhi's Block, 
on Front-street. The treaty was held immediately east of the present courthouse in Lake- 
street, under an ancient oak-tree, which thenceforth, if not before, was known by the 
name of the council tree." 

In 1792, Nathaniel Seely built the first frame house in the village 
of Newtown, now Elmira. The original patentee of the towns of 
Southport and Newtown was Moses De Witt ; he sold out to a Mr. 
White. In 1794, Guy Maxwell and Samuel Hepburn purchased 
the village plot of Elmira from Mr. White. In 1797, Elmira re- 
ceived a visit from Louis Phillipe, the present king of France, the 
Duke de Nemours, and the Duke de Berri. These distinguished per- 



CHENANGO COUNTY. 99 

sonages had been spending some time at Canandaigua, under the 
hospitable roof of Thomas Morris, Esq., son of Robert Morris, to 
whom tiie United States are so much indebted for his services as a 
financier in the revolution. Mr. Morris gave the royal exiles a letter 
of introduction to Henry Tower, Esq., who then resided here. They 
travelled on foot through the Indian pathway from Canandaigua to 
Elmira, a distance of more than 70 miles. Mr. Tower, on their 
arrival, fitted up a boat — an American ark or batteau — in which he 
took them down to Harrisburg, through the Chemung and Susque- 
hannah rivers. 

Erin, taken from Chemung in 1822; from Albany 186, from El- 
mira, NE., 12 miles. Erin is a post-office, centrally located. Pop. 
1,441. The surface of the town is hilly and broken and the soil 
rather of an indifferent quality. 

SouTHPORT, taken from Elmira in 1822; from Albany 203 miles. 
It has broad and rich flats upon the Chemung river, which forms in 
part the northern boundary. Wellsburg on the Chemung river, 6 
miles SE. from Elmira, is a small post village. Southport and Seeleys 
Creek are post-offices. Pop. 2,100. 

Veteran, taken from Catherines in 1823; from Albany 190, from 
Elmira, N., centrally distant 12 miles. Pop. 2,279. Millport, Pine 
Valley, and Veteran are post-offices. 



CHENANGO COUNTY. 

Chenango county was formed from Herkimer and Tioga counties 
in 1798 ; the northern part of which was erected into Madison county 
in 1806. Its form is irregular; the greatest length N. and S., 35 
miles ; greatest width, 28. The general surface of the county is 
broken and hilly, though not mountainous. Its valleys are extensive, 
rich, and fertile, producing large crops of grain ; while the uplands 
are well adapted to grazing. Its agriculture is respectable, and its 
inhabitants are generally farmers. Live-stock is one of their prin- 
cipal exports. The Susquehannah river crosses the SE. corner of the 
county. The Chenango river, one of its principal branches, flows 
southerly through the centre of the county. The Unadilla river 
forms most of the eastern bounds of the county. The numerous 
streams in this county furnish abundance of fine mill sites. The 
Chenango canal passes through the county in the valley of the Che- 
nango river. This county was principally settled by emigrants from 
the eastern states. It originally included the twenty townships of 
the " Governor's purchase," a part of which are now in Madison 
county. The county is divided into 19 towns. Pop. 40,779. 

Bainbridge, organized as part of Tioga county, by the name of 
Jericho, in 1791 ; name since altered and limits much reduced. Pop. 



100 CHENANGO COUNTY. 

3,324. The town forms part of a tract given by the state to suffer- 
ers in former grants to the present state of Vermont. 

Bainbridge, incorporated in 1829 ; a large and thriving village, 
pleasantly situated upon the W. branch of the Susquehannah, upon the 
Ulster and Delaware turnpike; 110 miles from Albany, and 14 S. 
from Norwich ; has about 90 dwellings. E, Bainbridge, N. Bain- 
bridge, and S. Bainbridge are names of post-offices. 

Columbus, taken from Brookfield in 1805 ; from Albany 83, from 
Norwich, NE., 16 miles. Columbus is a small village, and Columbus 
Corners a post-office. Pop. 1,561. 

Coventry, taken from Greene in 1806; from Albany 117, from 
Norwich 16 miles. Coventry and Coventryville are post villages, 
on the Cattskill turnpike. Pop. 1,681. 

German, taken from De Ruyter in 1806 ; from Albany 115, from 
Norwich, W., 15 miles. Pop. 975. 

Greene was formed from Union and Jericho in 1798 ; limits since 
reduced. The Chenango river passes in a SW. direction through 
the town, upon which are rich alluvial flats. Pop. 3,452. Greene, 
the principal village, is on the river, 20 miles SW. Irom Norwich, and 
19 N. from Binghamton. It contains 3 churches, 11 stores, and 
about 90 dwellings. It was laid out in village form in 1806, and 
was at first called Hornby. East Green and Genegansette are post- 
offices. 

The first person who settled in the vicinity of the village of Greene, 
is supposed to have been Conrad Sharp, a Dutchman, who located 
himself about two miles above the village in 1794 ; a number of 
other Dutchmen came in and formed quite a settlement in his vicinity. 
The names of some of the other principal settlers were, Stephen 
Ketchum, David Bradley, Derick Race, Joseph Tillotson, Mr. Gray, 
a Baptist elder, and Elisha Smith, who was the agent, for a number 
of years, in behalf of the Hornby Patent ; he surveyed the town of 
Greene and laid out the village. 

The first white inhabitants who located themselves on the site of 
the village, were eight or ten French families, who fled from their 
country during the revolutionary period. The first one who came 
appears to have been Simon Barnet, who is said to have been a 
Creole from the West Indies. He came to this place from Philadel- 
phia, probably sent as a pioneer for the French company. One of 
the emigrants, M. Dutremont, was a man of considerable talents, 
learning, and wealth. This gentleman contracted for the lands settled 
by the company. The purchase was made of William W. Morris 
and Malachi Treat, the patentees. Capt. Juliand, one of the French 
emigrants, came into the place in 1797, a httle after the first company. 
About the year 1795, the celebrated French statesman, Talleyrand, 
visited this place, when on a sylvan jaunt on horseback from Phila- 
delphia to Albany in company with a French gentleman. When here, 
he became acquainted with the son of M. Dutremont, with whom he 
was so much pleased, that he obtained the consent of his parents to 
take him to France, where he became his private secretary. By the 



CHENANGO COUNTY. 101 

death of M. Dutremont, the financial affairs of the little colony be- 
came deranged. He was drowned while fording a river on horse- 
back, on his way to Philadelphia. As he had not paid for the land 
occupied by the emigrants, it reverted back to the patentees. The 
emigrants became discouraged, and after a few years left the place, 
moved down below Towanda, and joined a French settlement at a 
place called Frenchtown, now Asylum. Capt. Juliand, however, re- 
mained in Greene, and to him and Judge Elisha Smith the founda- 
tion of the village is to be ascribed. 

" There were no Indians in this particular section, when first settled by the whites. But 
we have to record a most remarkable mound, the relic of Indian superstition and industry. 
There are now to be seen only some imperfect traces of it. It was situated about two 
miles south of the village, and about thirty rods from the river bank, on what is now the 
farm of Mr. Lott. The mound, before it was dug down or ploughed over, was about six or 
seven feet above the surface of the ground, and forty feet in diameter ; being nearly cir- 
cular. There was also, till within a few years, a large pine stump in the centre of it, the 
remams of a large pine-tree which was standing when the whites came in. It was then, 
however, a dead tree. When it was cut down, there were counted 180 concentric circles 
or yearly growths. Estimating the age of the mound by the concentric circles of the 
stump, it must have been over 200 years old when this section of the country was settled. 
An examination of this mound was made in 1829, by digging, and there were found hu. 
man bones to a great number ; and lower from the surface, there were found bones that 
had been evidently burnt ; suggesting the idea, that the mode of disposing of the dead, 
when these bones were deposited, was burning the dead body. No conjecture could be 
formed as to the number of bodies buried here. They were found lying without order, 
very much jumbled, and so far decayed as to crumble, or fall apart, when brought to the 
air and handled. The supposition would not be an unlikely one, that these bones were the 
remains of bodies which had fallen in battle, and were afterward hurriedly thrown together 
and buried. * * * * In the mound near Greene, there were found, lying quite in one pile, 
200 arrow heads, cut after their usual form, and all either of yellow or black flint. It will be 
recollected thai there are no stones of this kind found in this part of tiie state of New 
York. In another part of the mound there were found, lying together, about sixty, made 
after the same form. A silver band or ring was also found, of about two inches in di. 
ameter, extremely thin, but wide, with the remains — in appearance — of a reed pipe, lying 
within it. The supposition is, that it was some sort of musical instrument. There was 
also found a number of stone chisels, of different shapes, evidently fitted to perform differ- 
ent species of work. A large piece of mica also, cut into the form of a heart ; the border 
much decayed, and the different laminae separated." — Annals of Binghamton. 

Guilford, taken from Oxford in 1813, by the name of Eastern; 
name since changed ; from Norwich, centrally distant S., 10 miles. 
Pop. 2,828. Guilford is a small post village, Rockdale a post-office, 
and Mount Upton a small settlement. 

LiNCKLAEN, taken from German in 1823; since reduced in area; 
from Albany 128, from Norwich, NW., 20 miles. Lincklaen and 
West Lincklaen are post-offices. Pop. 1,249. 

McDoNouGH, named in honor of Commodore McDonough, taken" 
from Preston in 1816; from Albany 128, from Norwich, W., 14 
miles. Pop. 1,369. Near the south line of the town is a sulphur 
spring much frequented. McDonough is a small village. 

New Berlin, taken from Norwich in 1807. Pop. 3,086. New 
Berlin, an incorporated village, 13 miles NE. from Norwich, and 
90 W. from Albany, on the Unadilla river, has 1 Presbyterian, 1 
Episcopal, 1 Baptist, and 1 Methodist church. There are here 154 
dwellings, 10 mercantile stores, a weekly newspaper office, and sev- 



102 



CHENANGO COl.'NTY. 



eral large manufacturing establishments. South New Berlin, 9 miles 
east from Norwich, has about 40 dwellings. New Berlin Centre is a 
small village. 

Norwich, formed from Jericho and Union, as part of Tioga county, 
in 1793; area since much reduced. Pop. 4,146. Norwich village, 
the county seat, is delightfully situated upon the Chenango river. Its 
site is much admired by travellers. It is surrounded by lands in a 




Courthouse and other huildinss in Norwich. 



high state of cultivation, and well supplied with pure and wholesome 
water. There is a mineral spring near the village resorted to for 
cutaneous diseases. The above view shows the courthouse in the 
centre of the engraving ; the building with a spire on the left, is 
the Presbyterian church. The courthouse has been but recently 
erected. It is built of freestone, and is one of the most splendid 
structures of the kind in the state. Besides the above, there are in 
the village 1 Episcopal, 1 Baptist, and 1 Methodist church, 2 weekly 
newspaper offices, the Chenango Bank, several manufactories, and 
about 200 dwellings. 

Otselic, taken from German in 1817; distant from Albany 110, 
from Norwich, NW., 20 miles. Otselic is a small village, and South 
Otselic a post-office. Pop. 1,621. 

Oxford.* " The present town of Oxford was originally a part of the 
township of Fayette, a tract which was laid out soon after the war 
of the revolution, and sold at auction in New York, in lots of a mile 
square. This township, and a tract called the Gore, bought by Gen. 
Hovey and Judge Melancton Smith, containing about 7,000 acres, 
"Were incorporated into a town in 1793, and in 1794 the first town 
meeting was held at the house of Gen. Hovey ; this building stood 
on the site of the Fort Hill house, (burnt in 1839.) Previous to 1791, 

* Communicated to the authors by Henry M. Hyde, Esq. 



•CHENANGO COUNTY. 103 

there were no settlers on the western part of Fayette except two, 
Mr. Elijah Blackman, and a man named Phelps. They lived on lot 
92, in the bounds of the present village. 

" From the time the settlement was commenced, by the exertions of 
Gen. Hovey, whose enterprise and hardihood sm-mounted every ob- 
stacle, the population rapidly increased. The pioneers who com- 
posed the settlement, were distinguished for qualifications rarely pos- 
sessed by men in their laborious occupations. Their intelligence was 
proverbial. In fact, many of them were persons of considerable sci- 
entific attainments. They obtained an act of incorporation for an 
academy as early as 1794, and sustained the institution in the most 
creditable manner, under all difficulty. Gen. Hovey, whose name 
seems to be connected with nearly all the occurrences in the early 
days of the town, was a man of uncommon business abilities, and 
was a favorite of the distinguished men who were at that time at the 
head of affairs in this state. He was a member of assembly in 
1798, and was also a judge of the county. He afterward removed 
to the Ohio, and at the time of Burr's expedition down the Mississippi, 
he was the general agent of a company, composed of some of the 
first men of the Union, for the purpose of canalling the Ohio at the 
falls opposite Louisville. The project failed, and Gen. Hovey was a 
severe sufferer in consequence. He died about 1815. 

" Nearly all the settlers were natives of New England, and a ma- 
jority were from the state of Connecticut. There are at present 
living many of the hardy pioneers who commenced the settlement. 
Of these, Mr. Francis Balcom, Mr. Jonathan Baldwin, Judge Anson 
Gary, Col. Samuel Balcom, James Padgett, and some few others, are 
now residing in this town. Judge Uri Tracy, who was some years 
since a member of congress from this district, and who died three or 
four years since, was likewise an early resident, and principal of the 
academy." 

" The Indian antiquities in and about the village of Oxford are worthy of notice. Of 
these, the Old Fort has always attracted the most attention. This fort stood upon the hill 
in about the middle of the village, and the ditch is yet to be distinguished, in front of the 
house of Ira Wilcox, Esq. When discovered, it was a regular semicircle from the river, 
and enclosed about three quarters of an acre, and the ditch, when the ground was cleared, 
was in many places four feet deep. The interior of the fort was covered with the largest 
kind of maple and beach trees, and on the top of the bank hove up, stood a dead pine 
stump, which, when cut, left a stump on which was counted two hundred grains or circles. 
This tree evidently sprang up after the ditch was dug. There were upon the north and 
south sides of the fort, two places where the ground had evidently never been disturbed. 
These are supposed to have been gates. The ditch was four or five feet wide, and on the 
river side, the bank having been almost perpendicular. The fort must have been a strong 
position. Nothing short of cannon from the neighboring hills could annoy the fort. In 
the course of subsequent excavations in and about it, human bones, cooking utensils, 
and other reUcs, have been found. Of course, nothing is known about the object of this 
fortification, or by whom built. The Oneidas have a tradition running many generations 
back, but they can tell us nothing definite. The Oneidas leave us this tradition : that 
about a century or more since, a gigantic chief occupied it, who destroyed all their 
hunters who came into this quarter. They called this chief Thick Neck. The Onei- 
das made several attempts to decoy him from his stronghold, but without success. 
They at length managed to go between him and the fort, when he ran down the river 
about six miles and secreted himself in the marsh around the pond called Wam's Pond. 
Here he was discovered and killed by the Oneidas, who buried him and scratched the leaves 



104 



CHENANGO COUNTY. 



over his grave that no vestige of him should remain. The remnant of his tribe were 
adopted by the Oneidas, and an Indian who was hung at Morrisville many years since 
named Abram Antone, was a descendant from Thick Neck, 

" There is an incident connected with a small island a few rods above the bridge over the 
Chenango. Some years ago, two worthies residing in the town, having quarrelled about 
some trifling matter, resolved to exchange shots, in vindication of their honor. The place 
selected for the transaction was this island. On the day appointed, the belligerents made 
their appearance on the spot. The seconds, however, were agreed that neither should 
suffer harm, and loaded the pistols with cork instead of ball. Each second inspired his 
principal with courage, by imparting to him the information that his antagonist's pistol was 
loaded with cork, at the same time assuring him that his own contained the lead. The 
consequence was, the duellists manifested great bravery — no one was hurt, and the actors 
were highly complimented for their chivalry, and unhesitatingly pronounced men of honor. 
The island has since been called Cork Island." 




Central part of the Village of Oxford. 

The above view was taken on the banks of the Chenango canal, 
and shows the principal public buildings in the village. The church 
on the left is the Presbyterian, the smaller building with a cupola in 
the centre is the Academy, and the two spires seen on the right are 
those of the Episcopal and Baptist churches, which latter structures 
stand near the site of the old fort. There is also a Methodist church 
in the village, 2 weekly newspaper offices, and about 170 dwellings. 
There are several bridges over the Chenango river, and the Appian 
way, from Newburg, terminates here. The village is 8 miles south 
of Norwich. There is a post-office at South Oxford. Population of 
the town, 3,177. 

Pharsalia, first settled in 1798, and taken from Norwich in 1806, 
by the name of Stonington ; name afterward changed ; distant from 
Albany 114, from Norwich, NE., 11 miles. Pop. 1,213. PharsaUa is 
a small post village, and East Pharsalia a post-office. 

Pitcher, formed from German and Lincklacn in 1827 ; from Al- 
bany 127, from Norwich, W., 17 miles. Pitcher is a small post 
village. Pop. 1,561. 

Plymouth, taken from Norwich in 1806 ; from Albany 107, from 



CLINTON COUNTS. 105 

Norwich, NW., 7 miles. Frankville, formerly known by the name 
of the French settlement, has 30 or 40 dwellings. Pop. 1,625. 

Preston, taken from Norwich in 1806; from Albany 115, from 
Norwich, centrally distant W., 7 miles. Pop, 1,117. The Chenango 
river and canal pass through the SE. section of the town. Mason 
and Palmer's Corners are small villages. 

Sherburne, taken from Genoa in 1806 ; from Albany 96, from Nor- 
wich, N., 11 miles. Pop. 2,791. The flats on the Chenango river, 
which flows through this town, are remarkably fertile. The portion 
of the town called " the Quarter," was early settled by 20 families 
from Connecticut, who bought one quarter of the township. They 
formed themselves into a religious society of the Presbyterian denom- 
ination before emigrating. They arrived on a Thursday, and by the 
succeeding Sabbath had erected a log meeting-house, in which they 
assembled for public worship ; and not a single Sunday has since 
passed without divine service being performed. Sherburne, post vil- 
lage, has about 100 dwellings. 

Smithville, taken from Greene in 1806 ; from Albany 131, from 
Norwich, SW., 20 miles. Pop. 1,762. Smithville is a viUage of 
about 40 or 50 dwellings. 

Smyrna was taken from Sherburne in 1808. Pop. 2,240. The 
first settler was Joseph Porter, who emigrated here in 1792. The 
first post-office was established in 1808. The village of Smyrna was 
incorporated in 1834; it is 101 miles from Albany and 11 NW. of 
Norwich, and contains about 60 dwellings. 



CLINTON COUNTY. 

Clinton county lies on the western shore of Lake Champlain, at 
the northeastern extremity of the state, about 170 miles N. from Al- 
bany. Soon after the conquest of Canada, in 1759, the shores of Lake 
Champlain were visited by speculators in quest of pine and oak tim- 
ber, but no permanent settlements were made until about the close of 
the revolution. Its greatest length N. and S. is 40i miles, greatest 
breadth 37 miles. The northern boundary being latitude 45°, indi- 
cates the rigors of a cold northern country. The natural advantages 
enjoyed by this county have been undervalued. Along the whole 
eastern border, adjoining the shore of Lake Champlain, a wide tract 
of land extends, moderately uneven or quite level, with a pretty 
strong inclination or depression eastward, averaging 8 miles in width 
of no inferior quality. It amply repays the labor of the husbandman. 
The western part is mountainous, but these mountains are covered 
with timber, and the county with rapid streams and mill sites, and 
abounds with the richest and best of iron ores, already extensively 
manufactured. The soil is of various qualities. On the broad belt 

14 



106 CLINTON COUNTY. 

of comparatively level land above noticed, it is principally a clayey 
with some tracts of a sandy loam. The streams supply a profusion 
of good natural sites for all sorts of hydraulic work. With these 
advantages, this county looks forward with confidence to increased 
sources of business and profit. About one fifth part is settled. Pop. 
28,180. The county is divided into 10 towns. 

Au Sable, taken from Peru in 1839; distant 155 miles N. from 
Albany, centrally distant from Plattsburg 15 miles. Pop. 3,229. 
The village of Clintonville on the Au Sable river, partly in Clinton 
and partly in Essex counties, was incorporated in 1825. It contains 
2 churches, 1 Presbyterian and 1 Methodist, 8 mercantile stores, 
upwards of 80 dwellings, and 730 inhabitants. It is 6 miles W. of 
Keesville, 17 from Elizabeth, and 18 from Plattsburg. The exten- 
sive works of the " Peru Iron Company" are located in this village. 
They have a forge of 18 fires, an extensive rolling-mill, a nail and a 
cable factory, furnace, &c. All these works were 'commenced 
when the place was comparatively new, by I. Aiken, Esq., but little 
was done till the organization of the company by the legislature about 
the year 1825. 

Beekman, taken from Plattsburg in 1820 ; distant from Albany 
167, NW. from Plattsburg, 18 miles. The township is 6 miles in 
width, and stretches across the country 37 miles ; the eastern part 
of the town is level or undulating, the western mountainous. Pop. 
2,763. 

Black Brook, taken from Peru in 1839; from Albany 163, from 
Plattsburg, SW., 25 miles. Black Brook and Union Falls are small 
villages. Pop. 1,054. 

Champlain, organized in 1788; from Albany, N., 185 miles. 
Champlain village, on the left bank of the Chazy, 5 miles from Lake 
Champlain, has about 40 dwellings. Rouses Point, 23 miles N. from 
Plattsburg, Corbeau, and Perrysville, are small villages. Pop. 2,950. 

Chazy, taken from Champlain in 1804. Pop. 3,592. Chazy, 15 
miles N. of Plattsburg on the state road from Albany to Canada, and 
West Chazy, are small villages. Chazy Landing, on Lake Champlain, 
is 3 miles from Chazy village. 

Ellenburg, taken from Mooers in 1830 ; from Plattsburg, NW., 
25 miles. Pop. 1,164. 

MooERs, named in honor of Gen. B. Mooers, was taken from 
Champlain in 1804 ; from Plattsburg, NNW., 18 miles. Pop. 1,701. 
Mooers is a small post village on the Chazy river. 

Peru, taken from Plattsburg and Willsburg in 1792 ; bounds since 
altered. Pop. 3,183. Peru, post village, 10 miles S. of Plattsburg 
and 4 from Lake Champlain, has 1 Presbyterian, 1 Methodist, and 1 
Catholic church, 70 dwellings, and 360 inhabitants. Unionville 
and Port Jackson are post-offices. The first settler in Peru village 
was John Cochran, who came here in 1794. Rev. Hernan Garlick 
was one of the first ministers who preached in this section. It is 
said that he used to cross the lake, in a boat, and walk 30 miles to 
preach to a congregation. 



CLINTON COUNTY. 107 

The following is an account of the conflagration of the steamer 
PhcEnix, which took place near here, on Lake Champlain, September 
5, 1819. 

The steamboat left Burlington for Plattsburg about midnight, and had proceeded by one 
o'clock in the morning as far as Providence island, when the alarm was given. The boat 
at this time was temporarily commanded by a son of the captain, Richard M. Sherman, a 
young man of twenty-two. " Amid the confusion, danger, and difficulties attendant on this 
terrible disaster, he displayed an energy and presence of mind, not only worthy of the 
highest praise, but which we might seek for in vain, even among those of riper years. To 
quahties like these, rightly directed as they were, was it owing that not a person was lost 
on that fearful night. In that burning vessel, at the dead of night, and three miles from 
the nearest land, was the safety of every one cared for, and ultimately secured, by the 
promptness, energy, and decision of this young commander." 

Shortly after the fire was discovered, it raged with irresistible violence. " The passen- 
gers, roused by the alarm from their slumbers, and waking to a terrible sense of impending 
destruction, rushed in crowds upon the deck, and attempted to seize the small-boats. 
Here, however, they were met by young Sherman, who, having abandoned all hope of 
saving his boat, now thought only of saving his passengers, and stood by the gangway with 
a pistol in each hand, determined to prevent any person from jumping into the boats be- 
fore they were properly lowered into the water, and prepared to receive their living freight. 
With the utmost coolness and presence of mind he superintended the necessary prepara- 
tions, and, in a few minutes, the boats were lowered away, and the passengers received 
safely on board. They then shoved off, and pulled through the darkness for the distant 
shore. As soon as this was reached, and the passengers landed, the boats returned to the 
steamboat and took off the crew, and, as the captain supposed, every living soul except 
himself. But, shortly after the boats had left the second time, he discovered, under a set- 
tee, the chambermaid of the Phcenix, who, in her fright and confusion, had lost all con- 
sciousness. Lashing her to the plank which he had prepared for his own escape, this gal. 
lant captain launched her towards the shore ; and was thus left alone with his vessel, now^ 
one burning pile. Having satisfied himself that no living thing remained on board his boat, 
and with the proud consciousness that he had saved every life intrusted to his care, he 
sprung from the burning wreck as it was about to sink beneath the waters, and, by the 
means of a settee, reached the shore in safety. — This is no exaggerated story. It is the 
simple narrative of one of the most heroic acts on record. We have only to add, that the 
captain who so faithfully and fearlessly discharged his duty on this trying occasion, is still 
(1840) in command of a noble boat on Lake Champlain, and is known to every traveller 
as Captain Sherman, of the steamboat Burlington." 

The following description of this terrific scene was written by one of the passengers :— 
•' I awoke at the time" of the alarm, but whether aroused by the cry of fire, the noise of feet 
tramphng on deck, or by that restlessness common to persons who sleep in a strange place, 
with a mind filled with sorrow and anxiety, I am unable to tell. I thought I heard a faint 
cry of fire, and, after a short interval, it seemed to be renewed. But it came so weakly 
upon my ear, and seemed to be flung by so careless a voice, that I concluded it was an 
unmeaning sound uttered by some of the sailors in their sports on deck. Soon, however, a 
hasty footstep was heard passing through the cabin, but without a word being uttered. As 
I approached the top of the cabin stairs, an uncommon brilliancy at once dispelled all 
doubts. Instantly the flames and sparks began to meet my eyes, and the thought struck 
me that no other way of escape was left but to plunge half naked through the blaze into the 
water. One or two more steps assured me that this dreadful alternative was not yet ar. 
rived : I hastily stepped aft, — a lurid light illuminated every object beyond with the splen- 
dor of a noon-day sun ; I fancied it was the torch of death, to point me and my fellow- 
travellers to the tomb. I saw no person on deck ; but, on casting my eyes towards the boat 
which was still hanging on the larboard quarter, I perceived that she was filled, and that 
her stern-sheets were occupied with ladies. I flew to the gangway, and assisted in lower, 
ing the boat into the water. I then descended the steps, with an intention of entering the 
boat ; but perceiving that she was loaded deep, and that there was a strong breeze and a 
high sea, I desisted. The painter was soon cut, and the boat dropped astern. I ascended 
the steps with the design of submitting myself to the water upon a plank ; for I had great 
confidence in my skill in swimming, and I acted under an impression that the shore was 
only a few rods, certainly not half a mile distant. Judge of what would have been my as. 
tonishment, and probably also my fate, had I done as I contemplated ; when the fact was, 
that the steamboat at this period was in the broadest part of Lake Champlain, and at least 



108 



CLINTON COUNTY. 



three miles from any land. I had left the deck about two hours before, and this change 
had occurred in the mean time. I looked round upon the deck to find a suitable board, or 
something of sufficient buoyancy, that I could trust to amid such waves as I saw were run- 
ning. There was nothing large enough to deserve such confidence ; I looked aft over the 
taffrail, every thing there looked gloomy and forbidding ; I cast my eyes forward, the wind 
was directly ahead, and the flames were forced, in the most terrific manner, towards the 
stern, threatening every thing in its range with instant destruction. I then thought if I 
could pass the middle of the boat, which seemed also to be the centre of the fire, I might 
find security in standing to windward on the bowsprit. I made the attempt. It was vain. 
The flames were an insurmountable barrier. I was obliged to return towards the stern. 
There was then no one in sight. I stepped over upon the starboard side of the quarter. 
deck. I thought all was gone with me. At that moment I saw a lady come up to the 
cabin door ; she leaned against the side of it, and looked with a steadfast gaze and dis. 
tracted air towards the flames ; she turned and disappeared in the cabin. It was Mrs. Wil- 
son, the poor unfortunate lady who, afterward, with the captain's assistance, as he informed 
me, committed herself, with many piercing shrieks and agonizing exclamations, to the 
treacherous support of a small bench, on the troublous bosom of the lake. I then looked 
over the starboard quarter to know whether the other boat was indeed gone. I had the 
happiness to see her; she seemed to be full, or nearly so; one or two passengers were 
standing on the lower steps of the accommodation ladder, apparently with the design of 
entering the boat when she came within reach. I was determined to enter her at all risks, 
and insTantly leaped over the quarter and descended into her. I found her knocking under 
the counter, and in danger of foundering. The steam-vessel stiU continued to advance 
through the water : the waves dashed the boat with considerable violence against her, and 
most of those who had sought safety in the boat, being unacquainted with water scenes, 
were much alarmed, and by their ill-directed eflbrts were adding to the risk. Under these 
circumstances it became necessary to cut the fust, which was done, and the boat, and those 
that were in it, were instantly secure. All these incidents occurred in a shorter time than 
I have consumed in writing them. From the moment of my hearing the first alarm to that 
of leaving the steamboat, was not, I am satisfied, near ten minutes ; I believe it was not five." 




View of Plattsburg. 



Plattsburg, organized in 1785. Pop. 6,397. Plattsburg, an incor- 
porated village and county seat, is distant from New York 319, from 
Albany 164, from Whitehall 112, and from Ogdensburg, E., 120 miles. 
The accompanying view was taken on the eastern bank of the Sa- 
ranac, about 30 rods above the bridge. The first steeple on the left 
is that of the Presbyterian church, the second the Methodist, the third 
the courthouse, the fourth the Episcopal, and the fifth the Catholic. 



CL[NTON COUNTY. 109 

Besides the above-mentioned public buildings, there is an academy, 
the Clinton county bank, and about 300 buildmgs. 

A settlement was commenced in this village " previous to the revo- 
lution, by a Count Vredenburg, a German nobleman, who, marrying 
a lady of the household of the queen of England, obtained a warrant 
for 30,000 acres of land, which he located on Cumberland bay, 
whither he removed, although he did not perfect his title by patent. He 
built a large house on the spot now occupied by the United States 
Hotel in Plattsburg, where he resided, as tradition reports, in extraor- 
dinary luxury, having his floors covered with carpets, and his win- 
dows shaded with damask curtains. When the revolutionary strug- 
gle commenced, he sent his family to Montreal, but remained some 
time after their departure, and then suddenly and mysteriously disap- 
peared : his house, and a saw-mill he had built 3 miles above, on the 
Saranac, ' at Vredenburg's Falls,' being at the same time burned. He 
was generally supposed to have been robbed and murdered by some 
one covetous of the money and plate which he displayed. 

" In July, of 1783, after the preliminaries of peace had been settled, 
Lieut, (since Maj. Gen.) Benjamin Mooers, adjutant of Hazen's regi- 
ment of Canadian and Nova Scotia refugees stationed at Newburg, 
on the Hudson, with 2 other otficers and 8 men, left Fishkill Landing 
in a boat, and by way of the Hudson, the portage from Fort Edward 
to Lake George, and by that lake and Champlain, reached Point au 
Roche, 9 miles N. of Plattsburg, where he and his companions, on 
the 10th August, commenced the first permanent settlement of the 
county. 

" A company, consisting of Judge Zephaniah Piatt and others, form- 
ed soon after the war for the purchase of military warrants, located 
their warrants on Lake Champlain. In August, 1784, the judge. 
Capt. Nathaniel Piatt, and Capt. Reeve, personally surveyed the 
Plattsburg patent on Cumberland bay, and laid off", among others, 10 
lots of 100 acres each, to be given to the first 10 settlers who came 
on with families. Another tract of 100 acres was allotted as a dona- 
tion to the first male child born on the patent. Messrs. Jacob Ferris, 
John Burke, Derrick Webb, Jabez Pettit, and Cyrenus Newcomb, 
were the first settlers on the 'gift lots,' and Piatt Newcomb, Esq., 
was the fortunate first born male, but not the first child born on the 
patent ; Mrs. Henry Ostrander having previously given birth to a 
daughter, who intermarried with a Mr. Wilson, of Chateaugua, of 
Frankhn county. From this period the settlement of the county 
steadily progressed. 

" The first court was holden at Plattsburg on the 28th day of Oct., 
1788, of which the following persons were officers: Charles Piatt, 
judge; Peter Saily, Wm. McAuley, and Pliney Moore, assistant jus- 
tices ; Theodorus Piatt, justice; Benjamin Mooers, sheriff; John 
Fautfreyde, coroner ; Robert Paul, John Stevenson, Lott Elmore, 
Lewis Lezotte, and Jonathan Lynde, constables. Grand jury, Cle- 
ment Goslin, Allen Smith, Abner Pomeroy, Jonas Allen, Joseph 
Shelden, Peter Payn, Moses Soper, Edward Everett, Elnathan Rog- 



110 CLfNTON COUNTY, 

ers, John HofFnagle, Cyrenus Newcomb, Melchor Hoftnagle, Stephen 
Cuyler, Jacob Ferris, John Ransom, and John Cochran." — GordorCs 
Gaz. 

Plattsburg is rendered memorable as the place of the victory of 
Com. McDonough and Gen. Macomb, over the British naval and 
land forces, in Sept, 1814. The following account of the military 
movements on the land are copied from the statements given by Maj. 
A. C. Flagg and Gen. St. J. B. L. Skinner, who both were actors in 
the scenes described. 

" ' On the 31st Aug., (says Maj. Flagg,) the advance of the British armyunder Gen. Brisbane 
entered Champlain, and encamped on the north side of the great Chazy river, and on the same 
day Maj. Gen. Mooers ordered out the militia of the counties of Clinton and Essex,' en masse. 
' The regiment from Clinton co., under Lieut. Col. Miller, immediately assembled, and on the 
2d Sept. took a position on the west road near the village of Chazy ; and on the 3d, Gen. 
Wright, with such of his brigade as had arrived, occupied a position on the same road, about 
8 miles in advance of this place. On the 4th, the enemy having brought up his main body 
to Champlain, took up his line of march for Plattsburg. The rifle corps, under Lieut. Col. 
Appling on the lake road, fell back as far as Dead creek, blocking up the road in such a 
manner as to impede the advance of the enemy as much as possible. The enemy advanced 
on the 5th, within a few miles of Col. Appling's position, and finding it too strong to attack, 
halted, and caused a road to be made west into the Beekmantown road, in which the light 
brigade under Gen. Powers advanced ; and on the morning of the 6th, about 7 o'clock, 
attacked the militia, which had at this time increased to nearly 700, under Gen. Mooers ; 
and a small detachment of regulars under Maj. Wool, about 7 miles from this place. After 
the first fire, a considerable part of the militia broke and fled in every direction. Many, 
however, manfully stood their ground, and with the small corps of Maj. Wool, bravely con- 
tested the ground against five times their number, falling back gradually, and occupying 
the fences on each side of the road, till they arrived within a mile of the town, when they 
were reinforced by two pieces of artillery under Capt. Leonard ; and our troops occupying 
a strong position behind a stone wall, for some time stopped the progress of the enemy.' 

" At this point, one of the finest specimens of discipline ever exhibited, was shown by the 
British troops on the occasion of the opening Capt. Leonard's battery upon them. The 
company to which I was attached, formed a part of the left flank of our little army, and 
was on the rise of ground west of the road leading from Mr. Halsey's corner to Isaac C. 
Piatt's, and about midway between the artillery and the head of the British column ; and 
the whole scene was open to our view. Here, (at Halsey's corner,) was a battery of two 
field-pieces, so perfectly masked by a party of the infantry, that the enemy probably was 
not aware of it, until it opened upon him. There a dense column of men, with a front 
equal to the width of the road, and extending nearly half a mile in length, pressing on with 
a buoyancy and determination of spirit, betokening an expectation that they would be per- 
mitted to walk into our works without much opposition. How sad the disappointment to 
the victorious veterans of so many bloody fields of Europe ! So perfect was the motion of 
the troops in marching, that they seemed a great mass of living matter moved by some 
invisible machinery. Yet I can now almost fancy we could hear them cracking their 
jokes, and each claiming for himself the honor of being the first to make a lodgment in 
the Yankee forts ; when suddenly, with the noise of thunder, the sound of a cannon came 
booming through the air. It sent forth a round shot which took effect near the centre of 
the front platoon, about breast high, and ploughed its way through, sweeping all before it, 
the whole length of the column ; opening a space apparently several feet wide, which, 
however, was immediately closed, as if by magic ; and on the column pressed as if nothing 
had happened. A second shot was fired with the like effect, and similar consequences ; 
but when the third discharge came, with a shower of grape shot, there was a momentary 
confusion. Immediately, however, the charge was sounded by some dozen British bugles ; 
which through the clear and bland atmosphere of a bright September morning, was the 
most thrilling and spirit-stirring sound that could greet a soldier's ears. In an instant of 
time, the men forming the advance of the column had thrown their knapsacks on either 
side the road, and bringing their pieces to the charge, advanced in double quick time upon 
our miniature battery. 

" ' Our troops being at length compelled to retire, contested every inch of ground, until 
they reached the south bank of the Saranac, where the enemy attempted to pursue them, 
but was lepulsed with loss. The loss of the British in this skirmish, was Col. Wellington, 



CLINTON COUNTY. Ill 

and a Lieut, of the 3d Buffs, and two Lieuts. of the 58th, killed ; and one Capt. and one 
Lieut, of the 58th light company wounded, together with about 100 privates killed and 
wounded, while that on our part did not exceed 25. The corps of riflemen under Col. 
Appling, and detachment under Capt. Sproul, fell back from their position at Dead creek 
in time to join the militia and regulars just before they entered the village, and fought with 
their accustomed bravery. The British got possession of that part of the village north of 
the Saranac about 11 o'clock, but the incessant and well-directed fire of our artillery and 
musketry from the forts and opposite banks, compelled them to retire before night beyond 
the reach of our guns.' The bridge in the village was defended during this day by Capt. 
Martin I. Aikin's company* of volunteers, who were stationed in the saw-mill on the south 
bank of the river for that purpose. The enemy arrived towards night with his heavy artil- 
lery and baggage on the lake road, and crossed the beach, where he met with a warm re- 
ception from our row-galleys ; and it is beheved, suffered a heavy loss in killed and wound- 
ed. On our side, Lieut. Duncan of the navy lost an arm by a rocket, and 3 or 4 men were 
killed by the enemy's artillery. The enemy encamped on the ridge west of the town, his 
right near the river, and occupying an extent of nearly 3 miles, his left resting on the lake 
about a mile north of the village. From the 6th until the morning of the 11th, an almost 
continual skirmishing was kept up between the enemy's pickets and our militia and volun- 
teers stationed on the river, and in the mean time both armies were busily engaged — ours 
in strengthening the works of the forts, and that of the enemy in erecting batteries, collect- 
ing ladders, bringing up his heavy ordnance, and making other preparations for attacking 
the forts. On the morning of the 7th, a body of the enemy under Capt. Noadie, attempted 
to cross at the upper bridge about 7 miles west of the village, but were met by Capt. 
Vaughn's company o*" about 25 men, and compelled to retire with the loss of two killed, and 
several wounded. On the morning of the 11th, the enemy's fleet came round the Head 
with a tight breeze from the north, and attacked ours which lay at anchor in Cumberland 
bay, two miles from shore east of the fort. 

" ' The enemy commenced a simultaneous bombardment of our works from 7 batteries, 
from which several hundred shells and rockets were discharged, which did us very little 
injury ; and our artillery had nearly succeeded in silencing them all before the contest on 
the lake was decided. 

" ' The enemy attempted at the same time to throw his main body in the rear of the fort, 
by crossing the river 3 miles west of the town, near the site of Pike's cantonment. He 
succeeded in crossing, after a brave resistance by the Essex militia and a few of the Ver- 
mont volunteers, in all about 350, stationed at that place, who retired back a mile and a 
half from the river, continually pouring in upon them an incessant fire from behind every 
tree, until Lieut. Sumpter brought up a piece of artillery to their support, when the enemy 
commenced a precipitate retreat. 

" ' The Vermont volunteers, who had hastened to the scene of action on the first alarm, 
fell upon the enemy's left flank, and succeeded in making many prisoners, including 3 ofiicers. 

" ' Had the British remained on the south side of the river 30 minutes longer, he must 
have lost nearly the whole detachment that crossed. Our loss in this affair was five killed 
and eight or ten wounded, some mortally. 

" ' Immediately on ascertaining the loss of the fleet. Sir George Prevost ordered prepara- 
tions to be made for the retreat of the army, and set off himself, with a small escort, for 
Canada, a little after noon. The main body of the enemy, with the artillery and baggage, 
were taken off in the afternoon, and the rear guard, consisting of the light brigade, started at 
daybreak and made a precipitate retreat ; leaving their wounded and a large quantity of pro- 
visions, fixed ammunition, shot, shells, and other public stores, in the different places of 
deposit about their camp. They were pursued some distance by our troops, and many 
prisoners taken ; but owing to the very heavy and incessant rain, we were compelled to 
return. The enemy lost upon land more than 1,000 men, in killed, wounded, prisoners, 
and deserters, while our aggregate loss did not exceed 150.' " 

The following account of the naval action is from " Perkins' His- 
tory of the late War." 

" The American fleet, under Commodore McDonough, lay at anchor in the bay, on the 
right flank of the American fines, and two miles distant. Great exerdons had been made 

* "This company was composed of young men and boys of the village, most of whom were not subject to 
military duly, who volunteered after the militia had gone out on the Chazy road, offered their services to 
Gen. Macomb, who accepted their offer, aimed the company with rifles, and ordered the?ii to repair to the 
head-quarters of Gen. Mooers, and report for duty." Three only, it is said, of the members of this corps 
were over 18 years of age. 



112 CLINTON COUNTY. 

by both parties to produce a superior naval force on this lake ; the Americans at Otter 
creek, and the British at the Isle aux Noix. On comparing their relative strength on the 
11th of September, the American fleet consisted of the Saratoga, flag-ship, mounting 26 
guns; Eagle, 20 guns; Ticonderoga, 17 guns; Preble, 7 guns; 6 galleys, of 2 guns each, 
12 guns ; four, of one, 4 guns ; making in the whole, 86 guns ; and 820 men. The British 
fleet consisted of the frigate Confiance, flag-ship, mounting 39 guns; Linnet, 16 guns; 
Cherub, 11 guns; Finch, 11 guns; five galleys, of 2 guns each, 10 guns; eight, of one, 8 
guns ; making in the whole 95 guns, and 1,020 men. 

" The British land forces employed themselves from the 7th to the 11th, in bringing up 
their heavy artillery, and strengthening their works on the north bank of the Saranac. 
Their fortified encampment was on a ridge a little to the west of the town, their right near 
the river, and their left resting on the lake, 1 mile in the rear of the village. Having deter- 
mined on a simultaneous attack by land and water, they lay in this position on the morning 
of the 11th, waiting the approach of their fleet. At 8 o'clock, the wished-for ships appear, 
ed under easy sail, moving round Cumberland head ; and were hailed with joyous acclama- 
tions. At 9, they anchored within 300 yards of the American squadron in line of battle ; 
the Confiance opposed to the Saratoga, the Linnet to the Eagle ; 13 British galleys to the 
Ticonderoga, Preble, and a division of the American galleys. The Cherub assisting the 
Confiance and Linnet, and the Finch aiding the galleys. In this position, the weather 
being perfectly clear and calm, and the bay smooth, the whole force on both sides became 
at once engaged.* At an hour and a half after the commencement of the action, the star- 
board guns of the Saratoga were nearly all dismantled. The commandant ordered a stern 
anchor to be dropped, and the bower cable cut, by means of which the ship rounded to, 
and presented a fresh broadside to her enemy. The Confiance attempted the same ope- 
ration and failed. This was attended with such powerful effects, that she was obliged to 
surrender in a few minutes. The whole broadside of the Saratoga was then brought to 
bear on the Linnet, and in 15 minutes she followed the example of her flag-ship. One of 
the British sloops struck to the Eagle ; 3 galleys were sunk, an# the rest made off; no ship 
in the fleet being in a condition to follow them, they escaped down the lake. There was 
no mast standing in either squadron, at the close of the action, to which a sail could be 
attached. The Saratoga received 55 round shot in her hull, and the Confiance 105. The 
action lasted without any cessation, on a smooth sea, at close quarters, 2 hours and 20 
minutes. In the American squadron 52 were killed, and 58 wounded. In the British, 84 
were killed, and 110 wounded. Among the slain was the British commandant. Com. 
Downie. This engagement was in full view of both armies, and of numerous spectators 
collected on the heights, bordering on the bay, to witness the scene. It was viewed by the 
inhabitants with trembling anxiety, as success on the part of the British would have opened 
to them an easy passage into the heart of the country, and exposed a numerous population 
on the borders of the lake to British ravages. When the flag of the Confiance was struck, 
the shores resounded with the acclamations of the American troops and citizens. The 
British, when they saw their fleet completely conquered, were dispirited and confounded." 

" A short distance from the village, are the ruins of the cantonment and breastworks 
occupied by Gen. Macomb and his troops. A mile north, is shown the house held by Gen. 
Prevost, as his head-quarters, during the siege ; between which and the village the marks 
of cannon-shot on the trees and other objects are still visible. Further onward about 5 
miles, on a hill overlooking the village of Beekmantown, is the spot where a sanguinary 
engagement took place between the American and Biitish troops, which resulted in the 
death of the British Col. Wellington and several men of both armies." — GordoiCs Gaz. 

The following inscriptions were copied from monuments in the 
graveyard in Plattsburg. 

" In memory of Gex. Benjamin Mooers, who died Feb. 20, 1838. He served as lieu- 
tenant and adjutant during the revolutionary war. He commanded the militia at the battle 

* "1 will mention one circumstance for the purpose of showing the frame of mind in wliich the brave 
McDonongh entered the battle, and in whom he put his trust for success. After the enemy's fleet hove in 
sight, the men of his ship were assembled on the quarter-deck, when lie kneeled down, and in humble, and 
fervent prayer, roinnnnded himself, his men, and the cause in which they were engaged, to the God of Bat- 
tles, and arose from that posture, with a calmness and serenity depicted on his brow, which showed he had 
received coiiilon iiiid assurance from above. One other little incident, and 1 will proceed with my subject. 
During the Imltcsl pari iif the battle, the hen-coop was shot away, when a cock escaped and flew up into the 
rigging, tiappi'd his wings, and crowed most mant'ully ! The sailors considered this as a sure omen of success, 
and, cheering from one end of the ship to the other, went to their work of dealing death to tlie enemy with 
redoubled exertion. The cock remained in the rigging during the whole of the engagement, ever and anon 
clieering the men on to a greater exertion by his clear shrill voice." — Qcn. Skinner's account of the Battle of 
PlaUaburg. 



COLUMBIA COUNTY. 



113 



of Plattsburef, Sept. 11th, 1814. He was the first settler in this county who remained here 
through hfe. He was the first sheriff of the county, and for 30 years county treasurer. He 
repeatedly represented this section of country in the assembly and senate of the state, and 
discharged the important duties which devolved upon him as a citizen, a soldier, and a 
Christian, with fidelity to his country, and integrity to his God." 




Grave of Commodore Downie at Plattshurg. 

" Sacred to the memory of George Downie, Esq., a post.captain in the British navy, 
who gloriously fell on board his B. M. S. Confiance, while leading the vessels under his 
command to the attack of the American Flotilla, at anchor in Cumberland Bay, off Platts- 
burg, on the 11th of Sept., 1814." 

" To mark the spot where the remains of a gallant officer and sincere friend were honor, 
ably interred, this stone has been erected by his affectionate sister-in-law, Mary Downie." 

Saranac, taken from Plattsburg in 1834 ; from Albany, N., 145 
miles. Pop. 1,464. Redford, 21 miles southwesterly from Platts- 
burg, has about 60 dwellings. Here are the extensive works of the 
Redford Crown Glass Company. Bakersville is a small village 
about 5 miles NE. from Redford. 



COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

Columbia county, taken from Albany in 1786: its greatest length 
on the E. line 36, medium breadth 18 miles. Centrally distant N. 
from New York 125, from Albany, SE., 34 miles. The surface of 
the county is considerably diversified, though no part can be called 
mountainous. Ranges of small hillocks are interspersed with exten- 
sive plains or valleys, and much of rich alluvion. There are some 
excellent lands, and much of the larger portion may be, by judicious 
culture, rendered highly productive. Nature, in the abundant beds 
of lime, has furnished the means, as if by a special providence, of 
tempering the cold and ungrateful constituents of the clay ; and in 
many places the lime in the form of marl does not require burning to 

15 



114 COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

become a stimulant. Scarce any portion of the state is better adapted 
to the raising of sheep, and the profits from this source, ah'eady great, 
are yearly increasing. This county is famed for the quantity and 
quality of its Indian corn Lead and iron ore are found in this county. 
It is divided into 19 towns. Pop. 44,237. 

Ancram, originally named Gallatin, and taken from Livingston in 
1803 ; from Albany, S., 51, centrally distant S. E. from Hudson 21 
miles. Pop. 1,769. The Ancram Iron Works operate quite exten- 
sively in castings and bar iron from the celebrated ore of Salisbury, in 
Connecticut. Ancram is a small village near the W. line of the town. 

AusTERLiTZ, taken from Hillsdale, Canaan, and Chatham, in 1818 ; 
surface hilly and mountainous. Pop. 2,090. Spencertown, 15 miles 
NE. of Hudson, and Green River, are small villages. 

Canaan, organized in 1788 ; bounds since altered. Canaan Cor- 
ners 24, Canaan 18 miles NE. from Hudson, and Red Rock are 
small settlements. The surface of the town is mountainous, with 
some fertile valleys. Pop. 1,957. 

Chatham, taken from Canaan and Kinderhook in 1795. Pop. 
3,650. Chatham Four Corners, on the Albany and Hartford and the 
Hudson and New Lebanon roads, is a small settlement, 20 miles SE. 
of Albany and 14 NE. from Hudson. Chatham, North Chatham, 
New Cont-oic. and are post-offices. 

Claverack, organized in 1788. Pop. 3,053. This name is derived 
from Klauver-rack literally Clover-reach; so called in its early settle- 
ment from the immense fields of clover which abounded here. Cla- 
verack post village, 4 miles E. of Hudson, was the seat of justice for 
the county, from 1787 to 1806, when it was removed to Hudson. It 
is a beautiful village, and contains about 60 dwellings. Churchtown, 
Smoky Hollow, and Centreville are small villages. This country was 
settled at a very early period by the Dutch. The following extracts 
from ancient newspapers, show that difficulties between the land- 
lords and tenants are not confined to our time. 

To the printer of the New York Gazette, dated May 20th, 1766. 
Sir, — For many months past we have heard a great deal of the uneasiness and riotous 
behavior of the tenants upon several of the large manors of this government. And as 
these disorders have risen to a very great and dangerous height, and the causes of them 
variously spoken of, and not well understood, (some imputing the fault to the landlords, 
and others the tenants,) it is surprising that more care has not been taken to set the whole 
affair in a clearer light ; which, besides that it might tend to an amicable settlement of the 
difference, would dispose the public to join in discountenancing the blameable party, and 
obtain redress for the injured. On the one hand, it seems strange that the landlords should 
draw upon themselves so much trouble and vexation, so much ill-will and opposition from 
their tenants, unless the matters they insist on are just and reasonable, and of very great 
importance. On the other hand, it seems equally strange that the tenants should take such 
desperale steps, and hazard the ruin of their famihes, the loss of property, and even life 
itself, unless their grievances are of the most insupportable kind, and such as it is worse 
than death to bear. If these matters were explained by an impartial narrative, it would, I 
believe, do service to the parties and oblige the puWic, &lc. A. B. 

Extracts from letters from Claverack, near Albany, dated June 27th, 1766. 
" For some months a mob has frequently assembled and ranged the eastern part of the 
manor of Rensselaer. Last wet^k they appeared at Mr. Livingston's with some proposals 
to liiin ; but he being from homo, they returned to Mr. Rensselaer's son's, about two miles 






COLUMBIA COUNTY. 115 

from Claverack, where, not finding him at home, they used some insulting words, and left 
a message for Mr. Rensselaer, that if he did not meet them next day at their rendezvous, they 
would come to him. On the 26th, the sheritf of Albany, with 150 men under his com- 
mand, went to disperse the rioters, who were assembled it is supposed to the number of 60 
in a house on the manor. On the sheriffs advancing to the house they fired upon him, 
and shot off his hat and wig, but he escaped unhurt — many shots were exchanged on both 
sides. Of the militia, iVIr. Cornelius Tenbrook, of Claverack, was killed, and seven 
wounded. Of the rioters, three were killed (two of whom were the ringleaders) and many 
wounded, among whom was Capt. Noble (one of the chief instigators) in the back. The 
rioters retreated to Capt. Noble's house, where they formed a breastwork, and did not quit 
the house till the sheriff's party left the place. He afterward went to Poughkeepsie to get 
assistance from the regulars to disperse the whole ; but the regulars were gone to Pender- 
graft's house, on Philip's Patent, in Dutchess county. 

" We hear from Fredericksburg, in Dutchess county, that on Saturday last, as a party of 
regulars stationed there, under the command of Major Brown, were crossing a bridge, they 
were met by about 30 of the rioters, who were going to join Pendergraft, their chiefs 
party — a skirmish ensued, whereon two of the regulars were wounded, and it is supposed a 
much greater number of the rioters, who generally dismounted and fled to the cornfields 
and bushes, leaving some of their horses and guns, which were taken, and one prisoner. 
Several more were taken that night. The next evening they sent a flag of truce with 50 
followers, who were all lodged in the meeting-house, and the next day several more parties 
came in. Pendergraft's wife was gone to persuade her husband to accept of the governor's 
mercy, as were many more wives of the rioters. We hear of no lives lost. It was reported 
that 300 of the rioters lodged at Quaker Hill, intending to attack the regulars on the 13th 
ult." [How many uneasy moments must such of these sensible regulars feel, who are pur- 
suaded that they are employed to support In Equity ?] 

From the New York Gazette, dated November 10th, 1768. 
" On Saturday last, the great cause between the Crown and Mr. John Van Rensselaer 
was ended. It was tried by a struck jury, and came on before the Hon. Justice Jones, on 
Tuesday the 25th of October, and continued (with evening adjournments by the consent 
of parties) until the 5th inst. The suit was for intrusion upon the crown lands, to try the 
limits of that part of the old Rensselaerwick manor and estate called Claverack. It was pro. 
moted by certain reduced officers upon a supposition that there was a great unpatented 
vacancy between the manor of Rensselaerwick and Livingston, and the patents of Kinder- 
hook and Westenhook, and carried on at the expense of the crown. There never was a 
trial in this colony so solemn, important, and lengthy. The counsel spent about eleven 
hours in summing up the evidence : Mr. Attorney General, Mr. Mayor, Mr. Duane, and 
Mr. Kissam, were of the counsel for the crown ; and Mr. Smith, jr., Mr. Scott, and Mr 
Thomas Smith conducted the defence. The judge was clear in his charge upon the 
construction of the old patent in the Rensselaer family, and the jury in two hours agreed 

on their verdict for the defendant This estate was attached upon the same princi- 

pies, by certain petitioners a few years ago ; but their petitions were dismissed by the gov- 
ernor and council, in the administration of Gen. Monckton, on the 20ih October, 1762." 

Clermont, organized in 1788; from Albany, S., 43 miles. Pop. 
1,231. Clermont, 12 miles S. of Hudson, is a small post village. It 
was the ancient seat of the Livingston family, and the residence of 
Chancellor Livingston, the -well-knov^fn patron of Fulton, who named 
his first American steamboat the " Clermont." The following biogra- 
phical sketch is extracted from the Encyclopedia Americana. 

"Robert R. Livingston, an eminent American pohtician, was born in the city of New 
York, November 27th, 1746. He was educated at King's College, and graduated 
in 1765. He studied and practised law in that city with great success. Near 
the commencement of the American revolution he lost the office of recorder, on ac- 
count of his attachment to liberty, and was elected to the first general congress of the 
colonies ; was one of the committee appointed to prepare the Declaration of Independence ; 
in 1780, was appointed secretary of foreign affairs; and throughout the war of the revolu. 
tion, signahzed himself by his zeal and efficiency in the revolutionary cause. At the adop- 
tion of the constitution of New York, he was appointed chancellor, which oflice he held 
until he went, in 1801, to France, as minister plenipotentiary, appointed by President Jef. 
ferson. He was received by Napoleon Bonaparte, then first consul, with marked respect and 



116 COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

cordiality, and during a residence of several years in the French capital, the chancellor ap- 
peared to be the favorite foreign envoy. He conducted, with the aid of Mr. Monroe, the nego- 
tiation which ended in the cession of Louisiana to the United States, tooli leave of the first 
consul, (1804,) and made an extensive tour on tlie continent of Europe. On his return 
from Paris, Napoleon, then emperor, presented to him a splendid snuff-box, with a minia- 
ture likeness of himself, (Napoleon,) painted by the celebrated Isabcy. It was ia Paris that 
he formed a friendship and close personal intimacy with Robert Fulton, whom he materially 
assisted with counsel and money, to mature his plan of steam navigation. In 18U5, Mr. 
Livingston returned to the United States, and thenceforward employed himself in promoting 
the arts and agriculture. He introduced into the state of New York the use of gypsum, 
and the Merino race of sheep. He was president of the New York Academy of fine arts, 
of which he was a chief founder. He died March 2Gth, 1813, with the reputation of an 
able statesman, a learned lawyer, and a most useful citizen." 

CoPAKE, taken from Taghkanic in 1824; from Albany, S., 57 
miles ; from Hudson, SE., IG miles. The town is part of the Liv- 
ingston manor. Pop. 1,505. The eastern part of this township is 
mountainous ; on the western border is Copake lake, which covers 
about 600 acres, and embosoms an island of about 20 acres, which 
has been the residence of members of the Livingston family. 

Gallatin, taken from Ancram in 1830 ; from Hudson, SE., 15 
miles- Pop. 1,645. 

Germantown, organized in 1788; from Albany, S., 39, and from 
Hudson, S., 12 miles: commonly known by the name of the German or 
East Camp. Pop. 968. There are three landings on the Hudson, 
In June, 1710, seventy of the palatines sent out by Queen Anne set- 
tled on this spot, then part of Livingston manor. In 1725, pursuant 
to an arrangement between George I. and tlie proprietor, this tract 
was granted by letters patent to the persons belonging to East Camp, 
as the settlement was called, in trust to appropriate 40 acres for the 
use of a church and school, and to divide the rest equally among the 
inhabitants. The settlement first commenced by three small lodges, 
or dorfs, the German word for village, named respectively after the 
superintendent of each, as Weiser's Dorf, Kneiskerns Dorf, &c, 

Ghent, taken from Claverack, Kinderhook, and Chatham in 1818. 
Population 2,557. Ghent is a small village, 10 miles NE. of Hudson. 

Greenport, recently formed from Hudson. Pop. 1158. 

Hillsdale was organized in 1788; centrally distant 14 miles E. 
of Hudson. Pop. 3,470. Green river and Hillsdale are post-offices. 
Unhappy disputes relative to titles to land in this town, long agitated 
the inhabitants, and several lives were lost in the controversy before 
it was finally settled by arbitration. 

Hudson, the capital of Columbia county, is situated on the E. bank 
of Hudson river, 116 miles from New York, 29 from Albany, and 28 
from West Stockbridge, Mass. Lat. 42° 14' N., long. 14'" E. from 
New York. The city is finely situated on an elevation of about 
50 feet above the Hudson, the western part of which is a bold cliff 
or promontory projecting into the river, more than 60 feet high. 
The principal part of the city is built on a street one mile long, ex- 
tending in a straight line from the foot of Prospect Hill, to the prom- 
enade on the extremity of the cliff. Nearly all the streets intersect 
each other at right angles, except near the river, where they conform 



COLUMBIA COUNTY. 117 

to the shape of the ground. The promenade at the western extrem- 
ity, and fronting the principal street, commands a beautiful view of 
the river, the village of Athens opposite, the country beyond, and the 
towering Catskill mountains. The bay south of the city is locked in 
by a lofty eminence, anciently termed Rorabuck, now called Mount 
Merino, in consequence of there being a sheep farm established here 
some years since. The city contains 5 churches — 1 Presbyterian, 1 
Episcopal, 1 Baptist, 1 Methodist, and 1 Universalist. There is an 
academy, a number of classical schools, the Hudson Lunatic Asylum, 
a private hospital for the reception and cure of lunatics, 1 bank, and 
3 printing-offices. An elegant courthouse has been recently erected. 
Water is brought in subterranean pipes from the foot of Becraft's 
mountain for the use of the city. Pop. 5,071. 

Hudson was founded in 1783, by enterprising men of property 
from Rhode Island and Nantucket, of the names of Jenkins, Paddock, 
Barnard, Coffin, Thurston, G reeii e^ Minturn, Lawrence, and others, in 
all thirty persons. About twenty of this company, in the early part of 
1783, sailed up the Hudson to find some navigable situation on which 
to commence a new settlement. They selected and purchased the site 
on which the city now stands, which at that time was occupied as a 
farm, with a single store-house on the bank of the river. In the fall 
of this year, two families arrived and commenced a settlement. In the 
spring of 1784, the other proprietors arrived, bringing with them seve- 
ral vessels ; they were soon followed by other emigrants from the east- 
ward. Between the spring of 1784 and that of 1786, there were 150 
dwelling-houses erected, besides wharves, warehouses, shops, barns, 
&c., and several works connected with manufactures ; and the pop- 
ulation had increased to 1,500 persons. In 1795, Mr. Ashbel Stod- 
dard removed from Connecticut, established a printing-office, and 
issued a weekly paper, the " Hudson Gazette." 

Hudson was incorporated a city in 1785. At this period about 
twenty-five vessels were owned in the place, which were mostly era- 
ployed in the West India trade ; a few were engaged in the whale 
and seal fishery, which was carried on with considerable success, and 
Hudson rapidly increased in wealth and population. During the rev- 
olutionary struggle in France, and the long protracted war in Europe, 
such was the demand for neutral vessels, and such the high prices of 
freight, that the vessels owned here were engaged in the carrying 
trade. This trade was not long enjoyed, for British orders in council 
and French decrees swept many of them from their owners. Other 
losses followed by shipwreck, and the embargo, non-intercourse, and 
the war which succeeded, almost finished the prosperity of Hudson. 
The city was a port of entry till 1815. The immense losses at sea 
produced much embarrassment and many failures, and kept the place 
in a state of depression for a considerable period. From this de- 
pression it is gradually and steadily advancing. The Hudson and 
Berkshire railroad proceeds from this city, across the route of the 
New York and Albany railroad, 31 miles to the west line of Massa- 



118 



COLUMBIA COUNTY. 




chusetts at West Stockbridge, whence it is continued for two miles, 
till it unites with the great western railroad of that state. 

The following inscriptions are copied from 
monuments in the graveyard in this place : 

" To the memory of William Howard Allen, lieutenant in 
the U. S. Navy, who was killed in the act of boarding a piratical 
schooner on the coast of Cuba, near Matanzas, on the 9th of 
November, 1822, iE 32— William Howard Allen. His remains, 
first buried at Matanzas, were removed to this city by the U. 
S. government, and interred under the direction of the Com- 
mon Council of this city, beneath this marble erected to his 
honor by the citizens of his native place, 1833. William How- 
ard Allen was born in the city of Hudson, July 8, 1790 ; ap- 
pointed a midshipman in 1801, and a heutenant in J 811 ; took 
a conspicuous part in the engagement between the Argus and 
Pelican in 1813, and was killed while in the command of the 
U. S. schooner Alligator. 



" Pride of his country's banded chivalry. 
His fame their hope, his name their battle cry. 
He lived as mothers wish their sons to live, 
He died, as fathers wish their sons to die." 



Allen's Monument. 

" In memory of John Milton Mann, M. D., who was drowned crossing the Hud- 
son from this city to Athens, August 24, A. D. 1809, aged 43 years. This monument is 
erected as a token of their love by his bereaved wife and children. Doctor Mann was 
born in Attlebury, Massachussetts ; he was educated at Brown's University in Providence, 
Rhode Island ; and came to reside in Hudson, A. D. 1800. This city is indebted to him 
for the introduction of vaccine innoculation, though here as elsewhere, the philanthropic 
enterprise was obliged to contend against prejudice and misrepresentation. The Common 
Council of Hudson, of which body he was a member, voted that they would attend his fu- 
neral and wear crape on the left arm thirty days on account of their respect for his char- 
acter, and their regret for his loss. Here are laid the remains of one whom society re- 
spected and his kindred loved. He was a wise scholar, a skilful physician, a kind husband 
and father, and a sincere Christian. Deeply is he bewailed. Few men of his time pos- 
sessed a mind more happily turned to the acquisition of science, or exhibited more per- 
spicuously patience and vigor, than Doctor Mann. Alas I just as his faculties had become 
mature, and society had learned their value — just when in the prime of bodily and mental 
manhood, with his honors thickening upon him, death struck him down. But let not in- 
fidel grief regard his mind as having been cultivated or his knowledge accumulated in vain ; 
for so he was enabled to enter the future life with enlarged capacities of enjoyment, with 
more worthy views of his own nature and destiny, with a clearer apprehension of his 
heavenly Father's will, and with added incitement to constant obedience. We will not 
mourn, then, as they who have no hope." 

KiNDERHooK was Organized in 1788 ; the surface of the town is di- 
versified, soil gravelly clay of sandy loam, and generally well culti- 
vated. Pop. 3,512. This place was settled at an early period by 
some Dutch and Swedish families. Its name is of curious origin, and 
signifies children's corner, or point ; so called from the number of 
children belonging to a Swedish family that anciently lived on a point 
of land about half a mile above the present upper landing. Several 
of their descendants are now living of the fourth and fifth generation. 
Valatie is a large manufacturing village in this town, 14 miles N. of 
Hudson, at the junction of the Valatie and Kinderhook creeks. It 
contains 1 Presbyterian, 1 Methodist, and 1 Lutheran church, 8 mer- 



COLUMBIA COUNTY. 



119 



cantile stores, 300 dwellings, and 1,700 inhabitants. Kinderhook 
village on the old post-road to Albany, 12 N. of Hudson, 5 E. from 
the river, and 20 miles S. from Albany, is finely situated on a beauti- 
ful level plain. Many of the dwellings have spacious yards and 
gardens decorated with shrubbery ; and groves of trees interspersed 
here and there give this place a pleasing aspect. There are several 
churcnes, an academy in high repute, and about 90 dwellings. 




Birthplace of President Van Buren, Kinderhook. 

The above is a representation of the house in which Martin Van 
Buren, recently president of the United States, was born. It is situ- 
ated about 60 rods E. of the central part of the village, near the 
banks of the creek. It was at that time occupied by his father, Abra- 
ham Van Buren, as a tavern, and the town meetings of former 
days were held within its walls. Originally it had a gable roof with 
two attic windows, in Dutch style ; and the small building seen on 
the right stood in the rear and was used as a kitchen. On a beam in 
the cellar, cut rudely with a penknife, are the initials, M. V. B ; a 
memento of the president's youthful days. 

The following epitaph of president Van Buren's brother wascopied 
from a tablet in the new graveyard, about three fourths of a mile N. 
of the village. 

" In memory of Abraham A. Van Buren, who died at Hudson, Oct. 30th, 1836, in the 
49th year of his age. He had been for many years, and was at the time of his death, sur. 
rogate of the county of Columbia ; and by his talents and integrity, secured universal respect 
and esteem. Peace be to his ashes." 

Livingston was organized in 1788. Glenco, 9 miles SE. from 
Hudson, and Johnstown, are small villages. Pop. 2,534. 

" Livingston manor or lordship, originally contained that tract which now composes the 
towns of Livingston, Taghkanic, Copake, Ancram, Gallatin, Clermont, and Germantown 
It was granted by the English government, while America was a colony, to Robert Livings, 
ton, who had been some years settled in this country and who was a member of the Brit, 
ish king's council. This consisted of several distinct grants made in the years 1684, 1685, 
and 1686. In 1710, agreeable to an arrangement with Queen Anne, the proprietor con. 
veyed a tract containing 6,000 acres adjoining the Hudson from the SE. part of the manor, 
to a number of Palatines, who had served in her armies, and were now driven from Ger. 



120 



COMJAIIUA COUNTY. 



many by tlip. French army. Tliis tract constituted the, township of Germantovvn. In 1714 a 
new grant, or grant and confirmation, was made of the manor to the original proprietor, 
and erected into a lordship, with the usual privileges and royalties at that day annexed to 
liaronies. He was authori:ied to constitute a Court Baron, and appoint the officers thereof; 
and the manor tenants were entitled to elect a member to the legislative assembly for the 
manor, and without losing their votes in the county elections, which privilege they exer- 
cised until the revolution." 

New Lebanon was taken from Canaan in 1818. Lebanon Springs 
village is 25 miles from Albany, 32 NE. from Hudson. There are here 
about 35 dwellings, and several taverns for the accommodation of 
visiters at the spring. The spring is ten feet in diameter and four 
deep, and discharges water sufficient to turn several mills near its 
source. The water is tasteless, inodorous, and soft, and is deemed 
beneficial in internal obstructions, salt-rheum, and cutaneous affec- 
tions generally. The place is much resorted to for health and amuse- 
ment. The surrounding country is salubrious and picturesque. New 
Lebanon is a small settlement, one mile and a half SE. of the spring. 




Shaker Buildings in New Lebanon. 

New Lebanon, Shaker village, called by its inhabitants the village 
of the " Millennial Church,^' is two and a half miles S. of the spring, 
on the western side of the Taghkanic mountain, and contains about 
six hundred inhabitants. The annexed view shows one of their 
dwellings (containing a family of 150 persons,) and their meeting- 
house, which was erected in 1823. This place of worship is some- 
what singular in its construction. It is eighty feet long by sixty-five 
wide, all in one room, without beams or pillars, having a domical root 
covered with tin ; and a porch thirty-four by twenty-seven feet, roofed 
and covered the same way. The building is of wood, but the founda- 
tion and flights of steps are of marble. 

" This edifice," says a visiter, " stands in a beautiful grass plat, in 
the centre of the village. There are no seats in the house, except for 
spectators of their worship. Their stone walls and other fences are 
constructed with the utmost regularity and precision, and their gate- 
posts are of massive marble columns, of many tons weight. They 
manufacture a great variety of articles for sale, which are remarka- 
ble f(ir their neatness and durability ; and, in short, their farms, thejr 



COLUMBIA COUNTY. 121 

gardens, their manufactories, and houses, all exhibit the pleasing effects 
of industry and rural economy. Indeed, they are one independent 
community ; — their property is all held in common, and ' nowhere,' 
says Professor Silliman, ' in any community, can the moralist, the 
philosopher, or the statesman, see such a demonstration of the power 
of industry and economy.' They cheerfully pay their proportion of 
the public taxes, and share all the burdens of government except the 
bearing of arms, which they deem to be unlawful. They never ask 
charity for any purpose, but always have hands and hearts to give. 
We were conducted through the whole establishment in every de- 
partment. Their internal domestic arrangement is excellent. Their 
standing motto seems to be, to save time and labor, and all their va- 
rious machines and utensils are constructed to this end. We visited 
their extensive dairy, their washing-house, mills and manufactories, 
all of which evinced the most consummate skill and nicety. We also 
visited their school, consisting of about one hundred hearty, rosy- 
cheeked, and contented children, from eight to fifteen years of age. 
They underwent a very creditable examination in the various branches 
of astronomy, grammar, reading, spelling, arithmetic, &c., and gave 
us the most satisfactory proof that they are not trained up in igno- 
rance As far as our observation extended, they are as willing 

to let others think for themselves, as they are to cherish their own 
peculiarities ; and, surely, if they are tolerant we should not be in- 
tolerant. They are indeed a most singular people, but they have 
many, very many, excellent qualities. They are plain in their de- 
portment and manners, close though honest in their dealings, but kind, 
benevolent, and hospitable ; and they remember and treasure up 
every kindness shown to them. In short, they are inoffensive, quiet, 
and valuable citizens ; and notwithstanding the idle, and even abomi- 
nable stories that have been put forth against them, after close ob- 
servation for many years past, it is our deliberate conviction that among 
themselves they strictly live up to their professions, and that their 
conduct and morals are irreproachable."* 

The society own about 2,000 acres of land in this town, and about 
half as much more in Hancock, Mass., the adjoining town. Within 
a few years after " Mother Ann," as she is usually called, made an 
establishment at Neskayuna, {see Watervliet, p. 55,) another was be- 
gun at New Lebanon, which is now the principal Shaker establish- 
ment in the state. Their religious tenets must, of course, necessarily 
affect the order of their societies, by producing an entire separation 
of the men from the women. 

The leading characteristic in the worship of this people, is their 
dancing. This they describe as the involuntary result of the exhilirat- 
ing and overpowering delight received through the outpouring of di- 
vine grace upon their hearts. The evolutions and changes in the 
dance, by constant practice, become as precisely correct as the man- 
oeuvres of a regiment of experienced soldiers ; it becomes in fact a 

* New York Commercial Advertiser. 
16 



122 COLUMBIA COUNTY. 

mechanical movement. No one ever makes a mistake, or throws the 
rank in disorder from inattention or inexperience ; but every thing is 
conducted in the most exact order, as if every step and movement ot 
the body was directed by a gauge and rule. Dances are sometimes 
held in private houses, when variations are frequently introduced. 
On some occasions it is said their movements are so rapid, that the 
eye can scarce follow or keep pace with their swift motions. 

" The principal doctrines of the Shakers are a belief in the second 
appearance of Christ in the person of the holy mother. They admit 
of but two persons in the Godhead, God the Father, and God the 
Mother, which they say is according to the order of nature, being 
male and female. To relieve the depraved race of man, they believe 
that it became necessary for God to take upon him the real character 
of human nature as it is, male and female, and that his first appear- 
ance was in the person of man, and the second in the person of wo- 
man, whereby the work of redemption was finished and completed. 
The confusion and wickedness that prevailed in the Catholic Church, 
during the long period which preceded and followed the reformation, 
they ascribe to the work of redemption not being completed in Christ's 
first appearance, it being the necessary period that must intervene 
between the making and fulfilment of the promise of Christ, that he 
would establish his law of righteousness on earth. They believe in 
perfect holiness, and insist that salvation from sin here is necessary 
to salvation from misery hereafter. They regard the Bible as a tes- 
timony of Christ's first appearance, but deny that it contains the word 
of God, or of life, as they consider a belief in the second appearance 
of Christ, or in the spiritual character and mission of the holy mother, 
as indispensable to salvation." 

Stockport, so named from Stockport, England, the native place of 
Mr. Wilde, the proprietor of the mills at Columbiaville, was taken from 
Hudson, Ghent, and Stuyvesant, in 1833. The Claverack and Kin- 
derhook creeks unite near the centre of the town. In breaking 
through the high bank of the river, these streams, within three miles, 
have several falls which amount to about one hundred and sixty feet, 
and this water-power has given rise to the several flourishing manu- 
facturing villages named below. Columbiaville, t'cs miles N. of Hud- 
son, has very extensive cotton factories, and about forty-five dwell- 
ings. The Hudson river Seminary is located here. The print works 

for printing calicoes, were established fourteen years since, by J 

Marshall & Co., and employ about two hundred and fifty hands. 
There are in this vicinity about seventy dwellings. 'Chittenden's 
Falls are seven, and Springville two and a half miles from Hudson. 
At Glencadia, on the Kinderhook creek, three and a half miles from 
Hudson riiv, there are two falls amounting to about seventy feet, on 
which are situated extensive cotton factories. Pop. 1814. 

Stuyvesant was taken from Kinderhook in 1823. Stuyvesant or 
Kinderhook Landing, on the Hudson, is one hundred and twenty-five 
miles N. of New York, five W. from Kinderhook, twenty S. of Al- 
bany, and contains about fifty dwellings. Pop. 1,946. 



CORTLAND COUNTV. 



123 



Taghkanic, taken from Livingston, in 1823, by the name of Gran- 
ger ; name and bounds since altered. It is one of the towns of Liv- 
ingston manor, and lies SE. of Hudson fifteen miles. Pop. 1,724. 



CORTLAND COUNTY. 

Cortland county, taken from Onondaga in 1808, and named in 
honor of Gen. Pierre Van Cortlandt, who was a large landholder 
here : centrally distant NW. from New York 200, and from Al- 
bany, W., 145 miles. This county forms part of the high central 
section of the state. It has the dividing ridge between the northern 
and southern waters across its northern and western borders. It is 
consequently elevated. Its surface is composed of easy hills and 
broad valleys, giving it a gently waving and diversified aspect. The 
soil is generally a gravelly loam, rich and productive. This county 
comprises four whole and two half townships of the tract granted by 
the state to the soldiers of the revolution, and is settled chiefly by 
emigrants from the eastern states. Pop. 24,605. It is divided into 
11 towns. 

CiNciNNATUs, taken from Solon in 1804; W. from Albany 131, 
from Cortland, SE., 15 miles. Pop. 1,301. Cincinnatus, the post 
village, contains about 30 dwelUngs. , 

CoRTLANDViLLE, taken from Homer in 1829; 142 miles from Al- 
bany. Pop. 3,799. The following view shows the principal public 




Public buildings in Cortlandville. 

buildings in the village. The first building on the right is the Meth- 
odist church, the second the Academy, the third the Presbyterian, 
the fourth the Baptist, and the last the Universalist church. The 



124 



CORTLAND COUNTY. 



com-thouse is seen on the opposite side of the street. The village is 
pleasantly situated and laid out in regular squares. There are here 
two weekly newspaper offices and about 120 dwellings, some of them 
splendid, with neat door-yards adorned with trees, shrubbery, &c. &c. 
McGrawsville, a small village, is 4 miles E. from Cortlandville. South 
Cortland and Port Watson are post-offices. 

The following epitaph was copied from a monument in the grave- 
yard at Cortlandville. 

"In memory of Martha Menick, wife of David Merrick, who died April 8, 1831, in the 
62d year of her age. She had passed the last 32 years of her life in this town and Homer, 
having been among the first settlers in this county. She departed this life in the full faith 
of a blessed Saviour. She lived respected and died regretted." 

Freetown, taken from Cincinnatus in 1818 ; from Albany 140, and 
from Cortland, SE., 10 miles. Freetown Corners is a small village, 
and Freetown is a post-office. Pop. 949. 

Homer, organized in 1794. The township is level ; the soil a 
sandy and clay loam. Pop. 3,572. Homer village, the largest in 
the county, is beautifully situated upon a plain, upon the W. bank of 
the Tioughnioga river ; from Albany 138 miles, 40 N. from Oswego. 
30 S. from Syracuse, 2^ N. from Cortland village. The following 
view shows on the right the Episcopal church, the building next is 




Public buildings in Homer. 

the Academy, the third the Presbyterian, the fourth the Methodist, 
and the fifth the Baptist church. The Cortland Academy is a highly 
flourishing institution, having a collection of philosophical apparatus 
and a cabinet of minerals. The public buildings are upon a square 
of 6 acres. The village was incorporated in 1825, and has about 200 
buildings. 

Thefollowing is the copy of an inscription on a monument in the 
graveyard in this village. 

" Rev. Elnathan Walker, was bom at Taunton, Mass., Feb. 7th, 1780 ; graduated at 
Brown's College, Rhode Island, Sept. 7th, 1803. Joined the church in Dighton, Mass., 



DELAWARE COUNTY. 125 

Jan. 31, 1805, was ordained and installed Pastor of this church, Oct. 25th, 1809. Died 
June 4th, 1820. This monument is erected by an affectionate people as the last testimony 
of respect to their beloved pastor. Rev. Mr. Walker settled over this church when it con- 
sisted of 99 members. Admitted during his ministrj' 481. Left when he died 440. Hav- 
ing ended his labors and called upon God, saying Lord Jesus receive my spirit, he fell 
asleep. 

Marathon, originally named Harrison ; taken from Cincinnatus in 
1818; from Albany 145, and from Cortland, SE., 15 miles. Pop. 
1,063. Marathon is a small village about 4 miles from the county 
line, on the south. 

Preble, taken from Tully in 1808 ; from Albany 138, from Cort- 
land, N., 10 miles. Preble, a small post village, is seven miles N. of 
Cortland. Pop. 1,247. 

Scott, taken from Preble in 1815; from Albany 146 miles. The 
surface of the township is broken by ridges of hills running N. and 
S., with valleys of good land. Pop. 1,332. Scott Centre, post vil- 
lage 10 miles NW. of Cortland, has about 20 dwellings. 

Solon, organized in 1798 ; from Albany 140, from Cortland, E., 
10 miles. Solon and East Solon are post-offices. Pop. 2,311. This 
township has a soil of good quality, and the inhabitants have been 
much engaged in rearing cattle. 

Truxton, taken from Solon and Fabius in 1808 ; limits since 
changed ; from Albany 128, NE. from Cortland 12 miles. Pop. 
3,658. Truxton village, pleasantly situated on the right bank of the 
river, has about 40 dwellings. Cuyler is a post-office. 

Virgil, organized in 1804 ; from Albany 148, from Cortland, S., 
6 miles. Virgil and Hartford are small post villages. Pop. 4,501. 

Willet, taken from Cincinnatus in 1818; from Albany 137, from 
Cortland, SE., 17 miles. Pop. 870. This is a hilly township and 
but thinly settled. 



DELAWARE COUNTY. 

Delaware county, formed from Ulster and Otsego counties in 1797, 
is centrally distant from New York via Cattskill 166, SW. from 
Albany 77 miles. Greatest length NE. and SW. 60 ; greatest breadth 
SE. and NW. 37 miles. 

The county has a broken and diversified surface — from the rugged, 
lofty, and barren mountain side and summit, to the subsiding hill and 
the high and low plain, with the rich valley, and the low and fertile 
alluvion. Its climate is subject to sudden and gi-eat changes of tem- 
perature, yet not unfriendly to health and longevity. It is principally 
watered by the northeastern sources of the Delaware, a large navi- 
gable river of Pennsylvania, on which stands the city of Philadelphia. 
The east branch of the Susquehannah, another large stream of Penn- 
sylvania, forms a part of the northeastern boundary, as does the Del- 



126 DEI.AVVAUE COUNTY. 

aware a part of its southwestern. The Cookquago branch of the 
Delaware, or the true Delaware, as it ought to be called, runs nearly 
centrally through the county from NE. to S W. ; the Popacton branch 
runs nearly parallel with this, a short distance to the south of it. 
These streams with their branches, and many smaller streams, spread 
plentifully over the whole county, and supply a vast profusion of fine 
sites for mills. The quality of the soil is as various as the surface. 
On the upland there is a large proportion of chocolate-colored loam, 
and the valleys and alluvial tiats have a rich mould. The whole may 
be pronounced a good country for farming, well watered by small 
springs and rivulets. The heavy trade of this county follows the 
course of its lumber, which goes in rafts by the Delaware and Sus- 
quehannah rivers to Philadelphia and Baltimore ; while considerable 
traffic is carried on with the towns on the Hudson, to which there 
are turnpikes in various directions. The value of the wild lands in 
the county is from two to three dollars an acre, and the improved 
lands in the valleys average about 30 dollars, while those on the hills 
are worth about 5 dollars the acre. West of the Mohawk branch 
of the Delaware, the county was divided into several patents ; but 
east of it was included in the Hardenburgh patent. In 17G8, William, 
John, Alexander, and Joseph Harper, with eighteen others, obtained 
a patent here for 22,000 acres of land, and soon after the Harpers 
removed from Cherry Valley, and made a settlement which was 
called Harpersfield, but which was broken up by the Indians and 
tories during the revolutionary war. About one quarter of the county 
is under improvement. Pop. 32,933. The county has 18 towns. 

Andes, taken from Middletown in 1819 ; from Albany 90, centrally 
distant SE. from Delhi 15 miles. Shavertown and Andes are post- 
offices. This town and Bovina were principally settled by the Scotch. 
Pop. 2,176. 

BoviNA, taken from Middletown, Delhi, and Stamford, in 1820; 
distant from Albany 89, from Delhi centrally situated E. 10 miles. 
Bovina and Fish Lake are post-offices. Pop. 1,403. 

Colchester, taken from Middletown, part of Ulster county, in 
1792; bounds since reduced; from Albany 91, from .Delhi S. 21 
miles. Colchester and Popacton are post-offices. Pop. 1,567. The 
surface is hilly, somewhat mountainous. The settlements are princi- 
pally on a branch of the Susquehannah, which passes through the 
town. 

Davenport, formed in 1817 ; from Albany 65, from Delhi centrally 
situated N. 1 1 miles. Davenport, West Davenport, and Davenport 
Centre, are post-offices. Pop. 2.054. 

Delhi, taken from Middletown, Kortwright, and Walton, in 1798 ; 
area since much reduced; from Albany 77, west from Cattskill 68, 
from Kingston 67 miles. Pop. 2,555. 

The following view of Delhi village, the county seat, was taken on 
the eastern bank of the Delaware. This village was incorporated in 
1821. The building with a steeple seen on the extreme right is a 
factory — the spire near the centre of the view is that of the Epis- 



DELAWARE COUNTY. 



127 




Eastern view of Delhi Village. 

copal church, the one to the left the Presbyterian, and the cupolas 
are respectively those of the Courthouse, Jail, and Academy. The 
academy here, under the charge of the Rev. Daniel Shepherd, is in- 
corporated and flourishing. The village contains about 100 dwellings. 




Delaware Literary Institute, Franklin. 

Franklin, taken from Harpersfield whilst part of Otsego county, in 
1792; area since much altered. It was settled in 1785. Pop. 3,025. 
Franklin village is pleasantly situated 16 miles W. from Delhi, 80 
from Kingston, and 60 S. of Utica, and contains 1 Presbyterian, 1 
Baptist, and 1 Methodist church, and about 500 inhabitants. " The 
Delaware Literary Institute was incorporated in 1835. The build- 
ing is of stone, 86 feet long, 42 wide, and 4 stories high. It contains, 
besides rooms to accommodate 80 male students, a chapel, two re- 



128 ' DELAWARE COUNTY. 

citation rooms, and one for apparatus. Cost, including the site, $7,500. 
It has a chemical, a philosophical apparatus, and a library. It is di- 
rected by a board of 24 trustees. It has a male and female depart- 
ment, and five teachers are employed in instruction. Rev. Silas Fitch 
is principal, and Merit Piatt lecturer and instructor in natural science. 
It has 110 students. The moral influence and pecuniary advantages 
it affords are considered highly favorable." East Franklin and North 
Franklin are post-oflices. 

Hamden, taken from Walton and Delhi in 1825 ; from Albany 85, 
from Delhi, SW., 8 miles. Hamden is a small post village on the 
Delaw^are. Pop. 1,469. 

Hancock, a large and somewhat mountainous township, was taken 
from Colchester in 1806 ; from Albany 129, and from Delhi centrally 
distant SW. 27 miles. Hancock, East Branch, Bloomfield, Paulina, 
and Partridge Island are the post-offices. Pop. 1,027. The inhabi- 
tants, who are principally engaged in lumbering, are chiefly settled 
upon the Popacton branch of the Delaware. 

Harpersfield, organized in 1788 as part of Montgomery county ; 
bounds since much reduced ; from Albany 62 miles. It has a moun- 
tainous surface. Pop. 1,696. Harpersfield, 18 miles NE. of Delhi, 
and West Harpersfield, are small post villages. North Harpersfield 
is a post-office. 

The following is extracted from Mr. Campbell's interesting and 
valuable work entitled " Annals of Tryon County :" 

" In 1768, William, John, Alexander, and Joseph Harper, with eighteen other individuals, 
obtained a patent for twenty-two thousand acres of land lying in the now county of Dela- 
ware. The Harpers removed from Cherry Valley soon after, and made a settlement there 
which was called Harpersfield. This settlement had begun to flourish at the commence, 
ment of the war. Col. John Harper had the command of one of the forts in Schoharie. 

The following account of a successful enterprise of Col. Harper, was furnished by the 
Rev. Mr. Fenn, who received the information from him. He informed me that in the year 
1777, he had the command of the fort in Schoharie, and of all the frontier stations in this 
region. He left the fort in Schoharie, and came out through the woods to Harpersfield in 
the time of making sugar, and from thence laid his course for Cherry Valley to investigate 
the state of things there ; and as he was pursuing a blind kind of Indian trail, and was as- 
cending what are now called Decatur Hills, he cast his eye forward and saw a company of 
men coming directly towards him, who had the appearance of Indians. He knew that if 
he attempted to flee from them they would shoot him down ; he resolved to advance right 
up to them, and make the best shift for himself he could. As soon as he came near enough 
to discern the white of their eyes, he knew the head man and several others ; the head 
man's name was Peter, an Indian with whom Col. Harper had often traded at Oquago be- 
fore the revolution began. The colonel had his great-coat on, so that his regimentals were 
concealed, and he was not recognised ; the first word of address of Col. Harper's was, 
' How do you do, brothers ?' The reply was, ' AVell — how do you do, brother ? Which 
way are you bound, brother ?' ' On a secret expedition : and which way are you bound, 
brothers ?' ' Down the Susquehannah, to cut ofi' the Johnston settlement.' (Parson John- 
ston and a number of Scotch families had settled down the Susquehannah, at what is 
now called Sidney's Plains, and these were the people whom they were about to destroy.) 
Says the colonel, ' Where do you lodge to-night ?' ' At the mouth of Schenevas creek,* 
was the reply. Then shaking hands with them, he bid them good speed, and proceeded on 
his journey. 

" He had gone but a little way from them before he took a circuit through the woods, a 
distance of eight or ten miles, on to the head of Charlotte river, where were a number of 
men making sugar ; ordered them to take their arms, two days' provisions, a canteen of 
rum, and a rope, and meet him down the Charlotte, at a small clearing called Evans's place. 



DELAWARE COUNTY. 129 

at a certain hour that afternoon ; then rode with all speed through the woods to Harpers- 
field ; collected all the men who were there making sugar, and being armed and victualled, 
each man with his rope laid his course for Charlotte ; when he arrived at Evans's place he 
found the Charlotte men there, in good spirits ; and when he mustered his men, there were 
fifteen, including himself, exactly the same number as there were of the enemy ; then the 
colonel made his men acquainted with his enterprise. 

" They marched down the river a little distance, and then bent their course across the 
hill to the mouth of Schenevas creek ; when they arrived at the brow of the hill where 
they could overlook the valley where the Schenevas flows, they cast their eyes down upon 
the flat, and discovered the fire around which the enemy lay encamped. ' There they 
are,' said Col. Harper. They descended with great stillness, forded the creek, which was 
breast-high to a man ; after advancing a few hundred yards, they took some refreshment, 
and then prepared for the contest — daylight was just beginning to appear in the east. 
When they came to the enemy, they lay in a circle with their feet towards the fire, in a 
deep sleep ; their arms and all their implements of death, were all stacked up according to 
the Indian custom when they lay themselves down for the night : these the colonel se- 
cured by carrying them oflT a distance, and laying them down ; then each man taking his 
rope in his hand, placed himself by his fellow ; the colonel rapped his man softly, and said, 
' Come, it is time for men of business to be on their way ;' and then each one sprang upon 
his man, and after a most severe struggle they secured the whole of the enemy. 

" After they were all safely bound, and the morning had so far advanced that they could 
discover objects distinctly, says the Indian Peter, 'Ha! Col. Harper! now I know thee — 
why did I not know thee yesterday ?' ' Some policy in war, Peter.' ' Ah, me find em 
so now.' The colonel marched the men to Albany, delivered them up to the commanding 
officer, and by this bold and well-executed feat of valor he saved the whole Scotch settle, 
ment from a wanton destruction. 

" Early in the spring of 1780, a party of tories and Indians, under the command of Brant, 
destroyed Harpersfield. The inhabitants had generally left the place ; but a few of the 
men were at the time engaged in making maple sugar. Nineteen were taken prisoners, 
and several killed. A consultation was held in the Indian language in presence of the 
prisoners relative to a contemplated attack upon the upper fort, in Schoharie ; the Indians, 
satisfied with the booty and prisoners already obtained, were unwilling to risk any thing 
in an uncertain expedition ; some of the tories represented the plan as promising success, 
and advised the Indians to kill the prisoners, that they might not be encumbered with them. 
Brant came up to Capt. Alexander Harper, one of the prisoners, and drawing his sword, 
asked him if there were any troops in the fort ; saying his life should be taken if he did 
not inform him correctly. Harper knew enough of the Indian language to have learned 
the subject of the foregoing conversation, and immediately answered that it was well gar- 
risoned, believing that they would all be killed should he answer diff(?rently. Another pris- 
oner, hot knowing the determination of the Indians, and fearing their vengeance should the 
falsehood be detected, stated truly that there were few if any troops in the fort. Harper 
insisted that his statement was true ; he was believed, and they returned to Niagara. The 
last night of their journey they encamped a short distance from the fort. In the morning 
the prisoners were to run the gauntlet. Harper, knowing the hostility of the Indians to- 
wards him, and fearing they might take his life, requested Brant to interfere and protect 
him, which he promised to do. The Indians arranged themselves in two parallel lines, 
facing inward, with clubs and whips in their hands. 

" Harper was selected first ; he was a tall, athletic man, and on the first signal sprang 
from the mark with extraordinary swiftness. An Indian near the end of the line fearing 
he might escape with little injury, stept before him ; Harper struck him a blow with his fist, and 
then springing over him, ran towards the fort ; the Indians, enraged, broke their ranks and 
followed him. The garrison, who had been apprised of the movements of the Indians, 
were upon the walls when they saw Harper approaching ; they threw open the gate, and 
he rushed in, when they immediately closed it. It was with difficulty they could keep the 
Indians back. The other prisoners took different courses and got into the fort without 
passing through this, if not fiery, yet bloody ordeal."* 

* " William Harppr was an active member of the provincial congress, and after the war was several 
times a member of tlie state legislature. When Otsego county was formed, he was appointed one of the as- 
sistant judges, William Cooper, Esq., being first judge. He lived to a great age, and died a few years since 
at Milford, in Otsego county, retaining to tlie 'ast that strong desire for information which had characterized 
his public life. Col. John Harper died in Harpersfield, and Alexander and Joseph, soon after the vvar, ob- 
tained a grant of some land in the western part of the state of Ohio, whither they removed. The quiet of 
the comitry, and the approach of civilization, was not congenial to them. They preferred the life of a bor- 
derer, and sought it amid the boimdiess forests which then covered that beautiful state." 

17 



130 DELAWARE COUNTY. 

KoRTRiGHT, organized as part of Otsego county in 1793 ; from Al- 
bany 68 miles. Bloomville, 7 miles NE., and Kortright 14 miles from 
Delhi, are small villages. South Kortright and North Kortright are 
names of post-offices. Pop. 2,442. 

Masonville, taken from Sidney in 1811 ; from Albany 105, and 
from Delhi NW. centrally distant 24 miles. Pop. 1,420. This town 
contains great quantities of pine, and lumbering is the principal oc- 
cupation of its inhabitants. 

Meredith, taken from Franklin and Kortright in 1800; from Al- 
bany 77, and from Delhi centrally situated N. 8 miles! Meredith 
and West Meredith are small settlements. Pop. 1,640. Dr. Dwight, 
in his journey to the Niagara Falls in 1804, passed through this town. 
He says : " Meredith is in the fullest sense a new settlement. In the 
year 1800 it contained only 213 inhabitants, and in the year 1810, 
726. Peculiar efforts have been made by Mr. Law to introduce into 
this township sober, industrious, virtuous settlers. In this manner he 
has probably secured its prosperity, both moral and physical, for a 
century. Since the date of my journal, the inhabitants have built an 

academy, in which they assemble for public worship From 

the house of Mr. Law, a handsome mansion in the centre of the town, 
the prospect stretches to the south, over a valley ultimately bounded 
by mountains at the distance of thirty miles ; and to the north, over 
another valley which extends ten miles. The hill which limits the 
northern prospect is covered with a magnificent growth of white 
pines ; one of which having fallen down was measured by Mr. Law, 

and was found to be two hundred and forty-seven feet in length 

It is not improbable that the next generation may never see a white 
pine of the full size, and may regard an exact account of this noble 
vegetable production as a mere fable." — DioigMs Travels, vol. 4. 

MiDDLETow N, taken from Rochester and Woodstock as part of Ul- 
ster county, in 1789 ; area since much reduced ; settled by emigrants 
from New England, and by Scotch, Dutch, Irish, and German emi- 
grants ; from Albany 79, from Delhi centrally situated SE. 20 miles. 
Middletown, Ashville, Colesville, and Halcottsville, are post-offices. 
Pop. 2,608. 

RoxBURY, taken from Stamford in 1799; area since altered; per- 
manently settled by New England emigrants in 1790; from Al- 
bany 63 miles. Roxbury, formerly called Beaver Dam village, and 
Mooresville, 28 miles E. of Delhi, are small villages. Pop. 3,004. 

Sidney, taken from Franklin in 1801 ; from Albany 100, and from 
Delhi, NW., 24 miles. Sidney Plains, Sidney, and New Road, are 
post-offices. Near here is a locality called " the Beaverdam," where 
there are the timbers remaining of a dam constructed by the beavers 
which flooded 30 or 40 acres of land. Pop. 1,720. 

One of the first settlers of this town was Timothy Beach, originally 
from Fairfield county, Connecticut. At the close of the revolutionary 
war, Mr. Beach, with his son, a lad of about 12 years, proceeded up 
the Hudson river to Cattskill, and from thence struck across the wil- 
deniess to Wattle's Ferry, a distance of about one hundred miles. 



DELAWARE COUNTY. 1^1;^ 

Being considered dangerous to penetrate that distance without a 
guide, they procured the services of an Indian conductor. Mr. 
Beach selected his farm near Wattle's ferry, on the Susquehannah, 
then in a wilderness state, since known as the Ketchum farm. He 
then returned through the same woods, carrying his boy on his horse 
behind him, till he arrived in Connecticut. On November 11th, 1784. 
Mr. Beach with his family went up to Albany, and from thence con- 
tinued their journey till they arrived at Otsego lake, the head waters 
of the Susquehannah. Here they left their teams, as the road pro- 
ceeded no further, put their effects on board of a batteau, and glided 
gently down the lake, a distance of nine miles to its outlet, where they 
encamped in the open air, on the spot where the village of Coopers- 
town is now built. On the third day after leaving this place, Mr. 
Beach arrived at his farm, on which was a small clearing, having a 
log house in a ruinous state, in the centre. It appears that the place 
had belonged to a Scotchman who was killed by the Indians in the 
revolutionary war. 

" The shortness of time," says Mr. Priest, (in a pamphlet giving an account of the adven. 
tures of this family,) " between their arrival here and the setting in of winter, prevented the 
building a larger and a better log house. During this winter they became experimentally 
acquainted with cold, hunger, and a variety of sorrows, known only to the pioneers of an 
entire new country. Money was of but little use, as food was not to be bought where 
there was none for sale, as scarcely any as yet had been produced. There were but five 
families in the whole community, who having come in the spring of the same season, had 
not therefore had time to raise but little, consequently food of any kind was scarcely to be 
found among them. To procure it from a distance was also extremely difficult, there being 
no settlement where it could be had, nearer than old Schoharie, a distance of about seventy 
miles, to which place at that time the road was not much better than none at all. 

" This dreadful winter at length passed away, and with it, in a measure, their sufferings; 
as by this time they had learned of the Indians how to catch fish, which abounded in the 
river, coves, and creeks of the country. Without this relief they must have finally perished. 
But now a new scene of things, such as they had never before witnessed, says Mrs. Priest, 
were about to captivate their attention. March had begun to yield its rains ; the snow to 
feel its dissolving power; every rill and creek of the mountains to swell and roar, plunging 
forward over crag and cliff to the vales below. The devious Susquehannah began to put 
on majesty, drinking largely of its annual libation from earth and sky, swelling the headlong 
waters, which as they rose lifted and tore away the ice from the shores and promontories. 
Loud sounds were heard to moan along the thick-ribbed ice, the covering of the waters 
bursting in ten thousand places with the noise of tempests. But now commenced a more 
amazing display of the power of the waters. Already its banks were overflown, and the 
distant forests of the flats along the river, inundated with the sweeping flood to the very 
base of the hills. The broken ice began to move, large islands of it to rush upon each 
other, still breaking more and more, urging its way forward with resistless fury. Now the 
roar increases, large fields of ice plunge into the woods on either shore ; the trees bending, 
groan and snap asunder beneath the overwhelming load, still passing on till thrown in huge 
heaps along the shores and in the adjacent woods. Still the main channel pursues its way, 
every moment adds to the enormous weight it bears. As far as the eye can view from 
the tops of commanding eminences, above, below, all its commotion, plunging onward 
with a loud and steady roar till stayed on some long level in the river. Here it makes a 
stand, or but slowly moves ; as a vast army on the verge of battle, which halts to adjust 
its prowess, then to move again. So the river in its grandeur resumed its course a mo. 
ment, while from shore to shore the ice stood piled in pyramids, chafing up and down as if 
in anger. But now the level narrows to a defile between the mountains, when all at once 
the mass for many miles above, with whirhng eddies, stood at bay. So halts the embattled 
host, whose scouts descry the foe ; the council, cool in war, debate the safest mode to bring 
their legions fiercely to the fight. Now suddenly the waters rise and boil and foam through 
all its heaps and ranks of massive ice ; as generals do, inspiring courage in the soldier's 
breast. The upper floods having gathered head, urge on with augmented power its course ; 



132 DUTCHESS COUNTY. 

expectation stands aghast ; the lowing herds with stupid gaze wonder at the noise, deer 
from their coverts scamper to the hills, dogs howl from fear at the dismal sounds, horses 
enort, bounding with staring eyeballs both right and left ; when all at once the frozen dam 
gives way and rushes on with sound of thunder. Fury and desolation mark its progress, 
trees torn from their roots plunge here and there, old timber with fences swept from the 
fields and woods, mingle in the ruin ; onward roars the unconquered deluge, till from Otsego 
lake to where the frigluful Caughnawaga dashes to foam the descending river with the sub- 
dued and shivered ice : which ends the scene. 

Stamford, taken from Woodstock, and organized as part of Ulster 
CO. in 1792; from Albany 58, from Delhi, centrally distant NE., 16 
miles. Pop. 1,681, Hobart, upon the Delaware river, is a village 
containing about 80 dwellings. Stamford is a small village near the 
head of the river. 

Tompkins, originally named Pinefield, and taken from Walton in 
1808; it has a mountainous surface. Pop. 2,032. Deposit village, 
upon the Delaware, and partly in Broome co., 116 miles from Albany, 
40 SW. from Delhi, and on the Erie railroad, has about 70 dwellings. 
Cannonsville and Barbersville are small settlements. 

Walton, taken from Franklin in 1797; from Albany 94, from 
Delhi, centrally situated SW., 17 miles. Walton village, on the 
Delaware, has about 70 dwellings, within the area of a mile. Pop. 
1,844. 



DUTCHESS COUNTY. 

Dutchess county was organized in 1683. It is on the E. side of 
the Hudson river, 75 miles S. of Albany, and 74 N. of New York. 
Greatest length N, and S. 38, greatest breadth E. and W. 26 miles. 
This county is one of the most opulent in the state, though its area 
has been reduced by the erection of the small county of Putnam from 
its southern end. Along the eastern border towns there are ranges 
of hills called the Fishkill or Matteawan mountains. Along the west- 
ern borders of these, the surface is tossed into ridges and valleys, 
knolls and dales, fancifully diversified, producing a great variety of 
position, of soil and aspect, and a multitude of brooks and springs. 
In the southern part are some of the highest peaks of the Highlands. 
That called the Old Beacon, two miles from Matteawan village, and 
three from Fishkill Landing, raises its crest 1,471 feet, and the New 
Beacon or Grand Sachem, half a mile southward, towers 1,685 above 
tide. Their names are derived from the Beacons placed on their 
summits during the revolution. From the top of the latter, the view 
on the S. embraces the country upon the Hudson, for 25 miles to 
Tappan bay ; on the SE. includes Long Island and the sound ; and 
upon the NE. and W. comprehends, in the diameter of a circle 50 
miles in extent, scenery of every diversity, blending the beauties of 
cultivation with the stern and unchangeable features of nature. The 
principal streams are the Hudson river on its western boundary, Ten 



DUTCHESS COUNTY. 133 

Mile, Fishkill, and Wappinger's creeks. As a whole, the county is 
highly fertile, producing abundantly wheat, rye, corn, oats, and grass, 
and an immense amount of produce is annually exported to New 
York. This county is divided into 18 towns. Pop. 50,926. 

Amenta, from Albany 75, and from New York 95 miles. Pop. 
2,179. Until 1761, Amenia was part of the Crom Elbow precinct, 
when it was erected into a separate one, and in 1788, into a town- 
ship with its present name. Ameniaville, 24 miles E. of Poughkeep- 
sie, is a small village. The Amenia Seminary, in Ameniaville, has 
been in operation about 5 years, and is in a flourishing condition. 
The village of Hitchcock's Corners, 29 miles from Poughkeepsie, lies 
partly in this town, and partly in Sharon, in the state of Connecticut. 
It is pleasantly situated in a beautiful and populous valley, rich in the 
resources of agricultural wealth. The township comprises the width 
of the oblong tract, and the E. tier of lots, in the Great Nine Part- 
ners, — a large tract from the Hudson to the W. line of Connecticut, 
granted to nine proprietors or partners. It is stated in Spafford's 
Gazetteer, that "in 1711, Richard Sackett and family lived on this 
tract, and continued the only white family until 1724, when Ulric or 
Oliver Winegar removed thither from the German Camp in Livings- 
ton manor, with a few other families. But the improvements were 
very small until 1741, when several families emigrated here from 
Connecticut." 

Beekman, organized in 1788 ; from New York, NE., 87, from Al- 
bany, S., 90 miles. Pop. 1,400. The Clove vale in this town, which 
was early settled by the Dutch, is extremely fertile. " On the Sprout 
creek, which rises in this town, a great quantity of human bones have 
accidentally been discovered, lying promiscuously, as if a vast pile 
of human bodies had here been made, and left to rot. No tradition 
has been preserved of this event, but it is supposed the spot was once 
the scene of a bloody Indian battle, and that the slain were hastily 
thrown together, probably friends and foes, and left to the raven, the 
fox, and the worm." Beekmanville, on the Fishkill, 16 miles E., 
Greenhaven, 18, and Poughquake, 18 E. of Poughkeepsie, are small 
settlements. At the Beekman furnace 1,000 tons of pig iron are an- 
nually manufactured. 

Clinton, organized in 1788 ; NE. from New York 90, from Al- 
bany, SE,, 70, and from Poughkeepsie, NE., 16 miles. Clinton ville, 
Pleasant Plains, Clinton Hollow, and Schultz Corners, are small set- 
tlements. Pop. 1,830. 

Dover, taken from Pawling in 1807 ; from New York, N., 80, and 
from Albany, S., 90 miles. This town was early settled by the Dutch. 
Pop. 1,999. Dover, South Dover, 24 E. from Poughkeepsie, and 
Chestnut Ridge, 2 miles S. from Dover village, are small settlements. 

Near Dover village is a remarkable cavern, which, from the re- 
semblance of the entrance to the pointed Gothic arch, is called the 
Stone Church. The following description is from the pen of a late 
visiter : — 

" The Stone Church consists of a fissure in the rock on a declivity 



134 



DUTCHESS COUNTY. 




Dover Stone Church. 



of the mountain, and near its 
base, through which passes a 
rippling streamlet, which, in its 
passage down until it reaches 
the ground-work or floor of the 
church, forms numerous and 
extensive cascades, some of 
thirty feet in height, and from 
ten to fifteen in breadth. This 
current has been looked upon 
as the great architect of the 
work. The opening, though 
so narrow at the top as to ap- 
pear almost closed, gradually 
widens to its base, so that it 
forms a vast arch of very con- 
siderable regularity, of per- 
haps twenty feet span and up- 
wards. Its greatest depth is 
probably two hundred feet ; 
and the inner or principal 



apartment, (it being divided into two spacious halls,) is about 
seventy feet in length, and is well lighted and aired from above. The 
ante-chamber, as it may be termed, or hall of entrance, is separated 
from the church by a huge mass of rock, which has detached itself 
from the side or roof, and is aptly styled the pulpit. The view is 
well fitted to inspire feelings of devotion. The heart, touched by 
the religious gloom and solemnity of the place, acknowledges the 
power of the Creator, and rises in admiration of his works." 

FisHKiLL was organized in 1788. Pop. 10,436. This town was 
settled by the Dutch, previous to any other in the county. Its early 
inhabitants called it Vis-kill, that is, fish creek ; kill being the Dutch 
for creek, — hence its present name. Matteawan is a beautiful manufac- 
turing village upon the Fishkill creek, about a mile from the landing, 
at the foot of the Matteawan mountain. It was founded in 1814, by 
Messrs. Schenck and Leonard, about which time the Matteawan com- 
pany was formed. There are here several large cotton mills, and 
factories of various descriptions. There are about 2,000 persons 
connected with and employed in the works. S. Grosvenor & Com- 
pany, are the agents of the company in New York. Thei-e are many 
neat dwelhngs, and two beautiful churches, one Presbyterian and one 
Episcopalian, at whose sabbath schools 250 children attend. No 
intoxicating liquors are permitted to be sold, and almost the whole 
population have pledged themselves to abstain from their use. " The 
deep valley, with its cascades and rapids ; the village, with its neat 
white dwellings, magnificent factories, and ornamental churches, 
overhung by the stupendous mountain, render this one of the most 
beautiful scenes in the state, where enlightened, cheerful, and perse- 



DUTCHESS COUNTY. 



135 




Factory Buildings in Matteawan, Fishkill. 

vering industry is reaping its due reward. It attracts much atten- 
tion, and is greatly resorted to in the summer season." 

Glenham, Franklinville, and Rocky Glen, are small manufacturing 
villages. Fishkill Landing, Hopewell, New Hackensack, Carthage, 
Upper Landing, Johnsonville, Hughsonville, Storm ville, Shenandoah, 
Cackemeyer's Mills, Gayhead, and Peckville, are small villages or 
hamlets. Fishkill village, on the creek, 5 miles from the Hudson 
river, and 16 from Poughkeepsie, is situated upon a beautiful plain, in 
a fertile country, and has about eighty dwellings, an academy, one 
Episcopal, and one Dutch church. A portion of the American army 
were located here in the revolutionary war. Their barracks were 
about half a mile south of the village. The head-quarters of the 
ot?icers was the dwelling now occupied by Isaac Van Wyck. Esq., 
generally known by the name of the " Wharton House."* The bar- 
racks commenced about 30 rods north of this dwelling, from the resi- 
dence of the widow, Mrs. Cornelius Van Wyck, and extended south- 
wardly near the line of the road, to the foot of the mountain. The 
soldiers' graveyard was situated near the base of the mountain, where 
a road turns off from the turnpike to the east. While the army was 
here, the tory and other prisoners were confined in the old Dutch 
stone church, represented in the following engraving. In this church, it 
is said that Enoch Crosby was confined, and escaped in an apparently 
miraculous manner. 

The following is an inscription on a monument in the graveyard, 
adjoining the church : 

* This dwelling and its vicinity is the scene of " The Spy," by J. Fennimore Cooper. 
Some years since a work was published, entitled " Enoch Crosby, or the Spy Unmasked," 
which attempted to identify the hero of Cooper's novel with a person then living. This 
production is generally beheved to have but slight foundation in truth. It is not, however, 
questioned, but that there was such a person as Enoch Crosby, and that some of the adven- 
tures attributed to him actually happened. He died at South East, in Putnam cc, about 
10 or 12 years since. 



136 



DUTCHESS COUNTY. 



" Glory to God alone ! Sacred to the memory of the Reverend Nicholas Van Vrancken, 
minister of Jehovah Jesus, and Pastor of the Dutch Reformed Congregations of Fishkill, 
Hopewell, and New Hackensack. This excellent man lived tenderly beloved, and died 
deeply lamented, by the people of his charge. He was born the 24th of May, 1762, and 
departed in peace and rested in hope, the 20th of May, 1804, aged 41 years, 11 months 
and 19 days. The Lord gave, and the Lord taketh away ; blessed be the name of tho 
Lord." 




Old Dutch Stone Church, Fishkill 

The following extracts are from newspapers published at the time 
to which they refer : — 

" July I2th, 1765. — We hear from the Fishkills, that for a week or two past, a tiger or 
panther has been seen in the woods in that neighborhood, not far from Mr. Depeyster's 
house. It had killed several dogs, torn a cow so that she died the same day, and carried 
off the calf; it likewise carried off a colt of about a week old. Eight men with their 
guns went in search of it, and started it at a distance ; it fled with great swiftness, and has 
been since seen at the Fishkills." 

" August 28th, 1776. — A few days since about 100 women, inhabitants of Dutchess 
county, went to the house of Colonel Brinkerhoff, at Fishkill, and insisted upon having tea 
at the lawful price of six shillings per pound, and obliged that gentleman to accommodate 
them with one chest from his store for that purpose. Shortly after he sold his cargo to 
some Yorkers, who, for fear of another female attack, forwarded the nefarious stuff to the 
North river precipitately, where it is now afloat, but the women have placed their guard on 
each side." 

" Forty Dollars Reward will be paid by the subscriber, besides all reasonable expences, 
for detecting and bringing to justice, one or more of a gang of villains, eight or ten in num- 
ber, who, on the night of the 17th of August last, armed with guns, bayonets, and swords, 
surrounded the house of Mrs. Phebe Thomas, on Quaker Hill, in Dutchess county, which 
some of their number forcibly entered, and after many threatening expressions, robbed the 
subscriber of the following articles, viz. 180 silver dollars, 28 guineas, 9 half Johanneses, 
1 green silk purse, opening with a spring with a large silver hook, and containing between 
^£4 and £5 in small silver, with one guinea ; two pairs of silver shoe buckles ; 1 silver 
table-spoon, marked with the letters R. M., with a T at top between them ; 1 small silver 
snuff-box, marked A. S.; 1 large paper snuff-box ; one silver thimble ; two penknives, (one 
with a rnother-of-pearl handle,) in cases ; one carved ivory tooth-pick case ; one lawn hand- 
kerchief; one red and white linen do.; tluee cotton stockings, and one pair of white yarn 
knit garters. One pair of buckles has been found upon a fellow, who went by the name 
of Williams, who formerly used to profess himself a painter in New York ; was lately 
taken up on a charge of some other felonies, and imprisoned at Kingston, in Ulster county. 



DUTCHESS COUNTY. 137 

from whence, on the approach of the British incendiaries, he was removed (with the other 
prisoners,) into the state of Connecticut, where he is now confined. 

" Quaker Hill, Nov. 5, 1777. MARY FERRARI." 

" Fiskkill, February 1th, 1783. — It is with pain and regret, that we mention the death 
of Lieutenant-Colonel Barber, who was unfortunately killed at camp the 11th ult. The 
circumstances which led to this unhappy catastrophe, we are told, are as follows : Two 
soldiers were cutting down a tree ; at the instant he came riding by it was falling, which 
he did not observe, till they desired him to take care ; but the surprise was so sudden, and 
embarrassed his ideas so much, that he reined his horse to the unfortunate spot where the tree 
fell, which tore his body in a shocking manner, and put an immediate period to his existence." 

Hyde-park, so called from the country seat of the late Dr. S. Bard ; 
taken from Clinton in 1821 ; from New York, N., 81, and from Alba- 
ny, S., 68 miles. Pop. 2,364. Hyde Park village and landing are 
about 7 miles N. from Poughkeepsie. The village has several church- 
es, about 80 dwellings, a distinguished female seminary and a classi- 
cal school for boys. The magnificent seat of the late Dr. Hosack is 
here. Staatsburg is a post-office, 2 miles N. of Hyde Park. 

La Grange, originally named Freedom, and taken from Beekman 
and Fishkill in 1821 ; from Albany, S., 77, and from Poughkeepsie, 
SE., 8 miles. Freedom Plains, Spouts Creek, and Arthursburg, are 
names of post-offices. Pop. 1,851. 

Milan, taken from North East in 1818 ; from Albany 63 miles. Mi- 
lan, Shookville, 25 N., and Lafayette Corners and Rock City, each 
24 miles from Poughkeepsie, are small villages. Pop. 1,726. 

North East, organized in 1788. The surface of this township 
is covered with portions of the Taghkanic and Matteawan mountains. 
The western mountains are cultivated to their summits, and have 
excellent lands for sheep pasturage. Spencer's Corners, 31 NE., 
North Amenia, 28 NE., and Federal Store, 25 miles NE. from Pough- 
keepsie, are small villages. The form of this town is nearly that of 
a boot, 10 miles long E. and W., 5 wide at the top or W. end, 3 
across the ancle, and with a foot 7 miles in length. Pop. 1,381. 

Pawling, organized in 1788; from Poughkeepsie, SE., 22 miles. 
Pop. 1,571. Pawlingville and Quaker Hill are small post villages; 
the latter was first settled by Friends in 1740. 

Pine Plains, taken from North East in 1823; from Albany 72 
miles. Pine Plains, 28 miles NE. from Poughkeepsie, has about 40 
dwellings. Hammertown and Pulver's Corners are small settlements. 
The western part of this township is mountainous. In the north- 
eastern part there was formerly an extensive plain covered with 
pines, — hence the name of the town. Pop. 1,324. 

Pleasant Valley, taken from Clinton in 1821 ; from New York 
84, and from Albany 82 miles. Pleasant Valley is a manufacturing 
village, 7 miles NE. from Poughkeepsie, beautifully situated upon the 
right bank of Wappinger's creek, and has 1 Presbyterian, 1 Metho- 
dist, 1 Friends, and 1 Episcopal churchy and about 100 dwellings. 
Salt Point, 12 miles NE. from Poughkeepsie, and Washington Hol- 
low, are small villages. Pop. 2,219. 

Poughkeepsie was organized in 1788: its name is said to have 
been derived from the Indian word Apokeepsing, signifying safe har- 

18 



J 38 



DUTCHESS COUNTY. 



bo7'. The face of the country along the Hudson river is somewhat 
broken, but the general surface is but moderately uneven. Pop. 
10,000. The village of Poughkeepsie, one of the most thriving and 
substantial places in the state, was first founded by a number of 
Dutch familes somewhere about the year 1700. Being situated 
about half-way between New York and Albany, it occasionally be- 
came, in early periods of its history, the place of legislative deliberations. 
The convention which met to deliberate on the Federal Constitution, 
and voted for its adoption, met in this place in 1788, The annexed 
engraving, taken from one published in the Family Magazine, Dec. 
1838, is a representation of the first house erected in this place. It 




Van Kleek House. 

was built in the year 1702, by Myndert Von Kleek, one of the earliest 
settlers of Dutchess county. The house and grounds attached are 
still in possession of his descendants. It belonged to Matthew Vas- 
sar, Esq., in 1835, the year in which this house was demohshed. — 
The distant building seen on the left, is that of the old brewery, this 
ancient edifice exhibited its port-holes, a feature so common in the 
buildings of the early settlers, they being necessary for defence against 
the original possessors of the soil. In 1787, this building, then a 
public house of some note, was used as a stadt-house ; the eleventh 
session of the legislature of this state was held therein. George 
Clinton was then governor of the state, and Pierre Van Cortlandt, 
afterward mayor of New York, lieutenant-governor. 

Poughkeepsie is by the river, 70 miles from Albany, and 75 from 
New York, 18 from Kingston, 14 from Newburg, and 42 from Hud- 
son. Population of the village in 1840, was 7,710. The central part 
of the village is nearly a mile from the landing place on the Hudson, 
standing on an elevated plain about 200 feet from the river. Several 
roads conveniently graded, and the principal one paved, lead from 
the shore to the plain above, which on the north is overlooked by a 
beautiful slate hill, from which is a commanding prospect of the adja- 
cent country. The Fall creek or kill meanders through the plain on 
which the village is built, and finally passes into the Hudson by a 



DUTCHESS COUNTY. 



139 



succession of cataracts and cascades, which together fall more than 
160 feet, affording water-power for a number of mills and factories. 
There are 11 churches, viz : 2 Presbyterian, 2 Episcopal, 2 Meth- 
odist, 2 Friends, 1 Baptist, 1 Catholic, and 1 African ; there is also 
a Universalist society. There are 3 banks, having an aggregate 
capital of 8850,000, 3 newspaper offices, and a variety of manu- 
facturing establishments. Within the limits of the village are twelve 
male and female schools, all of which are of a superior order. 




Poughkeepsie Collegiate School. 

The above is a representation of the Poughkeepsie Collegiate 
School, erected on the summit of an elevated hill about a mile from 
the Hudson, and half a mile northward from the business part of the 
village. This structure is modelled after the Parthenon at Athens, 
and is 35 by 115 feet in size, exclusive of the colonnade; inclusive, 
77 by 137 feet. It cost, exclusive of the ground, about forty thousand 
dollars. This institution was opened for the reception of pupils in 
Nov., 1836, under the superintendence of Mr. Charles Bartlett, as- 
sisted by eight competent teachers. During the first term, there 
were 50 pupils ; the second, 84 ; the third, 94 ; and the fourth term, 
108. "its situation is truly a noble one ; standing on an eminence 
commanding an extensive view of almost every variety of feature 
necessary to the perfection of a beautiful landscape. From the col- 
onnade, which entirely surrounds it, the eye of the spectator can 
compass a circuit of nearly fifty miles : on the south, at a distance of 
twenty miles, the Highlands terminate the view, within which an 
apparent plain stretches to their base, covered with highly cultivated 
farms, neat mansions, and thriving villages. Similar scenery meets 
the eye on the east, but more undulating. On the west and north, 
the Hudson rolls on in its pride and beauty, dotted with the sails of 
inland commerce and numerous steamboats, all laden with products 
of industry and busy men. In the dim distance, the azure summits 
of the Cattskill, reared to the clouds, stretch away to the north, a dis- 
tance of forty miles, where the far-famed ' Mountain House' is dis- 
tmctly seen, like a pearl, in its mountain crest, at an elevation of 
nearly three thousand feet above the river. At our feet, like a beau- 
tiful panorama, lies the village of Poughkeepsie, with its churches, its 
Hterary institutions, and various improvements in view, indicating the 
existence of a liberal spirit of well-directed, enterprise." The Dutch- 



140 DUTCHESS COUNTY. 

ess County Academy was erected in 1836, in the southeast part of 
the village, at an expense of about f 14,000. The average number 
of its pupils is about one hundred. " The objects of this institution 
are to prepare young men for college, for teachers of common schools, 
for the counting-house, or any of the active pursuits of life," 

The follov^^ing is copied from the ancient records in Poughkecpsie, 
and will serve to show one form of a legal instrument in olden times. 

D^ ) Thomas Sanders Esqr. Justice of the peace 

UTCHESS LOUNTY > SS. r • j r^ . a ■ j 

) tor said bounty Assigned. 

To all Constables and other officers as well within the 
£L. S.] said County as Elsewhere within the Collony of New 
York to whom the Execution hereof doth or may 
Concern Greeting 

WHEREAS I have Received Information and Charge against one 
James Jones Lately Come from Lebanon In ye County of Windham 
In ye Collony of Conecticut and Liveing in Dutchess County at the 
house of one Ellexander Griggs Calls him self a Weaver a Lusty 
Well Sott Likely man full faced Brown Complextioned and wares a 
Black Wigg Irishman ; by birth by the brogue on his Speach Who 
is Charged before me to be a Dangerous person and is suspected to 
have Stolen a Silver Spoon or the bigest part of a Silver Spoon ; as 
by a Warrant Produced ; and the Complaint of William Derddy of 
Lebanon in County afores"* Some time in the month of this Present 
November. 

Notwithstanding Seavvrall Endeavours for apprehensions of him 
he hath not as yett been apprehended but hath withdrawn himself 
and fled — Lately from Lebanon in ye County of Windham In ye 
Colloney of Conecticut and is Come to our County of Dutchess These 
are therefore in his majesties name to Command you and Every of 
You to make diligent Search within your Severall Precincts and 
Districts for said James Jones and to make hue and Cry after him 
from Town to Town and from County to County and that as well 
by horsemen as footmen according to Law and if you shall find the 
said James Jones that then you do Carry him before some one of his 
majesties Justice of the Peace Within the County or place Whare he 
shall be taken to be Dealth withall according to Law Hereof fails 

not at your perrills Given Under my Hand In Dutchess 

County this Seventeenth Day of November In the fourth year of our 
Reaign And In the Year of our Lord God Everlasting An" 1730 
To Franc Cool! High Constapel „, , ^ "^T" rr., o j 

In Dutchess County pursue Afier The mark of ^ Thomas Sanders 

the Person In this Hue and Cry Justice of the Peace. 

Red Hook, taken from Rhinebeck in 1812; from Albany 55, and 
from New York 96 miles. Pop. 2,833. Red Hook is a small village, 
25 miles N. from Poughkeepsie. Upper Red Hook, Barrytown, and 
TivoU, are post-offices. 



DUTCIIE3S COUNTY- 



HI 



Rhinebeck, organized in 1788, is centrally distant from Pough- 
keepsie 17, from Albany 57, and from N. York 91 miles. Pop. 2,749. 
The surface of the township in the eastern part is rolling, in the 
western it is level. The Rhinebeck flats, near the centre, are noted 
for easy culture and fertility : the Wirtemhurg tract, in the SE. part 
of the town, has a light soil, which has been rendered productive by 
the use of plaster. This town was settled at an early period, by 
some German families, and derives its name from the river Rhine in 
Germany, and Bcehnan, an original proprietor. Much of the land 
was formerly holden in large tracts, and leased out to tenants in small 
farms. The village of Rhinebeck Flats was incorporated in 1834, 
and is 3 miles E. from the Hudson. It contains a Dutch Reformed 
and a Methodist church, an Academy, with upwards of 100 houses 
in the vicinity. Rhinebeck Landing, on the river, is 90 miles from 
New York and 55 from Albany. 




Methodist Church and Academy, at Rhinebeck. 

The above is an eastern view of the Methodist church and the 
Academy in the central part of the village. The Methodist church, 
a plain but substantial stone structure, is seen on the left, and the 
Academy on the right. The church was erected in 1822 ; the Rev. 
Ffeeborn Garrettson, a resident of this town, contributed largely to 
its erection. Mr. Garrettson was one of the pioneers of the Meth- 
odist denomination in this part of the state, and on account of his 
labors to promote the cause of Christianity, and of his exemplary life, 
his memory is deservedly cherished with respect and affection. Mr. 
G. was born in Maryland in 1752. His parents were members of 
the Church of England, and educated their children in the same faith. 
About the beginning of the American revolution, some of the first 
Methodist preachers who came over to America labored in the vi- 
cinity of his father's residence. He joined the Methodist society, and 
soon after became a travelling preacher. He was remarkably con- 
scientious in the performance of whatever he considered his duty. 
Being convinced that slaveholding was wrong, he gave his slaves their 
freedom, telling them, that they did not belong to him, and he did not 
desire their services, without making them a compensation. Having 



142 ERIE COUNTY. 

conscientious scruples which deterred him from taking the prescribed 
state oath, during the revolutionary period, he suffered some persecu- 
tions on this account. In one instance, he was seized by a mob, who 
took him to a magistrate, by whom he was ordered to prison. While 
part of the mob were taking him thither, they were dispersed by a 
remarkable flash of hghtning, and he was left unmolested. In 1788, 
Mr. Garrettson was appointed presiding elder for the district north 
of New York, then including all the circuits from New Rochelle to 
Lake Champlain. In 1793, he was married to Miss Livingston, 
daughter of Judge Livingston, of Clermont, in the manor of Livings- 
ton. In 1799, a mansion-house was erected on the bank of the 
Hudson, in Rhinebeck, where his family were settled during the re- 
mainder of his life. The following is a copy of the inscription on 
his monument, in the graveyard attached to the church represented 
in the en":ravinof. 

" Sacred to the memory of the Rev. Freeborn Garrettson, an itinerant minister of the 
Methodist Episcopal church. He commenced his itinerant ministry in the year 1775. In 
this work he continued until his death, laboring with great diligence and success in various 
parts of the United States and of Nova Scotia. He died in peace, in the eiiy of New 
York, September 27th, 1827, in the 76th year of his age, and 52d of his ministry. — ' Mark 
the perfect man, and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace,' Psalm xxxvi. 
37. — ' I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith : — 
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous 
judge shall give me at that day, and not to me only, but all them also that love his appear- 
ing,' 11 Tim. iv. 7, 8." 

Stanford, taken from Washington in 1788; from New York 110, 
and from Albany 78 miles. Pop. 2,278. Stanford, with Clinton ana 
Washington, comprised Charlotte precinct before the revolution. 
This precinct has been settled about 100 years. Bangall, 20 miles 
NE. from Poughkeepsie, Attlebury, Old Attlebury, Separate, Hull's 
Mills, Stewart's Corners, and Bare Market, are small settlements. 

Union Vale, taken from Beekman and La Grange in 1827; from 
New York 75, from Albany 90, and from Poughkeepsie, E., 15 miles. 
Pop. 1,499. Verbank and Clove are post-offices, 

Washington, organized in 1788 ; from Poughkeepsie, E., 16 miles. 
Pop. 2,833. The principal portion of the early settlers were Friends 
or Quakers, from Long Island and the eastern states. Mechanics- 
ville, 15 miles E. of Poughkeepsie, and Hartsville, are small villages. 
At the former place is the Nine Partners Orthodox Friends school 
which was established in 1797, and is now flourishing. 



ERIE COUNTY. 

Erie county was taken from Niagara county in 1821. Greatest 
length N. and S. 44, and greatest breadth E. and W. 30 miles. 
Centrally distant from New York 357, from Albany, W., 298 miles. 
Lake Erie and the Niagara river form its western boundary, the 



ERIE COUNTY. 143 

Tonawanta creek its northern, and the Cattaraugus its southern. 
The many streams which empty into Lake Erie furnish fine mill sites. 
The Erie canal enters the Tonawanta creek on the northern border ; 
from which a towing path has been constructed along the bank of 
the creek, which is used as a canal 12 miles to the Tonawanda vil- 
lage, a short distance above its junction with Niagara river, near 
Grand Island. A railroad connects Buffalo with the village at Niag- 
ara Falls, and one with the Black Rock ferry. The surface in the 
northern part of the county is level or gently undulating ; the southern 
is more diversified, but no part is hilly. Generally the soil is good ; 
consisting in the northern half, of warm, sandy, and gravelly loam, 
occasionally mixed with clay, and adapted to wheat ; in the southern, 
clay prevails, and is productive of grass. Both portions yield excel- 
lent and various fruits. About one third of the land is under im- 
provement. The whole county was within the Holland Land Com- 
pany's purchase, excepting a strip a mile wide on the Niagara river. 
The county has 21 towns. Pop. 62,251. 

Alden, taken from Clarence in 1823; from Albany 272 miles. 
Pop. 1,984. Alden, 20 miles E. of Buffalo, is a small village. 

Amherst, taken from Buffalo in 1818 ; from Albany 283 miles. 
Pop. 2,440. Williamsville, 10 miles NE. from Buffalo, is a thriving 
village containing about 50 dwellings. 

Aurora was erected in 1818, when the former town of Willink 
was divided into 3 towns, Aurora, Wales, and Holland, abolishing 
the name of Willink, which had been given in honor of one of the 
principal proprietors of the Holland Land Company. It has an un- 
dulating surface, soil clay and gravelly loam. Pop. 2,909. Aurora 
village IS 15 miles SE. from Buffalo ; it contains about 700 inhabit- 
ants, 1 Presbyterian and 1 Methodist church, and 150 dwellings. 
The Baptists are the most numerous denomination in the village, and 
occupy the Presbyterian church one half of the time. The hydraulic 
privileges within one fourth of a mile from the village are very great, 
and can be used to almost any extent. Griffin's Mills is a small set- 
tlement 3 miles SW. from Aurora. The Aurora Seminary was 
incorporated in 1833. 

Boston, taken from Eden in 1817 ; from Albany 289, from Buffalo, 
SE., 18 miles. The land is elevated, the soil a moist or wet loam, 
and adapted for grass. Boston, Boston Centre, and North Boston, are 
small settlements. Pop. 1,746. 

Black Rock, recently organized, comprises what was formerly the 
southern part of the town of Buffalo. The village of Black Rock is 
in two divisions, the upper and lower. The post-office, which is in 
the south part, is 3 miles from Buffalo, opposite the village of Water- 
loo on the Canada side. 

The following is a distant northern view of part of the village of Black 
Rock ; the Canada side, on which is the village of Waterloo, is seen 
on the right and Lake Erie in the extreme distance. A ferry boat 
plies between Waterloo and the south part of Black Rock village. 
Niagara river at this point is three fourths of a mile wide, 20 feet 



144 



ERIE COUNTY. 




Distant view of Black Rock and vicinity. 

deep, and runs with a current of 6 miles an hour. The harbor of 
Black Rock is 4,565 yards long from N. to S., and from 88 to 220 
yards broad, containing an area of 136 acres. It begins in the lake 
opposite Bufialo, at Bird island, and is continued, by a mole of double 
wooden cribs filled in with stone 18 feet wide and 2,915 yards long, 
to Squaw island, and is raised from 1 to 4 feet above the surface of the 
river, rising gradually towards the north. A dam at the end of Squaw 
island, connecting it with the main land, raises the water about 4^ feet 
to the level of the lake. The average depth of the water in this harbor 
is 15 feet. By means of the dam, great water-pcwer is obtained, and 
mills of various kinds are established at the lower village. The vil- 
lage of Black Rock contains about 350 dwellings, and 2,000 inhabit- 
ants. 

Black Rock, in common with other places on the Niagara fron- 
tier, was. ravaged and burnt by the enemy in December, 1813. On 
the 11th of July previous, the British made an attack on the place. 
The following particulars of this event are compiled from the Buffalo 
Gazette. 

" The British troops which crossed over at Black Rock on the 10th inst. were coninianded 
by Cols. Bishop and Warren. They crossed the Niagara below Squaw island, and marched 
far above the navy yard before any alarm was given. The detached militia being surprised, 
retreated up the beach, and left the enemy in quiet possession of the village, who proceeded 
to burn the sailors' barracks and block-houses at the great battery. They then proceeded 
to the batteries, dismounted and spiked three 12 pounders, and took away 3 field-pieces 
and one 12 pounder; they took from a storehouse a quantity of whiskey, salt, flour, pork, 
&c., which, with four citizens, they took across the river. At the first moment of the alarm, 
Gen. Porter left Black Rock for Buffalo, at which place he assembled a body of volunteers 
and a few regulars, which, with 100 militia and 2.5 Indians, formed a junction about a mile 
from the enemy. After being formed, with the miliiia and Indians on the flanks and the 
volunteers and the regulars in the centre, they attacked, and the enemy, after a contest of 
20 minutes, retreated in the utmost confusion to the beach, embarked in several of our 
boats, and pulled for the opposite shore ; all the boats got off without injury, except the last, 
which suffered severely from our fire, and from appearance nearly all the men in her were 
killed or wounded. The British lost 8 killed on the field, besides those killed and wounded 
in the boats. We took 15 prisoners, who were sent to Batavia. Capt. Saunders, of the 
British 49th, was wounded while stepping into his boat; he was conveyed to Gen. Porter's 
house. He states that Col. Bishop was badly wounded and carried into the boat, and says 
also, that several killed and wounded M'ere carried into the boats. On our side, Sergeant 
Hartman, Jonathan Thompson, and Joseph Wright were killed, and 5 wounded, 2 of whom 
were Indians. The Indians behaved well and committed no act of cruelty* They fought 



ERIE COUNTY. 145 

because they were friendly to the United States, and because their own possessions, which 
are very valuable, were in danger of invasion. They are opposed to crossing the river 
to fight, but are ready to meet the enemy at the threshold in defence of the country which 
protects them. Maj. King was at Black Rock overnight, and was present and assisted in 
the action. Two hundred regulars have arrived from Erie at Black Rock, where they are 
to be stationed." 

Fort Erie, about a mile S. from the ferry at Waterloo on the Can- 
ada side, was a post of much importance during the last war. After 
the battle at Niagara, the Americans fell back to Fort Erie, of which 
they had previously taken possession. This fortress is situated on 
the margin of the lake, at its outlet into the Niagara river ; being 
nearly a horizontal plain 15 feet above the level of the water, it pos- 
sesses no natural advantages. On the 13th of Aug., 1814, the British 
troops, having invested the fort, opened a brisk cannonade, which was 
returned from the American batteries. At sunset on the 14th, one 
of their shells lodged in a small magazine, which blew up without any 
injurious effects. The following account of the assault which took 
place a few hours afterward, is taken from " Perkins' History of the 
Late War." 

" Gen. Gaines, expecting an assault in the course of the night, kept his men constantly 
at their posts. The night was dark, and the early part of it rainy ; at 2 o'clock in the 
morning, the British columns, enveloped in darkness, were distinctly heard approaching the 
American lines. The infantry under Maj. Wood, and Captain Towson's artillery, opened 
a brisk fire upon them. The sheet of fire from this corps, enabled Gen. Gaines to discover 
this column of the British, 1,.500 strong, approaching the American left. The infantry were 
protected by a fine of loose brush representing an abattis bordering on the river. The 
British, in attempting to pass round this, plunged into the water breast high. ThS com- 
manding general was about to order a detachment of riflemen to support Maj. Wood, but 
was assured by him that he could maintain his position witliout a reinforcement. The 
British columns were twice repulsed, and soon afterward fled in confusion. On the right, 
the lines were lighted by a brilliant discharge of musketry and cannon, which announced 
the approach of the centre and left columns of the enemy. The latter met the veteran 9th 
regiment, and Burton's and Harding's companies of volunteers, aided by a 6 pounder, and 
were repulsed. The centre column, under Col. Drummond, approached at ttie same time 
the most assailable points of the fort, and with scaling ladders ascended the parapet, but 
were driven back with great carnage. The assault was twice repeated, and as often check- 
ed ; this column, concealed by the darkness of the night and the clouds of smoke which 
rolled from the cannon and musketry, then passed round the ditch, repeated their charge, 
reascended their ladders, and with their pikes, bayonets, and spears, fell upon the artillerista. 
Most of the officers, and many of the men, received deadly wounds. Lieut. McDonough 
being severely wounded, and in the power of the enemy, surrendered and demanded quar- 
ter ; Col. Drummond, refusing it, drew a pistol and shot him dead. In a moment after- 
ward, as he was repeating the order to give no quarters, Col. Drummond was shot through 
the heart. The bastion was now in the possession of the British. The battle raged with 
increased fury on the right ; reinforcements were ordered and promptly furnished from Maj. 
Wood's corps on the left. Capt. Fanning kept up a spirited and destructive fire from his 
artillery on the enemy as they were approaching the fort. Majs. Hindman and Trimble, 
failing to drive the British from the bastion, with the remaining artillerists and infantry, 
and Capt. Birdsall's detachment of riflemen, rushed in through the gateway, to the assist, 
ance of the right wing, and made a resolute charge. A detachment, under Maj. Hall, was 
introduced over the interior of the bastion, for the purpose of charging the British, who still 
held possession, but the narrowness of the passage, admitting only 2 or 3 abreast, prevented 
its accomplishment, and they were obliged to retire. At this moment, every operation M'as 
arrested by the explosion of the principal magazine, containing a large quantity of cartridges 
and powder, in the end of a stone building adjoining the contested bastion. Whether this 
was the effect of accident or design, was not known. The explosion was tremendous, and 
its effects decisive. The British in possession of the bastion were destroyed in a moment. 
As soon as the tumult occasioned by that event had subsided, Capt. Biddle posted a field. 
piece, so as to enfilade the exterior plain, and the salient glacis. Fanning's battery at the 

19 



146 ERIE COUNTY. 

same time opened on the British who were now returning. In a few minutes they were all 
driven from the works, leaving 222 killed, 174 wounded on the field, and 186 prisoners. 
To these losses are to be added, those killed on the left flank by Maj. Wood's infantry and 
Towson's artillery, and floated down the Niagara, estimated in the official reports at 200. 
The American loss during the bombardment of the ISth and 14th, was 9 killed, and 36 
wounded, and in the assault of the night of the 14th, 17 killed, 56 wounded, and 11 missing." 

The British troops still continuing their investment of Fort Erie, 
on the 17th of September a part of the American garrison made a 
sortie, and took the British works about 500 yards in front of their 
line. The British had two batteries on their left, which annoyed the 
fort, and were about opening a third. Their camp was about 2 miles 
distant, sheltered by a wood ; their works were garrisoned with one 
third of their infantry, from 1,200 to 1,500 men, and a detachment of 
artillery. 

" Early on the morning of the 17th, General Porter, with a large detachment, was order, 
ed to penetrate through the woods by a circuitous route, and get between the British main 
body and their batteries ; while General Miller was directed to take a position in the ravine, 
between the American lines and the batteries, and attack them in front. The advance of 
Gen. Porter's command consisted of two hundred riflemen, under Colonel Gibson. The 
right column, of 400 infantry, commanded by Col. Wood ; the left, under Gen. Davis, of 
500 militia, designed to act as a reserve, and to hold in check any reinforcements ^rom 
the Briiish main body. Gen. Porter's corps carried the blockhouse in the rear of the third 
battery by storm, the magnzine was blown up, and the garrison made prisoners. The 
leaders of the 3 divisions under Gen. Porter, all fell nearly at the same time ; Col. Gib- 
son, at the head of the riflemen, at the second battery, and Gen. Davis and Col. Wood in 
an assault upon the first. While these transactions were taking place in the rear of the 
enemy's works. General Miller in front penetrated between the first and second batteries, 
and aided by the operations of Gen. Porter in the rear, succeeded in canning them. With- 
in 30 minutes from the commencement of the action, 2 batteries, 2 blockhouses, and the 
whole line of entrenchments were in possession of the Americans; and immediately after, 
ward, the other battery was abandoned by the British. Gen. Ripley was now ordered up 
with the reserve, and at the close of the action, was dangerously wounded in the neck. 
Strong reinforcements from the British main body arrived while the Americans were en- 
gaged in destroying the works, and took part in the action. The object of the sortie being 
fully accomplii-hed, the American troops were ordered to return to the fort. During the 
action. Gen. Porter, in passing from the right to the left column of his detachment, accom- 
panied with only 2 or 3 officers, suddenly found himself within a few yards of a body of 
60 British soldiers, who had just emerged from a ravine, and were hesitaUng which way to 
go. The general immediately advanced, and ordered them to surrender; approaching the 
first man on the left, he took his musket, and pushed him towards the American lines : in 
this way he proceeded nearly through the whole company, most of the men voluntarily 
throwing down their arms, and retiring towards the fort : when on a sudden, a soldier, 
whose musket the general was about to seize, presented the bayonet to his breast, and de- 
manded his surrender. Gen. Porter seized the musket, and was about wrenching it from 
him, when he was seized by a British officer, and 3 or 4 men who stood in the ranks, and 
thrown on the ground. He succeeded in gaining his feet, when he found himself sur. 
rounded by 15 or 20 men, with their guns presented at him, demanding his sunender. By 
this time, several American officers with a number of men weie advancing to the scene of 
action. Gen. Porter, now assuming an air of composure and decision, told them they 
were now surrounded and prisoners, and if they fired a gun they should all be put to the 
sword. By this time a company of Cayuga riflemen had arrived, and after a momentary 
scene of confusion and carnage, the whole British party were killed, or made prisoners." 

The American loss was 79 killed, 432 wounded and missing. The 
British loss, as estimated by the American commander, was 500 in 
killed and wounded : 385 prisoners were taken, and their advance 
works were destroyed. On the night of the 21st, Gen. Drummond, 
after an investment of 56 days, broke up his camp, and retired to his 
intrenchments behind Chippewa river. 



ERIE COUNTY. 147 

Immediately after the unfortunate termination of the battle of 
Queenstown, Gen. Van Rensselaer resigned the command to Gen. 
Smyth, and retired from the service. Upon taking the command, 
Gen. Smyth issued two proclamations to the citizens of New York, 
one of which was an appeal to their patriotism, and calling upon them 
to join him in an expedition to conquer Canada and secure peace to 
the American frontier. This call was answered, and a highly re- 
spectable force assembled for the expedition. The result of this en- 
terprise is thus given in Perkins' History of the Late War. 

" On the 27th of November, 1812, the military force collected at Black Rock, under Gen. 
Smyth, prepared for the invasion of Canada, amounted to 4,500 effective men, consisting 
of New York volunteers under Gen. Porter, and regulars and volunteers from Pennsylvania 
and Baltimore : 85 boats were prepared for crossing the river, capable of transporting at 
once the necessary artillery and 3,500 men. On the night of the 27th, two parties were 
sent over, one under Colonel Boerlster, and the other under Capt, King, assisted by a com- 
pany of marines, under Lieut. Angus, to destroy the British batteries. They effectually ac- 
complished this object, routed the enemy, spiked their guns, and drove them from the 
shore. Capt. King, in attempting to return, was captured, with two boats belonging to his 
party. Colonel Winder, witli a party of 250 men, in attempting to land at a difficult point 
on the river, was prevented by the rapidity of the current, and obliged to return to the 
American side. The general embarkation commenced in the morning of the 2Sth, but 
was not completed until afternoon. They then moved up the stream from the navy yard 
to Black Rock, and were ordered by Gen. Smyth to disembark and dine. After dinner, 
the expedition was postponed to a future day. This attempt gave the enemy full notice of 
the plans of the American general. The two following days were employed in preparations 
for a second attempt. At 3 o'clock in the morning of the 1st of December, the embarka. 
tion commenced a second time ; the regulars on the right, Gen. Tanehills's brigade in the 
centre, and the New York volunteers on the left. Gen. Porter, accompanied by Majs. 
Chapin and Macomb, Capt. Mills of the cavalry, and Adj. Chace, with two pilots, took his 
station in the front boat, hoisted his flag, and advanced to the head of the line to lead the 
expedition. 

" The troops, in fine spirits and in eager expectation, awaited their orders from Gen. 
Smyth, when, after considerable delay, they were given, not to proceed to the Canada 
shore, but to disembark and go into winter quarters. Nothing could exceed the chagrin 
and disappointment of the troops upon this occasion; disorder and insubordination ensued; 
Gen. Smyth's life was threatened, and in imminent danger; the militia disbanded and sent 
home ; and Gen. Smyth, finding the Canadas were not to be taken by proclamation, and 
being disinclined to make use of more powerful means, retired from the service." 

Buffalo city is situated at the outlet of Lake Erie, at the head of 
Niagara river, at the mouth of the Buffalo creek, and at the western 
extremity of the Erie canal ; Lat. 42° 53' N., long. 2° west from 
Washington. Distant from Albany by the great western road 298 
miles ; by the Erie canal, 364 ; from New York, by Albany and Utica, 
445 ; by Morristown. N, J., Owego, and Ithaca, 357 ; from Rochester, 
73 ; from Niagara Falls, 22 ; from Erie, Penn., 90 ; from Cleveland, 
Ohio, 103 ; from Detroit, Mich., 290 ; from Toronto, U. C, 72 ; from 
Montreal, L. C, 427 ; and from Washington City, 370 miles. Buffalo is 
the port of entry for the Niagara district, including Silver Creek, 
Dunkirk, and Portland, and all above the falls. It is an entrepot for 
the great and growing trade between New York and a large portion 
of Upper Canada and the great west. 

Buffalo was originally laid out in 1801, by the Holland Land Compa- 
ny, on a bluff or terrace rising 50 feet above the water, and partly on 
the low and marshy ground extending from the terrace to the creek 
and lake. This marsh has been drained, and a large portion of the 



148 ERIE COUNTY. 

business part of the city lies upon it. The Erie canal from Tone- 
wanda village is continued along the margin of Niagara river and 
the shore of the lake to the city. A mole or pier of wood and stone, 
1,500 feet long, extends from the south side of the mouth of the creek, 
forming a partial breakwater to protect the shipping from the gales 
which are felt here. For the better accommodation of trade, a ship 
canal, 80 feet wide and 13 deep, was completed in 1833, across the 
harbor near the mouth of the creek, a distance of 700 yards. A light- 
house built of limestone stands on the end of the pier, 4G ieet in 
height. 

From the time of the foundation of this place to 1812, it increased 
slowly. In that year it became a military post, and in December, 
1813, every building in it was burnt save two, by the British and In- 
dians. Many of the inhabitants were taken prisoners to Montreal. 
The place was soon rebuilt, and by 1817, it contained 100 houses, 
some of which were large and elegant. It was incorporated as a 
village in 1822, and, in 1823, had the courthouse and jail, and upwards 
of 300 buildings. It had then felt in advance the influence of the 
Erie canal, and much improvement was made in anticipation of the 
completion of that great work. In 1829, it had 400 houses and more 
tlian 2,000 inhabitants. It was incorporated as a city in 1832, and 
contains at this time about 2,000 houses, and 18,041 inhabitants. 
There are 13 churches, viz: 1 Presbyterian, 1 Episcopal, 1 Free 
Congregational, 1 German Lutheran, 1 Unitarian, 1 Methodist Epis- 
copal, 1 Methodist Reformed, 1 Baptist, 1 Universalist, 2 Catholic, 1 
German Evangelical, and 1 Bethel, a literary and scientific academy, 
incorporated in 1827, 3 banks, 5 weekly and 2 daily newspapers, 
and many hotels and taverns required for the great concourse of 
strangers here. The buildings, public and private, are generally good, 
many of them four stories high, among which are fine specimens 
of architecture. An entei-prising citizen, Mr. Rathbun, during the 
year 1835, erected 99 buildings, at an aggregate cost of about 
$500,000 ; of these, 52 were stores of the first class, 32 dwellings, a 
theatre, &c." 

The foUowiing is a western view of the Seneca Mission church, on 
the Indian reservation, four miles from the main street in Buffalo. The 
church is somewhat on the congregational plan. This building was 
erected in 1829, almost wholly at the expense of the Indians. The 
Rev. Asher Wright is their minister, and resides a short distance from 
the church. In order to render himself more useful to them, he has 
acquired their language, as they are but partially acquainted with 
the English. They seem to be much attached to him. The Indian 
burying ground is about 25 rods north of the church. This spot is 
the site of an Indian fort, on which some vestiges of the wall are still 
remaining. The Senecas have a tradition that there was a great battle 
fought here against a hostile tribe ; that the bodies of the slain were 
collected, and burnt-sacrifices were offered, &c. This is strongly 
corroborated by the fact of human bones, those of animals, and corn, 
in a burnt state, having been dug up on this spot. Four or five graves- 



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ERIE COUNTY. 



149 




Seneca Mission House, Buffalo Reservation. 



only have monuments. The following inscriptions were copied from 
two of them. Red Jacket's monument was erected by some persons 
connected with the theatre in Buffalo : 

" Sagoyewatua, Keeper Awake, Bed Jacket; chief of the Wolf Tribe of the Senecas, 
the friend and protector of his people. Died Jan. 20, 1832, aged 78 years. Erected by — ." 

" In memory of ' The White Woman,' Mary Jemison, daughter of Thomas Jemison 
and Jane Irwin, born on the ocean between Ireland and Philadelphia in 1742, or '43, ta- 
ken captive at Marsh Creek, Penn., in 1755, carried down the Ohio, adopted into an In- 
dian family in 1759, removed to Genesee river, was naturalized in 1817, removed to this 
place in 1831, and having survived two husbands and five children, leaving three still alive, 
she died Sept. 19th, 1833, aged about 91 j'ears, having a few weeks before expressed a 
hope of pardon through Jesus Christ. The coimcil of the Lord shall stand." 

There are about nine hundred Indians on the Buffalo creek reser- 
vation ; of this number about six hundred and seventy-five are Sen- 
ecas, the rest Onondagas, Oneidas, Tuscaroras, a few Mohawks, and 
four or five Stockbridge Indians. They have eight peace and two 
war chiefs, who have a seat in the council of the confederated Six 
Nations. There are about ninety chiefs in the Seneca nation, per- 
sons authorized to sign treaties, &c. These chiefs preside over about 
2,400 Indians, who live on the Buffalo creek, Tonewanda, Allegany, 
and Cattaraugus reservations. Many attempts have been made, by 
treaty and otherwise, to get possession of the Indian lands in the 
vicinity of Buffalo. It is believed that the full extent of the bribery, 
fraud, and villany which has been practised upon the Indians, in 
order to make them sign treaties for their lands, will never be fully 
known. At present, only about one fourteenth part of the Indians 
are willing to remove. Whether the recent attempts of the land 
speculators to get the Indian territory into their possession will prove 
successful, remains to be seen. 

The following is an eastern view of the house of William Jones, and 
the cabin of Red Jacket, both situated about 80 rods from the Mis- 
sion church. The house of Jones, which is seen on the right, is a 
fair specimen of the better sort of Indian houses. It is said that 
Jones was offered ten thousand dollars b,* the land speculators, if he 



150 



ERIE COUNTV. 




House of Red Jacket, on the Buffalo Reservation. 

would sign his name to the treaty, conveying away the Indian lands. 
Although as anxious and diligent as most white men in the pursuit of 
wealth, yet considering it would be injurious to his Indian brethren, 
he refused the bribe. The cabin seen on the left, is constructed of 
hewed logs, and was the residence of the celebrated chief Red 
Jacket, during the latter period of his hfe. It stands back a few rods 
from the road, and is quite humble in its appearance. 

The following biographical sketch of Red Jacket is taken princi- 
pally from the 14th vol. of the New York Mirror, and partly from 
persons on the reservation, who were acquainted with the subject of it. 

Red Jacket was born in 1756. His birthplace is supposed to have been at a place for- 
merly called " Old Caste," about 3 miles west of Geneva, in the present limits of the town 
of Seneca. His Indian name was Sa-go-you-wat-ha, a word signifying one who keeps 
awake by magical influence. During the revolution, the Senecas fought under the British 
standard. Ahhough quite young, his activity and intelligence attracted the attention of the 
British officers. By them he was presented with a richly embroidered scarlet jacket. This 
he wore on all occasions, and from this circumstance arose ihe name by which he is known 
among the whites. During the revolution he took little or no part as a warrior, but his 
personal activity and transcendent talents won the esteem of his tribe. A gentleman who 
knew him intimately for more than 30 years in peace and in war, speaks of him in the fol- 
lowing terms. " Red Jacket was a perfect Indian in every respeci, in costume, in his 
contempt of the dress of the white men, in his hatred and opposition to the missionaries, 
and in his attachment to, and veneration for the ancient customs and traditions of his tribe. 
He had a contempt for the English language, and disdained to use any other than his own. 
He was the finest specimen of the Indian character that I ever knew, and sustained it with 
more dignity than any other chief. He was second to none in authority in his tribe. As 
an orator he was unequalled by any Indian I ever saw. His language was beautiful and 
figurative, as the Indian language always is, and delivered with ihe greatest ease and 
fluency. His gesticulation was easy, graceful, and natural. His voice was distinct and 
clear, and he always spoke with great animation. His memory was very strong. I have 
acted as interpreter to most of his speeches, to which no translation could do adequate jus. 
tice." 

The following interesting anecdotes are illustrative of his peculiar points of character, aa 
well as of his ready eloquence. At a council held with the Senecas, a dispute arose between 
Gov. Tompkins and Red Jacket, connected with a treaty of some years standing. The 
governor stated one thing, and the Indian chief insisted that the reverse was true. But, it was 
rejoined, " you have forgotten — we have it written down on paper." " The paper then 
tells a lie," was the confident answer ; " I have it written here," continued the chief, placing 
his hand with great dignity upon his brow. " You Yankees are born with a feather be- 
tween your fingers ; but your paper does not speak the truth. The Indian keeps bis 



ERIE COUNTY. 151 

knowledge here — this is the book the Great Spirit gave us — it does not lie !" A reference 
was immediately made to the treaty in question, when, to the astonishment of all present, 
and to the triumph of the tawny statesman, the document confirmed every word that he 
had uttered. 

It happened during the revolution that a treaty was held with the Indians at which La- 
fayette was present, the object of which was to unite the various tribes in amity with 
America. The majority of the chiefs were friendly, but there was much opposition made 
to it, especially by a young warrior, who declared that when an alliance was entered into 
with America, he should consider that the sun of his country had set forever. In his travels 
through the Indian country, when last in America, it happened at a large assemblage of 
chiefs, that Lafayette referred to the treaty in question, and turning to Red .lacket, said, 
" Pray tell me, if you can, what has become of that daring youth who so decidedly opposed 
all propositions for peace and amity ?" " I myself am the man," replied Red Jacket ; 
" the decided enemy of the Americans, so long as the hope of successfully opposing them 
remained, but now their true and faithful ally until death." 

During the late war. Red Jacket with his tribe enlisted on the American side. He fought 
through the whole war, and displayed the most undaunted intrepidity ; while in no instance 
did he exhibit the ferocity of the savage, or disgrace himself by any act of inhumanity. 

Red Jacket was the foe of the white man. His nation was his god ; her honor, preser- 
vation, and liberty, his religion. He hated the missionary of the cross, because he feared 
some secret design upon the lands, the peace, or the independence of the Senecas. He 
never understood Christianity. Its sublime disinterestedness exceeded his conceptions. 
He was a keen observer of human nature ; and saw that among white and red men, sordid 
interest was equally the spring of action. He therefore naturally enough suspected every 
stranger who came to his tribe, of some design on their little and dearly prized domains. 
His tribe was divided into two factions, one of which, from being in favor of the missionaries, 
was called thg Christian, and the other, from their opposition, the pagan party. His wife, 
who would attend the religious meetings of the Christian party, received much persecution 
from him on this account. During his last sickness there seemed to be quite a change in 
regard to his feelings respecting Christianity. He repeatedly remarked to his wife, that he 
was sorry that he had persecuted her, — that she was right and he wrong, and as his dying 
advice, told her, " Persevere in your religion, it is the right way .'" 

A few days before his decease, he sent for Mr. Harris, the missionary ; but he was at- 
tending an ecclesiastical council, and did not receive the message until afcer the death of the 
chief. In his last wandering moments it is said that he directed that a vial of cold water 
should be placed in his coffin, so that he might have something with which to fight the evil 
spirit. A considerable number of people from Buffalo attended his funeral, some of whom 
wished him buried in the ancient or pagan style. He was, however, interred in the Christian 
manner, in accordance with the wishes of his relatives. He left two wives, but none of 
his children survived him. Two of his sons are supposed to have died Christians. Rev. 
Jabez B. Hyde, a teacher to the Senecas before the war of 1812, states that one of the sons 
of Red Jacket was the first convert to Christianity from this tribe. 

For some months previous to his death, time had made such ravages on his constitution 
as to render him fully sensible of his approaching dissolution. To that event he often ad. 
verted, and always in the language of philosophic calmness. He visited successively all his 
most intimate friends at their cabins, and conversed with them upon the condition of the 
nation in the most aflecting and impressive manner. He told them that he was passing 
away, and his counsels would soon be heard no more. He ran over the history of his peo- 
ple from the most remote period to which his knowledge extended, and pointed out, as few 
could, the wrongs, the privations, and the loss of character, which almost of themselves 
constituted that history. " I am about to leave you," said he, "and when I am gone, and 
my warning shall no longer be heard or regarded, the craft and the avarice of the white 
man will prevail. Many winters have I breasted the storm, but I am an aged tree, and can 
stand no longer. My leaves are fallen, my branches are withered, and I am shaken by 
every breeze. Soon my aged trunk will be prostrate, and the foot of the exulting foe of 
the Indian may be placed upon it in safety ; for I leave none who will be enabled to avenge 
such an indignity. Think not I mourn for myself. I go to join the spirits of my fathers, 
where age cannot come ; but my heart fails when I think of my people, who are soon to 
be scattered and forgotten." 

At the time of the burning of Buffalo in the last war, most of the 
regular American troops were removed from the Niagara frontier. 
Gov. Tompkins, on being informed of this, ordered out the militia for 



152 ERIE COUNTY. 

its defence. On the 25th December, 1813, Gen. Hall had assembled 
at Black Rock and Buffalo 2,000 men. On the night of the 29th, 
the enemy were discovered approaching the American shore in great 
force. The militia were ordered to oppose their landing, but the 
main body fled on the approach of the enemy. Col. Blakesley's regi- 
ment, with other detached corps, amounting in the whole to about 
600 men, formed in a line, and poured a destructive fire on the enemy 
as they approached the shore. They were, however, overpowered 
by numbers, and forced to retire. Gen. Hall retii'ed with the remains 
of the dispersed militia to Eleven Mile creek, where he was able to 
collect only about 300 men to cover the flying inhabitants. The 
frontier presented one scene of universal desolation. " The misera- 
ble inhabitants who escaped the Indian tomahawk, fled into the in- 
terior, without shelter or means of support, in the depth of winter, 
and subsisted on the charity of their friends." The following, relative 
to these events, is extracted from an oflficial letter to Gov. Tompkins : 

" On my arrival at Batavia, I found that the inhabitants of that place, and the country 
west, as far as Buffalo on the main road, had, on receiving information of the landing of 
the enemy, fled and left their homes, but were generally returning. I proceeded to Buffalo, 
and found that flourishing village totally destroyed. The only buildings remaining in it are 
a jail, which is built of stone, a small frame house, and an armorer's shop. All the houses 
east of Buffalo on the Batavia road, for two miles, excepting log-houses, are also destroyed, 
and almost every building between Buffalo and Niagara along the river, had, I was informed, 
shared the same fate. The enemy had with him at Black Rock and Buffalo, a number of" 
Indians, (the general opinion in that country is about two hundred,) who pursued their ac- 
customed mode of horrid warfare, by tomahawking, scalping, and otherwise nnitilating the 
persons who fell into their hands. Among the victims of their savage barbarity, was a Mrs. 
Lovejoy, of Buffalo, who was tomahawked and afterward burnt in her own house. The 
conduct of these savages has struck the minds of the people on the Niagara frontier with 
such horror, as to make it absolutely necessary that a more efficient force than the ordinary 
militia of the country should be employed for its protection, to prevent its becoming en- 
tirely depopulated. There was, when I left Batavia, between five and six hundred militia at 
Williamsville and in its vicinity, under the command of Gen. Hopkins, and about the same 
number on the ridge road near the arsenal, under the command of Col. Hopkins. It was 
the intention of Gen. Hall, who was at Batavia, to make up the number at each of these 
stations to 1,000 men. There was also at Batavia about 100 regulars, under the command 
of Major Riddle, who had received orders to march to Williamsville." 

Brant, recently formed from Collins, is situated in the southwestern 
corner of the county, bounded partly on the S. by Cattaraugus creek ; 
centrally distant from Buffalo 26 miles. Pop. 1,068. 

Cheektowaga, recently erected from the southern portion of Am- 
herst ; from Buffalo, W., 7 miles. The line of the Buffalo and Bata- 
via railroad passes centrally through the town. Pop. 1,137. 

Clarence, organized in 1808 ; bounds since altered ; from Albany 
265 miles. Clarence, 18 miles NE. from Buffalo, has about 50 
dwellings. Pop. 2,271. 

CoLDEN, taken from Holland in 1827 ; from Albany 287, from 
Bufl'alo. SE., 21 miles. Pop. 1,085. 

Collins, taken from Concord in 1821 ; from Buffalo, S., 30 miles. 
Lodi village is partly in this town and partly in Cattaraugus co. 
(See Persia, Cattaraugus co.) A large portion of this town was set- 
tled by Friends. Pop. 4,227. Collins Centre and Carr's Corners are 
small villages* 



ERIE COUNTY. 153 

Concord, taken from Willink in 1812; from Albany 282 miles. 
SprinfTville village, incorporated in 1834, 28 miles SE.from Buffalo, has 
1 Baptist, 1 Methodist, and 1 Presbyterian church, a flourishing 
Academy, 110 dwelhngs, 7 mercantile stores, a large flouring mill, 
erected at the expense of $20,000, two woollen factories, &c., and 
about 700 inhabitants. Concord Centre and Waterville Corners are 
small villages. Pop. 3,004. 

Eden, organized in 1812; centrally distant from Buffalo, S., 16 
miles. Eden and Eden Valley are small villages. Many German 
and Swiss emigrants have settled in this town. Pop. 2,172. 

Evans, taken from Eden in 1821 ; from Albany 293, from Buffalo, 
SW., 19 miles. Jerusalem Corners and Evans are small villages. 
Pop. 1,822. 

Hamburg, taken from Willink in 1812 ; from Buffalo centrally dis- 
tant, SE., 10 miles. Hamburg, E. Hamburg, Water Valley, Whites 
Corners, and Hamburg on the lake, are small settlements. Pop. 3,734. 

Holland, taken from Aurora in 1818 ; bounds since altered ; from 
Buffalo, SE., 24 miles. Holland is a small village. Pop. 1,242. 

Lancaster, taken from Clarence in 1833 ; from Albany 280 miles. 
Lancaster, 10 miles E. of Buffalo, is a small village. Town Line, on 
the Lancaster and Alden line, is a post-office. Pop. 2,083. 

Newstead, originally organized by the name of Erie, as part of 
Genesee county, and taken from Batavia in 1804; from Albany 260 
miles. Akron, 24 miles NE. from Buffalo, and Fisher's Falls, are 
small villages. Newstead is a post-office. Pop. 2,653. 

Sardinia, taken from Concord in 1821 ; from Albany 273 miles. 
Sardinia on the Cattaraugus creek, 34 miles SE. from Buffalo, has 
about 50 dwellings. Pop. 1,741. 

Tonewanda was recently taken from Buffalo. It comprises Grand 
Island, in the St. Lawrence, and a small tract of the adjoining main- 
land. Pop. 1,250. Tonewanda village lies at the mouth and on 
both sides of Tonewanda creek, the portion lying on the north side 
of the creek being in Wheatfield, Niagara co. It is 16 miles SW. 
from Lockport, 1 1 N. from Buffalo, on the lines of the Buffalo and 
Niagara railroad and the Erie canal, which latter here runs in the 
Tonev/anda creek. Grand Island, called by the Indians Owanungah, 
in the Niagara river, commences about 5 miles below the termina- 
tion of Lake Erie, runs down 8 miles, and ends within 3 of Nia- 
gara Falls. Its breadth varies from 3 to 6 miles. Originally this 
with the small islands of Strawberry, Snake, Squaw, and Bird, be- 
longed to the Senecas, and were purchased of them by the state for 
$1,000, and an annuity of $500. " The state, in 1833, sold Grand 
Island to the East Boston Co., who have erected upon it, on the site 
of the proposed Jewish city of Ararat, opposite to the mouth of the 
Tonewanda creek, the village of White Haven, (named after Mr. 
Stephen White, who resides upon Tonewanda island nearly opposite,) 
where they have a steam grist-mill and saw-mill 150 feet square, with 
room for 15 gangs of saws, said to be the largest in the world, several 
dwellings, a building used for a school and church, a commodious 

20 



154 



ESSEX COUNTY. 



wharf, several hundred feet long, and a spacious dock of piles for 
storing and securing floating timber. The principal object of the 
company is to prepare timber for vessels on the lakes and the ocean, 
fitting the frames to the models given ; in which they avail them- 
selves, not only of their special resources on the island, but of all 
which the vast region around the upper lakes affords." The oper- 
tions of this company are at present suspended. 

" In 1816 and '17, a number of persons from the United States and Canada went on this 
island. They marked out the boundaries of their different possessions; elected magistrates 
and other officers from among themselves ; and gave out that they were amenable to neither 
government, but an independent community. After the question of boundary was settled, 
the state of New York passed a law to drive them oft'; but that was not effected till the 
severe measure was resorted to of destroying their houses, which was done by the sheriff 
and posse of Erie county. ' Grand Island was selected by Major Noah, (now of the city 
of New York,) on which to build a city, and establish a colony of Jews, with the view of 
making it the Ararat, or resting-place of that dispersed people. There it was anticipated 
that their government would be organized, and thence the laws would emanate which 
again were to bring together the children of Israel, and re-establish them as a nation upon 
the earth. The European Rabbi did not sanction the scheme, and it vanished as a day. 
dream of the learned and worthy projector." — Steele's Book of Niagara Falls. 

The monument erected by Major Noah is now standing. It is 
about 14 feet in height. The lower part is built of brick, — the upper 
or pyramidal portion is of wood, and the whole painted white. The 
following is inscribed upon the tablet, which faces the east. 



ARARAT, 

A CITY OF KEFUGE FOR THE JEWS, 

Founded by Mordecai M. Noah, in the Month Tizri, 5586, 
September, 1825, and in the 50th year of American 




Independence. 



Wales, taken from Willink in 1818; from Buffalo, SE., 20 miles. 
Wales, S. Wales, and Wales Centre, are villages. Pop. 2,441. 



ESSEX COUNTY. 

Essex county, formed from Clinton in 1799, was originally settled 
from New England. Its greatest length N. and S. 43, greatest 
breadth E. and W. 41 miles ; centrally distant from New York 271, 



* Trans. — " Hear, Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord." — Deut. viw 4. 



ESSEX COUNTY. 156 

and from Albany 126 miles. Pop. 23,620. The county is divided 
into 15 towns. "The surface of this county is decidedly mountain- 
ous, in which respect it bears a striking contrast to the St. Lawrence. 
In addition to this, it may be remarked, that the hills, as well as the 
mountains, are steep and abrupt, and almost uniformly present, on 
one side, a precipice nearly perpendicular. In this county there are 
no long and gradual slopes, or gentle risings towards the moun- 
tain summit, but they are always bold and dithcult of ascent. A sur- 
face of country thus characterized, combined also with great height, 
both of the general surface and especially of numerous peaks, alters 
to a very great extent its agricultural character. By this combina- 
tion, the mean temperature of the county is reduced so low, that the 
cultivation of some of the most useful vegetables is prevented, or they 
are crops so uncertain, on account of late springs and early autumnal 
frosts, that little inducement is held out for trying them even as matters 
of experiment. There are, however, some bright and favored places 
where most of the essential vegetable productions are raised, and even 
grow luxuriantly, as along the shores of Lake Champlain and the 
valleys of the upper Hudson." But the agricultural poverty of this 
county is amply compensated by her immense mineral resources. 
" Many years must elapse before a correct estimate can be formed 
in regard to their real extent and value. To say that there are here 
numerous beds of magnetic iron ore, would scarcely convey a true 
idea of the enormous deposits of that mineral which are found in 
various parts of the county. The ore is everywhere of sufficient 
purity for the manufacturer, and if only a small portion of it can be 
wrought, Essex must become one of the most thriving counties in the 
state." — State Geol. Rep. 

Chesterfield, taken from Willsborough in 1802. Pop. 2,697. 
Port Kent, a small village 25 miles from Elizabethtown, upon the 
lake, is the stopping place for the steamboats. Port Douglass, also 
upon the lake, is the shipping place for the Clintonville iron works. 
Port Randall is a village in the SE. part. Keeseville is a flourishing 
manufacturing village on the Au Sable river, which forms here the 
boundary line between the counties of Clinton and Essex. It is 21 
miles from Elizabethtown, and 16 from Plattsburg. There are 1 
Presbyterian, 1 Baptist, and 1 Catholic church, an Academy, 10 mer- 
cantile stores, 225 dwellings, the Essex County Bank, and 1,800 inhabit- 
ants. This place is now the centre of business for the great iron 
and lumber district of the Au Sable valley. A railroad 4^ miles in 
length connects it with Port Kent. Keeseville was originally named 
" Anderson's Falls," from a Mr. John W. Anderson, who settled here 
about the year 1813. At this time he was almost the only inhabitant 
in the place. In 1819, a post-office was established, and the present 
name was given to the village in honor of Mr. Richard Keese, a 
partner of Anderson's. The first clergyman was the Rev. Elijah 
Crane, a pious and devoted minister of the Methodist persuasion, who 
located himself here in 1825, and was very efficient in reforming the 
morals of the place. Near here is the High Bridge of Keeseville, on 



156 ESSEX COUNTY. 

the Au Sable river, which is one of the greatest natural curiosities in 
the state. 

Crown Point, organized in 1780; from Albany 100 miles; cen- 
trally distant SE. from Elizabeth 20 miles. Pop. 2,212. Crown Point, 
whence the name of the town and ancient fort are derived, is sit- 
uated at the NE. extremity, and is formed by an extensive deep bay 
on the west, skirted by a steep mountain, and on the north and east 
by the body of the lake. Fort Frederick, at this place, was built by 
the French in 1731. This fortress was a star work, being in the form 
of a pentagon, with bastions at the angles, and surrounded by a ditch 
walled in with stone. This post secured the command of Lake 
Champlain, and guarded the passage into Canada. It was through 
this lake, by the route of Crown Point, that the parties of French and 
Indians made their bloody incursions upon the frontiers of New Eng- 
land and New York. This fort was subsequently blown up ; and its 
site is now marked by a heap of ruins. This place being abandoned 
by the French, in 1759, to Gen. Amherst, fort Crown Point was after- 
ward erected, about a quarter of a mile from the shore, and has at a 
distance something the appearance of Ticonderoga. The walls were 
of wood and earth, 16 feet high, 22 thick, enclosing an area of 1,500 
yards square, surrounded by a deep broad ditch cut into granite. There 
were here a double row of stone barracks, and on the north, a gate 
with a drawbridge and covered way leading to the lake. These 
works and those adjoining, which were extensive, are now mostly 
heaps of rubbish. Crown Point fell into the hands of the Americans 
at the time of the capture of Ticonderoga, in May, 1775, but was 
evacuated the next year. The disastrous expedition against Canada 
was terminated near this place, by the destruction of the lake fleet 
under the command of Gen. Arnold, Oct. 13th, 1776. Arnold, on his 
retreat from Canada, on board his fleet, was pursued by the enemy 
so closely, that he was obliged to run his vessel on shore and blow 
up five gondolas. The British soon established themselves, with their 
army and fleet, at Crown Point, and strengthened the ibrtifications ; 
but ere long they abandoned the station and retired to Canada. 

Elizabethtown, settled in 1785, and organized in 1798 ; from Al- 
bany 126, from Lake Champlain, W., 8 miles. Pop. 1,061. Eliza- 
beth, the county seat, is a small village of 30 or 40 dwellings. About 
a mile SW. of the village is a detached mountain called the Giant 
of the valley, the summit of which is elevated 1,200 feet above the 
plain, and commands a very extensive prospect to the eastward. 
It embraces a view of the whole valley of Lake Champlain, compris- 
ing Plattsburg, Burlington, Vergennes, Middlebury, and many other 
villages. 

Essex, taken from Willsborough in 1805; from Albany 133 miles. 
Pop. 1,681. Essex village, handsomely situated upon Lake Cham- 
plain, has about 40 or 50 dwellings. About 12 miles NE. of Eliza- 
beth is the noted Split Rock. This curiosity is part of a rocky pro- 
montory projecting into the lake about 150 feet, and elevated 40 
above the water. The part broken off" contains half an acre covered 



ESSEX COUNTY. 



157 



with trees, and is separated about 20 feet from the main rock. The 
opposing sides fit the prominences of the one, corresponding with the 
cavities of the other. Through this fissure a hne has been let down 
to the depth of 500 feet without reaching the bottom. There is a 
third post-office called Wessex. 

Jay, settled in 1790, by emigrants from New England. "The 
Forks," Upper Village, and Jay ville, are manufacturing villages ; the 
latter is 20 miles NW. of Elizabeth, the county seat. There is a 
large quantity of iron annually manufactured in this town. Pop. 2,260. 

Keene, taken from Elizabeth and Jay in 1808 ; from Albany 138, 
from Elizabeth, W., 12 miles. The settlements at the " Flats" were 
commenced in 1797. and those at the "Great Plains," in 1804. 
Pop. 730. 







rf\ 




Adirondack Mountains. 

The Adirondack mountains, which are partially in this town, were 
comparatively but little known until explored by the state geologists. 
They named them from the Adirondack Indians, who formerly dwelt 
in this region. The group, as a whole, is more lofty than the White 
Hills of New Hampshire, though the main summit. Mount Washing- 
ton, exceeds the highest by 767 feet. Mount Marcy (named in honor 
of ex-governor Marcy) is the most lofty, being 5,337 feet, or 57 
feet over a mile in height. Large banks of snow have been observed 
on this peak as late as the middle of July ; and there is reason to be- 
lieve that ice is formed there every night in summer. 

Lewis, settled about 1800, and taken from Willsborough in 1805. 
This township has its surface much broken by high mountains. Iron 
ore is abundant. Lewis, 5 miles N. from Elizabeth, is the post vil- 
lage. Pop. 1,500. 

Minerva, taken from Schroon in 1804. Minerva Four Corners, in 
the SE., 92 miles NE. from Albany, 40 SW. from Elizabethtown, is 
the post village. Pop. 455. 



15S 



ESSEX COUNTY. 



MoRiAH, on Lake Champlain, taken from Crown Point and Eliza- 
bethtown in 1808; from Albany 114, from Elizabethtown centrally 
distant S. 10 miles. Iron ore of excellent quality abounds here. 
Pop. 2,595. This place was first settled about 1785, by William 
Mackenzie, Esq. Moriah, West Moriah, Port Henry, and Millbrook, 
are post villages. Pondsville is a post-office. 

Newcomb, taken from Minerva and Moriah in 1828 ; N. from Al- 
bany 120, centrally distant SW. from Elizabethtown 30 miles. Pop. 
74. The Adn-ondack mountains are partially in this town, Mount 
Marcy, the highest, being on the dividing line between this and Keene. 
Newcomb is a small settlement, centrally situated. 

ScHRooN, taken from Crown Point in 1804, Schroon, 30 miles S. 
from Elizabeth, Paradox, and Hoffman, are small post villages. Pop. 
1,660. 




Ruins of Fort Ticonderoga. 

TicoNDEROGA,* taken from Crown Point in 1804 ; from Albany 196, 
S. from Elizabeth 30 miles. Alexandria and Ticonderoga are thriv- 
ing villages ; the former at the upper fall, near Lake George, and the 
latter on the lower falls, near Lake Champlain, about one mile apart. 
Pop. 2,168. 

The above is a representation of the ruins of Fort Ticonderoga, 
the fortress so celebrated in colonial and revolutionary history. 
These ruins are situated on a peninsula of about 500 acres, elevated 
upwards of 100 feet above Lake Champlain, at the mouth of Lake 
George's outlet. This fortress was originally erected by the French 
in 1756, and was called by them Carillon, and was a place of much 
strength by nature and art, surrounded on three sides by water, and 
having half the fourth covered by a swamp, and the only approach- 
able point defended by a breastwork. It was, however, commanded 
by Mount Defiance on the south side of the creek or outlet, which, 



"* Ticonderoga is a corruption from the. Indian word Che-onderoga, signifying Twwy, 
probably in allusion to the falls on the outlet of Lake George. 



ESSEX COUNTY. 159 

towers 750 feet above the lake. It was on the summit of this moun- 
tain that Gen. Burgoyne's troops showed themselves on the morning 
of July 4th, 1777, with a battery of heavy cannon, which they had 
drawn up along the ridge during the night. The distance from the 
summit to the fort, in a straight line, is about a mile. The position was 
so commanding that they could count all the men in the fort, and 
fully justified Gen. St, Clair in ordering an immediate retreat of the 
garrison. Mount Independence, connected in history with Ticonde- 
roga, lies in Vermont, one mile from the fort on the east side of the 
lake. There are here also remains of military works. 

The following account of the defeat of Gen. Abercrombie before 
Ticonderoga, July 8, 1758, is from the 3d volume of Macauley's His- 
tory of New York : 

" The expedition against Ticonderoga and Crown Point was conducted by Abercrombie 
in person. In the beginning of July he embarked his forces, amounting to nearly seven 
thousand regulars and ten thousand provincials, on Lake George, on board of nine hundred 
batteaux, and one hundred and thirty-five whale boats, with provisions, artillery, and ammu- 
nition. Several pieces of cannon were mounted on rafts, to cover the proposed landing at 
the outlet of the lake. Early the next morning he reached the landing place, which was 
in a cove on the west side of the lake near its issue, leading to the advanced guard of the 
enemy, composed of one bafalion, in a logged camp. He immediately debarked his 
forces, and after having formed them into three columns, marched to the enemy's advanced 
post, which was abandoned with precipitation. He continued his march with the army to- 
wards Ticonderoga, with the intention of investing it ; but the route lying through a thick 
wood that did not admit of any regular progression, and the guides proving extremely ig- 
norant, the troops were bewildered, and the columns broken by falling in one on another. 
Lord Howe being advanced at the head of the right centre column, encountered a French 
detachment, that had likewise lost its way in the retreat from the advanced post, and a 
warm skirmish ensuing, the enemy were routed with considerable loss ; and one hundred 
and forty-eight were taken prisoners. This advantage was purchased at a dear rate. Lord 
Howe, and one other officer, besides privates, were killed. The former is spoken of in 
very high terms for his bravery.* Abercrombie perceiving the troops were greatly fatigued 
and disordered, deemed it advisable to fall back to the landing place. Then he detached 
Lieutenant-colonel Bradstreet, with a detachment, to take possession of a saw-mill in the 
vicinity of Ticonderoga, which the enemy had abandoned. This post being secured, 
Abercrombie advanced again towards Ticonderoga, where, he understood from the prisoners, 
the enemy had assembled eight battalions, with a body of Canadians and Indians, amount- 
ing in all to six thousand men. The actual number, however, was considerably less, not 
exceeding four thousand men, as was afterward ascertained. These, they said, being en- 
camped before the fort, were employed in making a formidable intrenchment, where they 
intended to wait for a reinforcement of three thousand men, who had been detached, under 
the command of M. de Levi, to make a diversion on the side of the Mohawk ; but upon 
intelligence of Abercrombie's approach,were now recalled for the defence of Ticonderoga. 
This information induced Abercrombie to strike, if possible, some decisive blow before the 
Junction could be effected. He therefore early next morning sent his engineer to recon- 
noitre the enemy's intrenchments ; and he, upon his return, reported that the works being 
still unfinished, might be attempted with good prospect of success. A disposition was 
made accordingly fur the attack, and after proper guards had been left at ihe saw-mill and 
the landing place, the whole army was put in motion. The troops advanced with great alacrity 
towards the intrenchments, which, however, they found altogether impracticable. The 
breastwork was raised eight feet high, and the ground before it covered with an abattis, 

* "This young officer was the idol of ihe army. From his first arrival in America, he had accommodated 
himself and liis regiment to the peculiar nature of the service. He cut his hair sliort, and induced Ihe regi- 
ment to follow the example. He fashioned their clothing for tl)e activiiy of service, and divested himself 
and them of every arlicle of superfluous baggage. When near Ticonderoga, major, afterward Ge[i. Putnam, 
witli about iOO men, advanced in front of liie army as a kind of scouling parly. Putnam endeavored to 
Iirevent Lord Howe from accompanying him, saying, 'My Lord, if I am Itilled, the loss of my life will be of 
little consequence, but the preservation of yours is of infiniie importance to this army.' The only answer 
was, ' Putnam, your life is as dear to you, as mine is to me: I am determined to go.' "They soon met the lell 
flank of the enemy's advance, by whose first fire his lordship fell."— Humphrey's Life of Putnam. 



160 ESSEX COUNTY. 

or felled trees, with their boughs pointing outward, and projecting in such a manner as to 
render the intrenchment almost inaccessible. Notwithstanding these discouraging diificul ' 
ties, the troops marched up to the assault with an undaunted resolution, and sustained a 
terrible fire. They endeavored to force their way through these embarrassments, and some 
of them even mounted the parapet ; but the enemy were so well covered, and defended 
their works with so much gallantry, notwithstanding their greatly inferior numbers, that no 
impression could be made ; the carnage became fearfully great, and the assailants began to 
fall into great confusion, after several attacks, which lasted several hours. Abercrombie by 
this time saw plainly that no hope of success remained ; and in order to prevent a total de- 
feat, sounded a retreat, leaving about two thousand men on the field. Every corps of the 
army behaved, on this unfortunate day, with remarkable intrepidity ; the greatest loss sus- 
tained among the corps, was that of the regiment of Lord John Murray." 

The seizure of the fortress of Ticonderoga, by Col. Ethan Allen, 
on the 10th of May, 1775, is thus related by Ramsay, in his history 
of the American Revolution : 

" It early occurred to many, that if the sword decided the controversy between Great 
Britain and her colonies, the possession of Ticonderoga would be essential to the security 
of the latter. Situated on a promontory, formed at the junction of the waters of Lake 
George and Lake Champlain, it was the key of all communication between New York and 
Canada. Messrs. Deane, Wooster, Parsons, Stevens, and others of Connecticut, planned 
a scheme for obtaining possession of this valuable post. Having procured a loan of 1,800 
dollars of public money, and provided a sufficient quantity of powder and ball, they set off 
for Bennington, to obtain the co-operation of Colonel Allen of that place. Two hundred 
and seventy men, mostly of that brave and hardy people who are called green mountain 
boys, were speedily collected at Castleton, which was fixed on as the place of rendezvous. 
At this place Colonel Arnold, who, though attended only with a servant, was prosecuting 
the same object, unexpectedly joined them. He had been early chosen a captain of a vol- 
unteer company by the inhabitants of New Haven, among whom he resided. As soon as 
he received news of the Lexington battle, he marched off" with his company for the vi- 
cinity of Boston, and arrived there, though 150 miles distant, in a few days. Immediately 
after his arrival he waited on the Massachusetts committee of safety, and informed them, 
that there were at Ticonderoga many pieces of cannon and a great quantity of valuable 
stores, and that the fort was in a ruinous condition, and garrisoned only by about 40 men. 
They appointed him a colonel, and commissioned him to raise 400 men, and to take Ti- 
conderoga. The leaders of the party which had previously rendezvoused at Castleton, ad- 
mitted Colonel Arnold to join them, and it was agreed that Colonel Allen should be the 
commander in chief of the expedition, and that Colonel Arnold should be his assistant. 
They proceeded without delay, and arrived in the night at Lake Champlain, opposite to Ti- 
conderoga. Allen and Arnold crossed over with 83 men, and landed near the garrison. 
They contended who should go in first, but it was at last agreed that they should both go 
in together. They advanced abreast, and entered the fort at the dawning of day. A sentry 
snapped his piece at one of them, and then retreated through the covered way to the pa- 
rade. The Americans followed, and immediately drew up. The commander, surprised in 
his bed, was called upon to surrender the fort. He asked, By what authority ? Colonel 
Allen replied, ' / demand it in the name of the great Jehovah, and of the continental 
congress,^ No resistance was made, and the fort, with its valuable stores and forty-eight 
prisoners, fell into the hands of the Americans. The boats had been sent back for the re- 
mainder of the men, but the business was done before they got over. Colonel Sclh War- 
ner was sent off with a party to take possession of Crown Point, where a sergeant and 12 
men performed garrison duty. This was speedily effected. The next object, calling for 
the attention of the Americans, was to obtain the command of Lake Champlain, but to ac- 
complish this, it was necessary for them to get possession of a sloop of war, lying at St. 
Johns, at the northern extremity of the lake. With the view of capturing this sloop it 
was agreed to man and arm a schooner lying at South Bay, and that Arnold should com- 
mand her, and that Allen should command some batteaux on the same expedition. A fa- 
vorable wind carried the schooner ahead of the batteaux, and Colonel Arnold got immedi- 
ate possession of the sloop by surprise. The wind again favoring him, he returned v/ith 
his prize to Ticonderoga, and rejoined Colonel Allen. The latter soon went home, and the 
former with a number of men agreed to remain there in garrison. In this rapid manner 
the possession of Ticonderoga and the command of Lake Champlain were obtained, with- 
out any loss, by a few determined men." 



ESSEX COUNTY. 161 

The following account of the evacuation of Ticonderoga by Gen- 
eral St. Clair, on July 6, 1777, and some of the events which follow- 
ed, is from the 3d volume of Macauley's History of New York : 

" From Crown Point, the British army advanced on both sides of the lake ; the naval 
force keeping its station in the centre ; the frigate and gun-boats cast anchor just out of 
cannon-shot from the American works. On the near approach of the right wing, which 
advanced on the west side of the lake, on the second of July, the Americans abandoned 
and set fire to their works, block-houses and saw-mills, towards Lake George ; and with, 
out attempting any serious opposition, suffered General Philhps to take possession of Mount 
Hope. This post commanded the American lines in a great degree, and cut off their com- 
munication with Lake George. The enemy charged the Americans, on this occasion, with 
supineness and want of vigor ; but this charge seems not well-founded ; they had not men 
enough to make any effectual opposition to the powerful force which threatened to enclose 
them. 

" In the meantime, the British army proceeded with such expedition in the construction 
of their works, the bringing up of their artillery, stores, and provisions, and the establish, 
ment of posts and communications, that by the fifth, matters were so far advanced as to 
require but one or two days more to completely invest the posts on both sides of the lake. 
Mount Defiance had also been examined, and the advantages which it presented were so 
important, that it had been determined to take possession, and erect a battery there. This 
work, though attended with extreme difficulty and labor, had been carried on by General 
Phillips with much expedition and success. A road had been made over very rough 
ground, to the top of the mount ; and the enemy were at work in constructing a level for a 
battery, and transporting their cannon. As soon as this battery should be ready to play, 
the American works would have been completely invested on all sides. 

" The situation of General St. Clair was now very critical. He called a council of war, 
to deliberate on measures to be taken. He informed them that their whole effective num- 
ber was not sufficient to man one half of the works ; that as the whole must be constantly 
on duty, it would be impossible for them to endure the fatigue for any considerable length 
of time ; that General Schuyler, who was then at Fort Edward, had not sufficient forces to 
relieve them ; and that, as the enemy's batteries were nearly ready to open upon them, and 
the place would be completely invested in twenty-four hours, nothing could save the troops 
but an immediate evacuation of the posts. 

" It was proposed that the baggage of the army, with such artillery stores and provisions 
as the necessity of the occasion would admit, should be embarked with a strong detach- 
ment on board of two hundred batteaux, and despatched under convoy of five armed gal. 
leys, up the lake to Skeensborougb, (Whitehall,) and that the main body of the army should 
proceed by land, taking its route on the road to Castleton, which was about thirty miles 
Boutheast of Ticonderoga, and join the boats and galleys at Skeensborough. It was thought 
necessary to keep the matter a secret till the time should come, when it was to be ex. 
ecuted. Hence, the necessary preparations could not be made, and it was not possible to 
prevent irregularity and disorder, in the different embarkations and movements of the 
troops. 

" About two o'clock in the morning of July the sixth. General St. Clair left Ticonderoga, 
and about three, the troops at Mount Independence were put in motion. The house which 
had been occupied by General de Fermoy was, contrary to orders, set on fire. This afforded 
complete information to the enemy of what was going forward, and enabled them to see 
every movement of the Americans — at the same time, it impressed the latter with such an 
idea of discovery and danger, as precipitated them into great disorder. About four o'clock. 
Colonel Francis brought off the rear-guard, and conducted their retreat in a regular man. 
ner ; and soon after, some of the regiments, through the exertions of their officers, recov- 
ered from their confusion. When the troops arrived at Hubbardton they were halted for 
nearly two hours, and the rear-guard was increased by many who did not at first belong to 
it, but were picked up on the road, having been unable to keep up with their regiments. 
The rear-guard was here put under the command of Colonel Seth Warner, with orders to 
follow the army, as soon as the whole came up, and to halt about a mile and a half short 
of the main body. The army then proceeded to Castleton, about six miles further — Colonel 
Warner, with the rear-guard and stragglers, remaining at Hubbardton. 

" The retreat of the Americans from Ticonderoga and Mount Independence, was no 
sooner perceived by the British, than General Frazer began an eager pursuit with his bri- 
gade. Major-general Reidesel was ordered to join in the pursuit with the greater part of his 
Germans. General Frazer continued the pursuit through the day, and having received in- 

21 



162 FRANKLIN COUNTY. 

telligence that the rear of the American army was at no great distance, ordered his men to 
lie that night upon their arms. On July seventh, at five in the morning, he came up with 
Colonel Warner, who had about one thousand men. The British advanced boldly to the 
attack, and the two bodies formed within sixty yards of each other. The conflict was 
fierce and bloody. Colonel Francis fell at the head of his regiment, fighting with great 
gallantry. Warner was so well supported by his oflicers and men, that the assailants broke 
and gave way. They soun, however, recovered from their disorder, formed again, and 
charged the Americans with the bayonet, when they, in their turn, were put into disorder; 
these, however, rallied and returned to the charge, and the issue of the battle became du. 
bious. At that moment. General Reidesel appeared with the advance party of his Ger- 
mans. These being led into action, soon decided the fortune of the day, and the Amer- 
icans had to retreat. The loss in this action was very considerable on the American side. 
Colonel Hale, who had not brought his regiment, which consisted of militia, into action, 
although ordered so to do, in attempting to escape by flight, fell in with an inconsiderable 
party of the enemy, and surrendered himself, and a number of his men, prisoners. In 
killed, wounded, and prisoners, the Americans lost in this action three hundred and twenty- 
four men, and the British one hundred and eighty-three in killed and womided." 

Westport, taken from Elizabethtown in 1815. Iron ore abounds. 
Pop. 1,932. Westport, a thriving village at the head of NW. bay of 
Lake Champlain, 8 miles east of Elizabethtown, contains about sixty 
dwellings. Wadhams Mills, on the Boquet, is a small village. 

WiLLSBORouGH, Originally organized as part of Clinton county in 
1788; since modified. Pop. 1,667. Willsborough, 2 miles from the 
mouth of the Boquet river, N. from Albany 138, and from Elizabeth 
E. 13 miles, is a manufacturing village, and has about 50 dwellings. 

Wilmington, taken from Jay in 1821 ; name and boundaries since 
altered ; from Albany 148, from Elizabeth NW. 20 miles. The 
White Face Mountain here commands a view of more than 100 miles 
in extent, including Montreal, Ogdensburg, and Lake Ontario. Pop. 
928. 



FRANKLIN COUNTY. 

Franklin county, taken from Clinton in 1808, is centrally distant 
from New York 287, from Albany NW. 142 miles. Greatest length 
60, greatest breadth 30 miles. The high northern latitude sufficiently 
indicates the rigors of the climate. The forests are very dense, con- 
sisting of trees of immense size. In the southwestern part are some 
lofty ridges of mountains, but of all the rest a large portion is rather 
level than hilly. The settlements are almost wholly in the northern 
part, extending about 15 miles S. from the N. line, and even here are 
sparse ; much the larger portion of the county being as yet covered 
with the primitive forests. The soil is a sandy loam, occasionally 
mixed with clay, stony, and the fields commonly among thrifty farm- 
ers are fenced with stones gathered from the surface. Some wheat 
is raised, but it is an uncertain crop, whilst grass, oats, barley, corn, 
&c., generally are very productive. No portion of the state is per- 
haps better adapted to the sugar-beet. Grazing and lumbering are 
the chief pursuit of the inhabitants, who find their market upon the 



FRANKLIN COUNTY. 163 

St. Lawrence river. Pop. 16,450. The county is divided into 13 
towns. 

Bangor, taken from Dickenson in 1812 ; distant NW. from Albany 
221 miles. Pop. 1,218; Bangor, 5 miles W, of Malon^, and W. Ban- 
gor, are post villages. The population is principally distributed along 
two roads about 3 miles asunder.known as the North and South streets. 

Belmont, taken from Chateaugua, in 1833 ; N W. from Albany 185. 
Pop. 470. Belmont is a small village, 12 miles SE. of Malone. 

Bombay, taken from Fort Covington in 1833 ; NW. from Malone 20 
miles. Pop. 1,446. The Indian village of St. Regis lies on the left bank 
of the St. Regis river, upon the northern boundary. The reservation 
of this tribe lies partly in this town and partly in Fort Covington, 
extending 3 by 1 1 miles. Hogansburg and Bombay Four Corners 
are villages. The present or late chief of the St. Regis Indians, is or 
was a descendant of the daughter of the Rev. John Williams the 
minister of Deerfield, Mass., who was with most of his family and 
neighbors taken prisoners to Canada in 1704. Mr. Williams was 
carried to Lake Champlain, and from thence to Montreal and Quebec. 
In 1706, a flag-ship was despatched to the latter place, and Mr. 
Wilhams and 57 other captives were redeemed and sent to Boston : 
all his children returned with the exception of his daughter Eunice, 
who, at the age of 10 years, was left behind. She adopted the manners 
of the Indians, to one of whom she was married, and became converted 
to the Catholic faith. Some time alter the war, she, with her husband, 
visited her relations at Deerfield, dressed in the Indian costumes and 
though every persuasive was in vain tried to induce her to abandon 
him and remain among her connections, she still persisted in wearing 
her blanket and counting her beads, and returned to Canada, where 
she ended her days. Her descendants still continue to visit their 
relatives in New England, by whom they are hospitably received. 
One of them, by the name of Eleazer Williams, has been educated by 
his friends in New England and employed as a missionary to the 
Indians at Green Bay. Mr. Williams some years since, when on a 
visit to Canada, found the Bible of his great-grandfather, the Rev. John 
Williams, with his name in it. He states, that when Deerfield was 
destroyed, the Indians took a small church bell, which is now hang- 
ing in the Indian church at St. Regis. It was conveyed on a sledge 
as far as Lake Champlain and buried, and was afterward taken up 
and conveyed to Canada. 

The first standard captured from the enemy in the late war wais 
taken at this place by Maj. Guilford Dudley Young, on the 22d of 
Oct., 1812. The following account of this event is extracted from 
newspapers published at the time. 

" Major Young, of the Troy inilitia, commandant of a detachment stationed at French 
Mills, on the St. Regis river, having received information that a parly of the enemy had 
arrived at the village of S;. Regis, and that more were shortly expected, formed a resolution 
to take them before they were reinforced. For this purpose, he marched a detachment, at 
11 o'clock on the night of the 21st of October, crossed the river at Gray's Mills about 3, 
and at 5 in the morning arrived within half a mile of the village unexpected by the enemy. 
Here the major made such a judicious disposition of his men, that the enemy were entirely 



164 FRANKLIN COUNTY. 

surrounded, and after a few discharges, surrendered themselves prisoners with the loss of 
5 killed. The result of this affair was the capture of 40 prisoners with their arms, equip- 
ments, &c., one stand of colors and two batteaux, without a man of our party being hurt. 
They got safe back to camp at 11 o'clock in the morning. The prisoners were sent off to 
Plattsburg. Maj. Young has thus had the honor of taking the first standard from the ene- 
my in the present war." 

From the Albany Gazette of January, 1813. 
" On Thursday, the 5th inst., at 1 o'clock, a detachment of the volunteer militia of Troy 
entered this city, with the British colors taken at St. Regis. The detachment, with 2 superb 
eagles in the centre, and the British colors in the rear, paraded to the music of Yankee 
Doodle and York Fusileers, through Market and State streets, to the capitol, the officers 
and colors in the centre. The remainder of the vestibule, and the grand staircase leading 
to the hall of justice, and the galleries of the senate and assembly chambers, were crowded 
with spectators. His excellency the governor, from illness, being absent, his aids. Cols. Lamb 
and Lush, advanced from the council chamber to receive the standard." Upon which Maj. 
Young, in a truly military and gallant style, and with an appropriate address, presented it to 
the people of New York ; to which Col. Lush, on the part of the state, replied in a highly 
complimentary speech, and the standard* was deposited in the council room, amid the loud 
huzzas of the citizens and military salutes. Subsequendy to this achievement, Maj. Youngt 
was appointed a colonel in the U. S. army. 

Brandon, taken from Bangor in 1828 ; centrally distant SW. from 
Malone 30 miles. The settlements are in the north part of the town. 
Pop. 560. 

Chateaugua, taken from Plattsburg and Champlain as part of 
Clinton county. Chateaugua Four Corners, 13 miles E. from Malone on 
the turnpike to Plattsburg, is a small village. West Chateaugua is a 
post-office. Pop, 2,820. There is in this town a cascade on the 
Chateaugua river of 90 feet perpendicular, over granite rock. Cha- 
teaugua was settled in April, 1804, by Benjamin Roberts, from Man- 
chester, Vermont ; William Bailey, Esq., and Mr. Nathan Beman, 
came about the same time. Mr. Beman acted as a guide in conducting 
Col. Ethan Allen into Ticonderoga. At the first settlement of this 
place, there were no other settlers in the limits of the county, except- 
ing a few Canadians at French mills, now Fort Covington. 

A skirmish took place in this vicinity during the late war, between 
the British and a portion of the American army under General 
Hampton, which was designed for the co-operation upon Montreal. 
The following account of this affair is taken from " Perkins' History 
of the Late War." 

* The standard is at present remaining in the capitol at Albany. 

\ This officer was a native of Lebanon, Conn. " After the war he entered the patriot service under Gen. 
Mina, and lost his life in the struggle for Mexican independence in 1817. The patriots, 269 in number, had 
possession of a small fort which was invested by a royalist force of 3,500 men. The sujiplies of provision 
and water being cut off, the sufferings of the garrisim and women and children in the fort became mtolerable; 
many of the soldiers deserted, so that not more than 150 effective men remained. Col. Young, however, 
knowing the perfidy of the enemy, determined to defend the fort to the last. After having bravely defeated 
the enemy in a number of endeavors to carry the fort by storm. Col. Young wa.s killed by a cannon shot, 
from the battery raised against the fort. ' On the enemy's last retreat, the colonel, anxious to observe all their 
moverr.en's, fearlessly exposed his person, by stepping on a large stone on the ramparts; and while conversing 
with Dr. Hennessey on the successes of the day, and on the dastardly conduct of the enemy, the last shot 
that w^■^s fired from tlieir battery carried off his head. Col. Young was an otJicer, whom, next to Mina, the 
American part of the division had been accustomed to respect and admire. In every action he had been 
conspicuous for his daring courage and skill. Mina reposed unbounded confidence in him. In the hour of 
danger he was collected, gave his orders with precision, and, sword in hand, was always in the hottest of the 
combat. Honor and firmness marked all his actions. He was generous in the extreme, and endured priva- 
tions with a cheerfulness superior to that of any other officer of the division. He has been in the V. S. 
service as Lieut. Col, of the 29th regiment of infantry. His body was interred by the few Americans who 
could be spared from duty wiih every pos^^jble mark of honor and respect; and the general gloom which per- 
vaded the division on this occasion was the sincerest tribute lliat could he offered by them to the memory of 
their brave chief.' —Barber's HUtorical CoUectunta aHd ^ntiqtutica of Omncclicut. 



FRANKLIN COUNTY. 165 

" On the morning of the 21st of October, 1813, the army commenced a movement down 
the Chateaugay. An extensive wood of 10 or 12 miles in front, blocked up with felled 
timber, and covered by the Indians and British light troops, impeded the progress of the 
army. Gen. Izard was detached with the light troops and one regiment of the hne to turn 
these impediments in flank, and seize on the open country below, while the army, preceded 
by a working party, advanced in a more circuitous, but practicable route. The measure suc- 
ceeded, and the main body reached the advanced posirion on the Chateaugay, on the evening 
of the 22d. The 2.3J and 24th were employed in getting up the artillery and stores. There 
was now in front of the army 7 miles of open country, at the end of which commenced a wood 
of some miles in extent, which had been formed into an entire abattis, filled with a succession 
of wooden breastworks, the rearmost of which was supplied with ordnance. The Indiana 
and light troops were placed in front, and a heavy force in the rear. On the evenmg of 
the 2.5th, Col. Purdy, with the light troops, was detached to gain the rear of this position, 
while Gen. Izard made a simultaneous attack in front. Col. Purdy was misled by his guides, 
the attempt failed, and the advanced corps retired, with a loss of 50 killed, wounded, and 
missing, to a position 3 miles in the rear. On the 28th, Gen. Hampton, under an impression 
that Sir George Prevost might be in the way of his further advance, fell back to his former 
position at the Chateaugay Four Corners," and immediately conducted his army back to 
Plattsburg for winter quarters. 

Constable, taken from Harrison as part of Clinton county in 1807 ; 
bounds since altered. Pop. 1,121. Constable is a small village 7 
miles N, of Malone. East Constable is a post-office. 

Dickenson, taken from Harrison (original name of Malone) in 
1808 ; from Malone centrally distant SW. 30 miles. Pop. 1,005. 
This town is about 50 miles long, N. and S., and 6 broad. The set- 
tlements are in the northern part. 

DuANE, taken from Malone in 1828 ; centrally distant S. of Ma- 
lone 20 miles. The post village lies in the N. part of the town, where 
there is a considerable quantity of iron and steel manufactured from 
ore in the vicinity. Pop. 324. 

Fort Covington, named after Gen. Covington, who was slain at 
the battle of Williamsburg in Canada, November 11, 1813; taken 
from Constable in 1817; from Malone N. 7 miles. In the Fork, 5 
miles S. of the St. Lawrence, is the post village of Fort Covington, 
formerly called " French Mills," which contains about 150 dwellings. 
Fort Covington of the late war was in this township. A large lum- 
ber business is here conducted by the way of the St. Lawrence. 
Pop. 2,098. 

Franklin, recently formed from Belmont ; centrally distant 28 
miles SE. from Malone. The post-office is at Merritsville. Pop. 192. 

Malone, taken from Harrison, and organized as part of Clinton 
county in 1805 ; from Albany 212 miles, from Plattsburg W. 51, and 
from Ogdensburg E. 70 miles. Pop. 3,229. Malone village, the 
county seat, is situated upon both sides of the Salmon river. This 
stream is here crossed by a stone bridge, having an arch of 97 feet 
span and a roadway of 70 feet above the original bed of the stream. 
This town was first settled by Nathan Wood, an emigrant from 
Vermont, who located himself about a mile north of the village. The 
following view was taken near Hosford's tavern, and shows the prin- 
cipal part of the village. The public building on the extreme left is 
the academy, the one adjacent, the Baptist church ; the steeple of a 
large cotton factory is seen near the centre of the engraving, at the 
foot of the hill, and the courthouse on the right ; the Presbyterian 



166 



FUIiTON COUNTY. 




View of Malone, 

church, a large and substantial stone structure, is not brought into 
this view, being at the eastern end of the village. 

During the late war, (Feb., 1814,) a detachment of British made an 
incursion into this place, and proceeded as far as Chateaugua Four 
Corners. They were commanded by Col. Scott, of the 103d British 
regiment, and numbered about 2,300 men, including many Indians. 
Hearing of the approach of the American troops, they retreate 1 in 
great confusion, though not without destroying the bridges in their 
rear. The whole party suffered severely in their retreat by a tre- 
mendous storm of snow and hail which prevailed at the close of the 
day, and lost upwards of 200 men by desertion. 

MoiRA, taken from Dickenson in 1827; from Albany 225, centrally 
distant W, of Malone 14 miles. Pop. 964. Moira is a small village. 

Westville, taken from Constable in 1829 ; from Albany 233. from 
Malone centrally distant NW. 9 miles. Westville is a small village. 
Pop. 1,033. 



FULTON COUNTY. 

Fulton county was taken from the northern part of Montgomery 
county in 1838 ; NW. from Albany 40 miles; length E. and W. 32 
miles, breadth N. and S. 17. The surface of the northern part of 
this county is hilly, with some ranges of a mountainous character. 
The Kayaderosseras range of mountains enters the county on the 
NE., but sinks to the general level in the town of Northampton. The 
county is well watered and contains several small lakes. It is divid- 
ed into 9 towns. Pop. 18,038. 



FULTON COUNTY. 



167 



Bleeker, taken from Johnstown in 1831 ; from Albany 53 miles, 
from Johstown N. 13. There are three inconsiderable settlements in 
the town. The soil is quite poor and covered with small evergreens. 
Pop. 346. 

Broadalbin, taken from Caughnawaga in 1793; from Albany 47 
miles, from Johnstown NE. 10. A settlement was made in this town 
in 1776, by Daniel Mclntyre, and a few other emigrants from Scot- 
land ; but it was broken up during the revolutionary war. Fonda's 
Bush or Rawsonville, 10 miles from Johnstown, incorporated in 
1815, has about 800 inhabitants. West Gal way and Union Mills 
are small post villages. Pop. 2,728. 

Ephrata, taken from Palatine in 1827 ; from Albany 58 miles, 
from Johnstown centrally distant W. 10. This town was settled in 
1724, by Germans. Pop. 2,009. Pleasant Valley, Ephrata, and 
Lasselsville, are small villasjes. 




Southern view of Johnstown. 

Johnstown, originally named Caughnawaga, was founded about the 
year 1770, by Sir William Johnson, who resided here during the lat- 
ter period of his life, essentially in the rank, and with much of the 
splendor of a nobleman. Sir William and his family, by various 
means, became possessed of vast tracts of valuable land in this section 
of the country, and had many tenants and retainers under them. 
Their great possessions, however, were confiscated during the revo- 
lutionary war, on account of their adherence to the British cause. 
The village of Johnstown is about 4 miles N. of Fonda, the seat of 
justice for Montgomery county, and 44 from Albany. The accom- 
panying engraving shows the appearance of the village as viewed 
from the first elevation south, on the road to Caughnawaga or Fonda 
village. The courthouse is the first building seen on the left with a 
spire ; Mayfield mountains appear in the extreme distance. The vil- 
lage contains a bank, an academy, 4 churches — 1 Presbyterian, I 
Episcopal, 1 Dutch Reformed, and 1 Methodist — and about 250 



168 



FULTON COtJNTY. 



dwellings. It is situated on a handsome plain, skirted on the N. 
and W. by Cayadutta creek, and on the S. by a hill of moderate ele- 
vation. It was regularly laid out by Henry Oothoudt, Jeremiah Van 
Rensselaer, and Christopher P. Yates, state commissioners, in 1784, 
and was incorporated in 1807. The village of Kingsboro is 4 miles 
NE. from Johnstown ; it has a Presbyterian church, an academy, 
and about 40 or 50 dwellings. This village has acquired some celeb- 
rity, as being the place where great quantities of dressed deer-skin 
gloves and mittens have been manufactured. The town of Johns- 
town was originally organized by the name of Caughnawaga in 
1 798 ; its territorial limits have since been much reduced. Pop. 
5,408. 




Johnson Hall, in Johnstown. 



The above is a southeastern view of the mansion-house built by 
Sir William Johnson, called ^^ Johnson Hall." This house, now oc- 
cupied by Mr. Wells, is situated about three fourths of a mile NW. 
of the courthouse, on ground gently elevated above ihe village. The 
hall itself is built of wood, but the buildings or wings on each side 
are of stone, pierced with loop-holes for musketry. When Sir Wil- 
liam occupied these buildings, he had them surrounded by a stone 
breastwork. While in possession of the Johnson family, this was a 
place of resort for the sachems of the Six Nations, and all the Mo- 
hawks repaired thither to receive their presents from the British gov- 
ernment. 

William Johnson was born in Ireland about the year 1714; he 
was a nephew of Sir Peter Warren, the naval commander who dis- 
tinguished himself at the siege of Louisburgin 1745. Sir Peter hav- 
ing married a sister of Chief-justice De Lancey of New York, pur- 
chased a large tract of land on the Mohawk, and about the year 
1734, sent for his nephew to come to America and superintend this 
estate. Young Johnson first established himself at the mouth of the 
Schoharie, afterward erected a house in the town of Amsterdam, 
and subsequently the hall at Johnstown. To fulfil the duties of his 
commission, he learned the language of the Indians, studied their 



FULTON COUNTY. 169 

manners and cultivated their acquaintance. His situation between 
Albany and Oswego presented a fine opportunity for trade, and he 
carries on a large traffic with them, supplying them with goods, and 
receiving in return beaver and other skins. By a course of sagacious 
measures he obtained an influence over the Indians greater than was 
ever possessed by any other white man. 

In 1757, Johnson was intrusted with the command of the provincial 
troops of New York, whom he led to Lake George, where was 
achieved the first victory gained on the British side, in the war com- 
mencing at that period. For this victory, towards which he did but 
little more than barely hold the place of commander-in-chief, he re- 
ceived from the house of commons £5,000 sterling ; and from the 
king, the title of baronet, and the office of superintendent of Indian 
affairs. In 1759, being at the head of the provincial troops employed 
under Gen. Prideaux to besiege Fort Niagara, he became, when that 
officer was killed, the commander-in-chief: by his activity and skill 
he defeated the enemy and obtained possession of the fort and garri- 
son. In 1760, when Gen. Amherst embarked at Oswego on his ex- 
pedition to Canada, Sir William brought to him at that place 1,000 
Indians of the Iroquois or Six Nations, which was the largest number 
that had ever been seen in arms at one time in the cause of England. 
" Sir William Johnson possessed considerable talents as an orator, 
and his influence over the Indians was not a little owing to the im- 
pression made upon them by means of his elocution He had 

wives and concubines, sons and daughters, of different colors." By 
Lady Johnson he had 3 children — 1 son and 2 daughters. His son, 
Sir John Johnson, took side with the British, in the revolutionary 
war, and became the scourge of the Mohawk valley. One of the 
daughters married Col. Claus, and the other Sir Guy Johnson. Sir 
William died suddenly, at Johnson Hall, July 11th, 1774, aged 60 
years ; and was succeeded by his son in his title, and also to his post 
as major-general of the militia. 

The following anecdote respecting Sir William, seems to evince, 
that in his dealings with the Indians, who have a good reputation for 
cunning, he was not outwitted. Hendrick, the chief of the Mohawks, 
was at the house of Sir William when he received several rich suits 
of laced clothes. Soon after, the chief came to him and said, " I 
dream." " Well ! what did you dream ?" " I dream you give me 
one suit of clothes." This hint could not be mistaken or well avoided, 
and accordingly Hendrick received a suit. Some time afterward 
Sir William meeting Hendrick, said to him, " I dreamed last night." 
Did you ! What did you dream V " I dreamed you gave me a tract 
of land," describing it. Hendrick at first paused at the enormity of 
the demand, but at length said, " You may have the land ; but we no 
dream again, you dream too hard for me" The tract of land thus 
obtained, is stated to have been 12 miles square, in the present county 
of Herkimer ; the title to it was confirmed by the king, and was called 
the " Royal Grant." 

The power which Sir William Johnson acquired over the Indians 

22 



170 FULTON COUNTY. 

descended to his son and to his nephew, Col. Guy Johnson, who suc- 
ceeded him in the agency of Indian affairs. As the family had de- 
rived most of their wealth and consideration from the crow*, they 
were, as might be supposed, devoted loyalists. In 1775, Gen. Schuy- 
ler prevailed upon the Indians to agree to be neutral in the coming 
conflict. It appeared, however, that the influence of the Johnson 
family prevailed with the Indians, and induced them to join the 
British cause. It also appeared that Sir John was fortifying his 
house and arming the Scotch Highlanders, his tenants and adherents. 
Congress having heard of these movements, sent Gen. Schyyler to 
disarm these persons, and take other measures to secure the tranquiUity 
of Tryon county. Schuyler set out on this mission with 700 militia, 
but before he reached Caughnawaga his force had increased to three 
thousand. At Schenectady a deputation of Mohawks under the in- 
fluence of the Johnsons met him, and with much artfulness endea- 
vored to dissuade him from advancing. On the IGth of January, 
1776, Gen. Schuyler despatched a letter to Sir John, requesting him 
to meet him on the morrow ; they accordingly met, and after some 
subsequent delay, he and the Scotch gentlemen agreed to make a 
delivery of the arms of the inhabitants. Sir John likewise agreed 
that he would not go westward of German Flats and Kinsland dis- 
trict, and that six Scotch inhabitants might be taken as hostages. On 
the 19th, Schuyler marched into Johnstown and drew up his men in 
a line ; the Highlanders were drawn up facing them, and grounded 
their arms. The military stores were surrendered : and this service 
being performed, Schuyler and the militia returned. It was found 
afterward that the Highlanders had not delivered up their broad- 
swords or ammunition. 

Gen. Herkimer was left by Gen. Schuyler to complete the disarm- 
ing of the hostile inhabitants. Sir John, notwithstanding his word of 
honor, continued his hostile intrigues with the Indians, and otherwise 
forfeited his promises. It was found necessary to secure him, and in 
May, 1776, Col. Dayton was sent on this duty. The tories in Al- 
bany gave notice to Sir John of his approach, and the knight and his 
followers fled to the woods, and escaped to Canada, arriving at Mon- 
treal after nineteen days of suffering and starvation. He left his re- 
sidence in much haste : an iron chest with the family Bible and papers 
were buried in the garden. On arriving in Canada, the baronet was 
commissioned a British colonel, and raised the regiment of tories called 
the Royal Greens. By his adherence to the British, his immense estate 
was forfeited, and this appears to have inspired him with implacable 
revenge. On Sunday, the 21st of May, 1780, at dead of night, Sir 
John Johnson, with a force of about 500 men, part of whom were 
Indians, made an incursion into Johnstown. He had penetrated the 
country by way of Lake Champlain to Crown Point, and thence 
through the woods to the Sacondaga river. The following account 
of tliis incursion is from a newspaper pubUshed June 15th, 1780. 

" By the latest intelligence from Schenectady, we are informed that Sir John Johnson, 
(who styles himself Lieut, colonel commanding the King's Royal Yorkers, in the parcels 



FULTON COUNTV. 171 

given to some of the prisoners,) on Lord's day evening, the 21st uh., made his first appearance 
at Johnson Hall, imdiscovered by any but his friends, who no doubt v^rere in the secret. 
On Monday, about daybreak, they began to burn all the houses except those of the tories, 
beginning at Aaron Putnam's, below Tripe's Hill, and continued burning to Anthony's 
Nose, or Acker's house, except a few which by the vigilance of the people were put out 
after the enemy had set them on fire. There have been burnt 33 houses and ouuhousea 
and a mill ; many cattle were killed in the field, and 60 or 70 sheep burnt in a bam. 
Eleven persons were killed. Col. Fisher [Visscher] and his two brothers fought with great 
bravery, when the two brothers were killed and scalped ; the colonel went up stairs and there 
defended himself, but being overpowered, was knocked down and scalped, on which they 
plundered the house, set it on fire, and then went off. The colonel recovering a little, though 
he was left by the enemy for dead, he pulled one of his dead brothers out of the house then 
in flames ; the other was consumed in the house. It is said that the doctors have hopes 
that Col. Fisher will recover. His mother had a narrow escape for her life, being knocked 
on her head by an Indian ; but she is like to do well. Capt. Hansen was killed by an In- 
dian, who had formerly been used by him with kindness, and professed much gratitude. 
Old Mr. Fonda was cut in several parts of his head with a tomahawk. Had it not been 
for the alertness of Mr. Van Vrank, probably more would have been butchered by their 
savage hands ; he alarmed the people along the way to Caughnawaga, who by crossing 
the river saved their lives. Having done all the mischief to the distressed inhabitants they 
possibly could, they returned to Johnson Hall in the afternoon ; when Johnson dug up his 
plate, and about sundown marched for the Scotch Bush, about four miles, that evening. He 
has 15 or 20 of his negroes who had been sold ; several of his tenants and others have gone 
with him. He has permitted some of liis prisoners to return on parole. His whole force 
when he landed at Crown Point, is said to be about 500 men, 200 of them British, part of 
his own regiment, and Indians. Capt. Putnam and four men followed them in their retreat 
four days, on their way to Lake Champlain. He saw him 24 miles from Johnson Hall. 
Some think they will take their route to Oswagatchie ; but this seems improbable, as they 
have not provisions sufficient with them. His excellency the governor has collected a 
body of militia to intercept their way to Lake Champlain ; a number have also marched 
from the New Hampshire grants for the same purpose : Col. Van Schaick, with 800 men, 
is in pursuit of him by the way of Johnstown. We hear that the enemy had their feet 
much swelled by their long march ; and being greatly fatigued, it is hoped our people may 
come up with and give a good account of the Lieut, colonel and his murdering banditti." 

In this incursion, Mr. Sampson Sammons and his three sons, all 
stanch whigs, residing in Jonu-stown, were captured by the enemy 
and their dwelling laid in ashes. The elder Mr. Sammons and his 
youngest son, a youth of eighteen, were released by Sir John, but 
Jacob and Frederick, the other sons, were taken to Canada and con- 
fined in the fortress of Chamblee. From this place they made their 
escape, and after a series of dreadful suffering, in their flight through 
the wilderness, arrived in safety among their friends. A long and 
interesting account of their adventures is given in Col. Stone's Life 
of Brant. 

" A singular but well-attested occurrence," says Col. Stone, " closes this interesting per- 
sonal narrative. The family of the elder Sammons had long given up Frederick as lost. 
On the morning after his arrival at Schenectady, he despatched a letter to his father, by the 
hand of an officer on his way to Philadelphia, who left it at the house of a Mr. Levi De 
Witt, five miles distant from the residence of the old gentleman. The same night on 
which the letter was thus left, Jacob dreamed that his brother Frederick was living, and 
that there was a letter from him at De Witt's announcing the joyful tidings. The dream 
was repeated twice, and the contents of the letter were so strongly impressed upon his 
mind, that he repeated what he believed was the very language, on the ensuing morning — 
insisting that such a letter was at the place mentioned. The family, his father in particu- 
lar, laughed at him for his creduhty. Strong, however, in the behef that there was such a 
communication, he repaired to the place designated, and asked for the letter. Mr. De Witt 
looked for it, but repHed there was none. Jacob requested a more thorough search, and 
behold the letter was fomid behind a barrel, where it had fallen. Jacob then requested 
Mr. De Witt to open the letter, and examine while he recited its contents. He did so, and 
the dreamer repeated it word for word." 



172 FULTON COUNTY. 

In the summer of 1781, another expedition was sent against Johns- 
town. This was conducted with so much secrecy, that on the 24th 
of Oct., the enemy, about one thousand in number under Majors Ross 
and Butler, were upon the settlement at Warrensbush before their 
approach was suspected. Col. Willet, who was at Fort Rensselaer 
about twenty miles distant, on hearing the news, immediately marched 
for Fort Hunter, which he reached early on the following morning 
with all the forces he could muster, being but 41G men in all. When 
he arrived here, he learned that Ross and Butler had the preceding 
day crossed the river some distance below Tripe's Hill, and arrived 
at Johnstown about the middle of the day, killing and taking the peo- 
ple prisoners, destroying buildings and cattle on their way. Having 
eftected the passage of the river, Col. Willet pushed on in pursuit of 
the enemy. Having ascertained their position, he detached Major 
Rowley, of Massachusetts, with part of his force, by a circuitous 
march, to fall upon the rear of the enemy while he attacked them in 
front, a short distance above the Hall. The battle became spirited 
and general, but the militia under Col. Willet gave way, and ran in 
the utmost confusion to the stone church in the village. Here the 
colonel succeeded in bringing them to a halt. But the defeat would 
have been complete, had not Major Rowley, at this period of the ac- 
tion, emerged from the woods and fell upon the enemy's rear in the 
very moment of their exultation at their easy victory. The fight 
was now maintained on both sides with obstinacy till near sunset, 
when Willet was enabled to collect a respectable force, with which 
he returned to the field, and again mingled in the fight. The battle 
was kept up till dark, when the enemy, pressed on all sides, fled in 
disorder to the woods — nor stopped short of a mountain six miles 
distant. The loss of the Americans in this conflict was about forty. 
The enemy lost about the same number killed, and about fifty pri- 
soners. 

"Major Ross retreated up the north side of the Mohawk, marching all night, after the 
battle. In the morning he was pursued by Col. Willet, but was not overtaken. The re- 
gion of country over which Ross retreated, after he had passed the settlements, lies twenty 
or thirty miles north of Fort Schuyler, and at that time was uncultivated and desolate. His 
army suffered much from hunger. — It was on this retreat that Walter Butler was killed : 
he was pursued by a small party of Oneida Indians ; when he arrived at West Canada 
creek, about 15 miles above Herkimer, he swam his horse across the stream, and then turn- 
ing round, defied his pursuers, who were on the opposite side. An Oneida immediately 
discharged his rifle and wounded him ; he fell. Throwing down his rifle and his blanket, 
the Indian plunged into the creek and swam across ; as soon as he had gained the opposite 
bank, he raised his tomahawk, and with a yell, sprang like a tiger upon his fallen foe. 
Butler supplicated, though in vain, for mercy ; the Oneida with his uplifted axe, shouted in 
his broken English, — ' Sherry Valley ! remember Sherry Valley ." and then buried it in his 
brains; he tore the scalp from the head of his victim still quivering in the agonies of death, 
and ere the remainder of the Oneidas had joined him, the spirit of Walter Butler had gone 
to give up its account. The place where he crossed is called Butler's Ford to this day." — 
Campbell's Annals of Tryon County. 

The following is a copy of a kind of diploma, in possession of the 
New York Historical Society, which it would seem the Johnson 
family were in the habit of giving to those Indians in whom they 
confided. In the vignette, a British officer is seen presenting a medal, 



FULTON COUNTY. 



173 



or something resembling it, to an Indian dressed in the aboriginal 
style, — the council fire, the pipe of peace, the chain of friendship, &c., 
are all represented. 




" By the Honorable Sir William Johnson, Bart., His Majesty's sole Agent and Superin- 
tendant of Indian Affairs for the Northern Department of North America, Colonel of the 
Six United Nations, their Alhes and Dependants, &c. &c. 

" To Whereas, I have received repeated proofs of your attachment to his 

Britannic Majesty's Interests and Zeal for his sei-vice upon sundry occasions, more particu- 
larly I do therefore give you this public Testimonial thereof, as a proof 
of his Majesty's Esteem and Approbation, Declaring you, the said to be a 
of your and recommending it to all his Majesty's Subjects and faithful Indian Al- 
lies to Treat and Consider you upon all occasions agreeable to your character. Station and 
services Given under my hand and seal at Arms at Johnson Hall the day of 17 

By Command of Sir W : Johnson. 



The following inscriptions are copied from monuments in the grave- 
yard in the village of Johnstown : 

" Sacred to the memory of the Rev. ^mo7i Hosack, D.D., minister of the Presbyterian 
church, Johnstown, who died May 19, 1833, in the 79th year of his age. He was born 
in Rosshire, in the north of Scotland, in March, A.D., 1755. He received a finished edu- 
cation in the University of Aberdeen, and completed his theological course in the semi- 
nary connected with that institution. As a man, he was judicious and prudent — as a Chris- 
tian, his conversation was in Heaven, and whatsoever things were true, honest, just, pure, 
lovely, and of good report, these were his — as a minister of the gospel, he was evangelical 
in his sentiments, circumspect in his walk, and watchful of the spiritual welfare of his 
people, of which he had the oversight for the extended period of 42 years. His death, 
which, though deeply and sensibly felt to be a great loss by all who well knew and rightly 
appreciated his sterling worth, was to him great gain." 

" This stone was erected by Anne McKenzie, in grateful remembrance of her affection- 
ate husband, Dugald McKenzie, who departed this life on the 7th of Sept., 1809, aged 
27 years and 7 months. 

No private interest did his soul invade. 

No foe he injured, no kind friend betrayed ; 

He followed virtue as his surest guide. 

Lived like a Christian, like a Christian died." 

" In memory of John Baptiste Vaumane Be Fonclaire, formerly a captain in the Martin, 
ique regiment, in the service of his most Christian Majesty, Louis the XVI., and for thirty 
years past a citizen of the United States, who departed this life 5th January, 1811, in the 
7l8t year of his age." 



174 GENESEE COUNTY. 

Mayfield, taken from Caughnawaga in 1793; from Albany 40, 
and from Johnstown, NE., 8 miles. Cranberry Creek, Mayfield, and 
Ricefield, are post-offices. Pop. 2,615. 

NoETHAMPTON, taken from Broadalbin in 1801. At the confluence 
of the Scandaga river and the Mayfield creek, lies the small village 
of " Fish House," v^^here Sir William Johnson had his sporting lodge, 
or summer retreat. Northampton, or Fish House village, 17 miles 
NE. from Johnstown, is a small village. There is here a splendid 
bridge across the river, costing about $60,000. Northville and Os- 
born's Bridge are small settlements. Pop. 1,526. 

Oppenheim, taken from Palatine in 1808; from Albany 63, from 
Johnstown, W., 18 miles. This town was settled in 1724, by Ger- 
mans. Its present inhabitants are characterized by the hardy in- 
dustry and frugality of that nation. Oppenheim and Bracket's Bridge 
are post-offices. Pop. 2,169. 

Perth, recently taken from Amsterdam, of Montgomery county ; 
it is 10 miles E. of Johnstown, and is the smallest town in the county. 
Pop. 737. 

Stratford, taken from Palatine in 1805 ; from Albany 63 miles. 
Nicholsville is a small settlement, 23 miles NW. from Johnstown, on 
the west line of the county. Pop. 500. 



GENESEE COUNTY. 

Genesee county was taken from Ontario in 1802, and has since 
been much reduced by the formation of several counties from it ; 
centrally distant from New York 321, from Albany 258 miles. This 
county pertains to the great plain of the west, and forms with Wyo- 
ming the highest portion of it. Upon the west, the streams run to 
Lake Erie, and on the east to the Genesee river : as in limestone 
countries generally, the streams are subject to much fluctuation. 
The soil is generally highly fertile, and produces as fine crops of 
wheat as any part of the state. By the recent erection of Wyoming 
county from the southern portion, this county is reduced to twelve 
towns, and a population of about 30,000. 

The following is a list of articles and rates of wages, taken from 
a history of Genesee county, pubhshed in 1804, by Robert Munroe; 

" Wheat from 62 cents to $1 per bushel ; corn, from 30 to 50 cents a bushel ; hay, 
from $G to $12 a ton ; butter and cheese, from 10 to 16 cents a pound ; a yoke of oxen, 
from $50 to $80; milch cows, $16 to $25; a pair of good working horses, $100 to 
$125; sheep, $2 to $4; pork, freshed killed in winter, $4 to $6 a 100 lb.— salted in 
Spring, $8 to $10 ; whiskey, 60 to 75 cents a gallon ; salt, $1 a bushel, weighing 56 lbs. ; 
field ashes, 4 to 9 cents a bushel : 600 bushels may be manufactured into a ton of pot or 
pearl ashes, which has been sold at market at $1.25 to $1.50 ; and some persons by saving 
their ashes, or by manufacturing them, have nearly cleared the cost of improving land. 



GENESEE COUNTY. 



175 



The wages of a laborer, $10 to $15 a month and board ; a suit of clothes, made from $4 
to f 5 ; a pair of shoes, $1.75 to $2.50. Store goods are sold at very moderate prices, the 
expense of carriage from New York to Albany being about $2 a hundred weight," 

Alabama, taken from Pembroke and Shelby in 1826 ; from Albany 
257 miles. The greater part of the town was in the Tonawanta 
Indian reservation, part of which was sold in 1827-8. The Indi- 
ans have yet here, and in Niagara and Erie counties, a tract of 
12,000 acres. Their village, containing about 300 inhabitants, is sit- 
uated in this town. Alabama post-office is 12 miles NW. from Ba- 
tavia. Pop. 1,798. 

Alexander, taken from Sheldon in 1812 ; from Albany 247 miles ; 
drained NE. by the Tonawanta creek. Alexander, on the Tona- 
wanta railroad, incorporated in 1834, has about seventy dwellings. 
Brookville is a small settlement, 6 miles south of Batavia. The 
Alexander classical school, in this town, was incorporated in 1834. 
Pop. 2,241. 

Batavia was organized in 1802; it has a level surface and is drain- 
ed by the Tonawanta creek. Batavia, the shire village, incorporated 
in 1823, is laid out upon a plat about 2 miles square. The village is 
principally built on a single street upwards of a mile long, on the 
eastern side of Tonawanta creek, distant from Albany 244 miles, 
Buffalo 40, Rochester 34, Canandaigua 49, Genesee 29, Lockport 32 
miles. Population of the town, 4,219. A railroad connects Batavia 
with Rochester. 




Western view of the central part of Batavia. 

The above is a western view of the central part of Batavia, as 
seen from the bridge over the Tonawanta creek, about 40 rods NW. 
from the courthouse seen in the central part of the engraving. The 
village consists of about 300 dwellings, many of which are finely 
constructed of brick. The spire of the Presbyterian church is seen 
on the left, the tower of the Episcopal on the right. The state arse- 
nal is about a mile NW. of the courthouse. There are in the village. 



176 



GENESEE COUNTY. 



1 bank, and 2 printing offices, and the office of the Holland Land Com- 
pany. Dr. Dwight, who on his visit to Niagara Falls passed through 
Batavia in Oct., 1804, states that at that time it contained "from 20 
to 30 houses ; a considerable number of them built of logs ; the rest 
small, and chiefly of one story. The courthouse, a well-looking 
structure, has three stories, the second of which is the county jail." 
He also says, " in the season when we were on the ground, so many 
persons were ill of the diseases common to this region, that those who 
remained well, were scarcely able to nurse the sick." 




Office of the Holland Land Company. 

The above is an eastern view of the office of the Holland Land 
Company in Batavia, about 80 rods northward from the courthouse. 
The state of New York, in 1786, granted the state of Massachusetts 
more than six million acres of her western territory, [see page 40,] 
which that state sold to Oliver Phelps and Nathaniel Gorham, for one 
million of dollars. These gentlemen soon after extinguished the In- 
dian title to a part of this territory ; they surveyed it into tracts, 
denominated ranges and townships, and sold large parcels to specu- 
lators and actual settlers. In 1790, they sold nearly the whole of 
the residue of the survey, 1,204,000 acres, to Robert Morris, of Pliila- 
delphia, for eight pence the acre, who resold it to Sir William Pult- 
ney. Phelps and Gorham being unable to fulfil their contract in full 
with Massachusetts, compromised and surrendered that part of the 
land to which the Indian title was unextinguished ; in consideration 
of which, the state relinquished two thirds of the contract price. In 
1796, Robert Morris purchased from the state this portion also — ex- 
tinguished the Indian title — sold off several large tracts upon the east 
side, and along the Genesee, and mortgaged the residue to Wilhem 
Willink, of Amsterdam, and 1 1 associates, called the " Holland Land 
Company." This company, by the foreclosure of the mortgage, ac- 
quired full title to the land, surveyed it, and opened their first land- 
office in Batavia in 1801. "Having sold a large proportion of the 
country, they, in 1805, conveyed the residue of the wild lands to 
several companies, who have undertaken to retail them." 



GENESEE COUNTY. 177 

" The Holland purchase was bounded on the east by a transit 
meridian line due north from latitude 42°, embracing the two west- 
ern ranges of the county of Allegany, and with an offset, west, of 
two and a quarter miles, extending north to Lake Ontario, on the 
west line of Murraytown, Orleans county — two fifths of Allegany 
county, the greater portion of Genesee and Orleans counties, and 
all of Niagara, Erie, Chatauque and Cattaraugus," with the exception 
of some small Indian reservations. 

Batavia has acquired celebrity from its being the place from which 
William Morgan was abducted in 1826, for attempting to reveal the 
secrets oi free masonry. Morgan, it appears, was born in 1774, in 
Culpepper county, Va. His occupation was originally that of a 
bricklayer and stone mason. He removed from Virginia in 1821, 
and went to York, U. C. ; from thence he removed to Rochester. 
From various misfortunes, he became quite reduced in his circum- 
stances, and in the summer of 1826 he resided in the village of Bata- 
via. While here, he became connected with D. C. Miller, a printer, 
for the purpose of publishing a work disclosing masonic obligations, 
secret signs, &c. Morgan, it appears, was a royal arch mason ; and 
when the fact became known that he was preparing a work to reveal 
the secrets of masonry, many of the masonic fraternity became much 
excited, and appeared determined to put an end to his disclosures. 
For this purpose, his character was assailed in the public prints. In 
July, 1826, Morgan was arrested on a civil suit at Batavia, and gave 
bail ; he was afterward arrested and hurried to jail, without time 
being given him to procure bail, and search was made at his lodgings 
for his papers on some pretended process, the sheriff in the mean 
time absenting himself An attempt was afterward made to burn 
down Miller's printing office, where " Morgan's Book" was print- 
ing. 

On Sunday, Sept. 10th, application was made to J. Chipman, Esq., 
a magistrate of Canandaigua, for a warrant to apprehend Morgan for 
stealing a shirt and cravat, which it appeared afterward he had only 
borrowed. The warrant being issued, the constable at Canandaigua, 
attended by five other persons from that place, immediately set out 
for Batavia, where they arrived in the evening. Early the next 
morning, (Monday,) Morgan was arrested and taken to the public 
house where the party had slept ; an extra stage-coach was procured, 
and the party left Batavia for Canandaigua, with Morgan in their cus- 
tody. Miller attempted to procure the release of Morgan just as the 
carriage was starting, but he was pushed aside, and the driver was 
urged to drive fast till he should get out of the county. Having 
arrived in Canandaigua, Morgan in the evening was taken before the 
magistrate who had issued the warrant, and was by him examined 
and discharged. One of the party then immediately applied to the 
same magistrate for a warrant against Morgan for a debt of about 
$2, which he said had been assigned to him by a tavern keeper. 
Judgment was entered against Morgan for $2.69, debt and costs, 
and an execution immediately issued. Morgan took off his coat, and 

23 



178 GENESEE COUNTV. 

offered it to the constable to levy upon for the debt. The constable 
declined receiving it, and Morgan was committed to the Canandaigua 
jail the same evening, where he remained till the evening of the next 
day. 

On the 12th of Sept., about 9 o'clock in the evening, the wife of the 
jailer, at the request of the plaintiff in the execution, consented to let 
Morgan out of the prison. As he was leaving the jail steps, he was 
violently seized by two persons ; he struggled, and cried " murder," 
a number of times. Two other persons now came up, one of whom 
stopped Morgan's outcry by thrusting a handkerchief, or something 
similar, into his mouth. At a signal given by one of the party, a two- 
horse carriage now drove up ; two of the party thrust Morgan into 
the carriage, and then got in themselves. This carriage arrived in 
Rochester about day-dawn the next morning. Another carriage 
was procured, and relays of horses were obtained. When the party 
arrived at New Fane, about 3 miles from Lockport, they sent to the 
sheriff of Niagara county, to assist them in getting Morgan into 
Canada. The sheriff accordingly left Lockport, attended the party, 
and assisted them in procuring horses, &c. They arrived at Lewis- 
ton about midnight ; here another carriage was procured, and the 
party was driven to the burying ground near Fort Niagara. Here 
they left the carriage and proceeded with Morgan in their custody to 
the ferry, and crossed over to the Canada side. After conferring with 
a number of persons in Niagara village, Morgan was brought back, 
as arrangements had not been completed for his reception. This 
event it appears had been anticipated. Morgan was taken to the 
magazine of Fort Niagara, and locked in before day-dawn, on the 
morning of the 14th of September. 

On the day that Morgan was put into the magazine, a royal arch 
chapter was installed at Lewiston, which event called together a 
considerable assemblage of masons from the vicinity. " In the even- 
ing, 20 or 30 persons came to the fort from Lewiston. About mid- 
night, 7 persons, stated to be royal arch masons, held a consultation 
on the plain near the graveyard, as to the manner in which Morgan 
should be disposed of The prevailing opinion among them appeared 
to be, that Morgan had forfeited his life for a breach of his masonic 
obligations, and that they ought to see the penalty executed by 
drowning him in the river ; some of the company discovering a re- 
luctance to go to such lengths, the project was abandoned at that time. 
On the night of the 15th, a similar consultation was held between 
four persons, but nothing was decided on. " As to the disposition of 
Morgan, after the evening of the 14th of September, nothing has yet 
been known judicially, but circumstances are strong, to induce the 
belief that he was put to death on the night of the 19th of Sept., 
182G, by being cast into the depths of Niagara river."* 

Bergen, taken from Murray in 1818 ; bounds since altered. Ber- 

* Report of Mr. Whittlesey and others, at the United States anti-masonic convention, 
held at Philadelphia, Sept. lltli, 1830. 



GENESEE COUNT r. 



179 



gen is a small village, 16 miles NE. from Batavia. North Bergen 
and Stone Church are post-offices. Pop. 1,835. 

Bethany, taken from Batavia in 1812 ; from Albany 241 miles. 
Bethany, 8 miles SE., Linden 10 miles S. from Batavia, Bennet's 
Settlement, and East Bethany, are small villages. Pop. 2,288. The 
Genesee Manual Labor Seminary, in this town, was incorporated in 
1832 — capital $20,000, with a farm annexed. 

BvRON, taken from Bergen in 1820; from Albany 247, from Ba- 
tavia, NE., 10 miles. Byron and South Byron are small villages, — 
the latter of which is on the line of the Batavia and Rochester rail- 
road. Pop. 1,908. In the SW. part of the town, sulphuric acid is 
produced in great quantities in a diluted and concentrated state, in a 
hillock 230 feet long and 100 broad, elevated 5 feet above the plain. 

Darien, taken from Pembroke in 1832 ; from Albany 255 miles. 
Darien, 13 miles SW. from Batavia, and Danen Centre, are small 
villages. Pop. 2,406. 

Elba, taken from Batavia in 1820 ; from Albany 250 miles. Pine 
Hill, 6 miles N. from Batavia, Oakfield, and Careysville, are small 
villages. Pop. 3,161. 




Eastern view of Le Roy Village. 

Le Roy, named after Mr. Jacob Le Roy, a French gentleman from 
Paris, who was a large proprietor, was taken from Caledonia in 1812, 
and organized by the name of Bellona ; from Albany 234 miles. Le 
Roy village was founded in 1810, by Mr. Le Roy, and incorporated 
in 1834. It contains 1 Episcopal, 1 Baptist, 1 Methodist, and 1 Pres- 
byterian church, and about 260 dwellings, surrounded by ample lots 
and of very neat appearance. The annexed view was taken on the 
eastern bank of Allen's creek, near the Baptist church. The fall in 
the creek here, and in the vicinity, is considerable. At the village it 
is iS feet; within a mile is another fall of 27, and within 2 miles a. 



180 GENESEE COUNTY. 

third of 80 feet. South Le Roy is a small settlement, 12 miles from 
Batavia. Pop. 4,335. 

Pavilion, organized in 1841. This township comprises the north- 
ern part of the original town of Covington, now in Wyoming county. 
Pavilion is a small village, 1 1 miles SE. from Batavia. 

Pembroke, taken from Batavia in 1812; bounds since altered; 
from Albany 257 miles. Richville, 14 miles W. from Batavia, and 
Corfu, are small villages. East Pembroke is a post-office. Pop. 

Dr. D wight, who travelled through this town in Oct., 1804, notices 
the circumstance of his passing, when in this part of the state, through 
oak plains or openings. These grounds are described as having a 
varied surface, and in a great degree destitute of forests, but covered 
with grass, weeds, and shrubs of various kinds : he supposes these 
openings to have been caused by the Indians burning them over, to 
produce pasture for deer. The following is extracted from the 4th 
vol. of his Travels. 

" When one of these plains is seen at a little distance, a traveller emerging from the forest 
naturally concludes, that it is the commencement of a settled country, and as he advances 
towards it, is instinctively led to cast his eye forward to find the village of which it is the 
outskirt. From this impression his mind will be unable to free itself: for the thought, 
though given up, will recur again and again, in spite of his absolute conviction that he is 
in the heart of an immense wilderness. At the same time a sense of stillness and solitude, 
a feeling of absolute retirement from the world, deeper and more affecting than any which 
he has even suspected before, will be forced upon him while he is roving over one of these 
sequestered regions. No passage out of them is presented to his eye. Yet though the 
tract around him is seemingly bounded everywhere, the boundary is everywhere obscure ; 
being formed by trees thinly dispersed, and retired beyond each other, at such distances, as 
that while in many places they actually limit the view, they appear rather to border dim, 
indistinct openings into other tracts of country. Thus he always feels the limit to be un- 
certain ; and until he is actually leaving one of these plains, will continually expect to find 
a part of the expansion still spreading beyond the reach of his eye. At every little distance, 
especially on the higher grounds, the view is widely, though indefinitely extended along the 
surface ; and a little above where he looks through the stems of the trees, is bounded only 
by the horizon. On every side a multitude of chasms conduct his eye beyond the labyrinth 
by which he is surrounded ; and present an imaginary passage back into the world, from 
which he is withdrawn; bewildering him with expectation, continually awakened to be 
continually disappointed. Thus in a kind of wild, romantic rapture, he wanders over these 
plains, with emotions similar to those with which, when a child, he roamed through the 
wilderness created in Arabian tales, or the imaginary regions spread before him in a dream. 
He is not only separated from all human beings, but is every moment conscious of this 
separation. Whenever he ascends one of the superior elevations, he seems to stand above 
the rest of the globe. On every side he looks downward ; and beholds a prospect with 
many vistas, opening indeed around him, but conducting his eye to no definite object, and 
losing it in confusion and obscurity. His view is confined by neither forests nor moun- 
tains : while yet trees in a thin dispersion partly interrupt it ; but at the same time discover, 
through their various openings, that it has no other limitation than the skirts of the heav- 
ens. — While he wanders on through this bewildering scenery, he cannot fail to remember, 
that on these plains Indians have lived, and roved, and hunted, and fought, ever since their 
first arrival from the shores of Asia. Here, unless they molested each other, there was 
nothing to molest them. They were the sole lords, the undisturbed possessors of the 
country. Here, therefore, he will call up before his imagination the secret windings of the 
scout ; the burst of the war-hoop ; the fury of an Indian onset ; the triumphant display of 
scalps ; and the horrors of the war-dance before the tortured and expiring captive. Whether 
these thoughts will be excited in the mind of any future traveller, I know not : in my own 
they sprang up instinctively." 

Stafford, taken from Batavia and Le Roy in 1820 ; from Albany 
238 miles. Stafford Centre, 6 miles E. from Batavia, Morgansville 
7, and Roanoke 9 miles, are small villages. Pop. 2,560. 



I 

GREENE COUNTY. 181 



GREENE COUNTY. 



Greene county, on the west side of the Hudson river, was taken 
from Ulster and Albany counties in 1800 ; greatest length 42 miles ; 
greatest breadth on the Hudson 28 miles ; centrally distant from 
New York 130, and from Albany 35 miles. The surface is every- 
where hilly, and the larger portion mountainous. The Cattskill 
mountains, after following the southern boundary of the county in an 
easterly direction to the southeast angle, turn north and northwest, 
and pass nearly through the centre of the county into Schoharie. 
The general elevation of this range is from 2,000 to 2,500 feet above 
the adjacent country ; while many of the peaks are elevated from 
3,000 to 3,800 feet above the level of the Hudson. Round Top has 
an elevation of 3,718 feet. High Peak 3,804, and Pine Orchard 3,000 
feet. The whole southwestern part of the county is hilly and moun- 
tainous, yet it affords a fine soil for pastures, with some arable land. 
The northeastern and eastern parts of the county are less hilly, and 
have many valleys, rich and extensive. Much attention is paid to 
agriculture, and more leather is manufactured in this than in any other 
county in the state. The county was originally settled by the Dutch. 
A large proportion, however, of the present inhabitants are of New 
England descent, and are noted for morahty and industry. Pop. 
30,446. The county is divided into eleven towns. 

Athens was taken from Cattskill and Coxsackie in 1815. Athens 
village was incorporated in 1805. It lies on the west bank of the 
Hudson, opposite the city of Hudson ; from New York 116, from 
Albany 29 miles. It is beautifully situated, extending along the shore 
about a mile and a half, and is viewed advantageously from the city 
of Hudson. [See view of Hudson.'] The northern section of the 
village was laid out about 1790, by Edward Livingston, Brockholst 
Livingston, Elihu Chauncey Goodrich, and associates ; the southern 
in 1801, by Isaac Northrop, Alexander Alexander, Patrick Hamilton, 
and others. The village now contains several churches, and about 
150 dwellings. It is a place of much business, and its natural ad- 
vantages are such, that in time it must be one of considerable im- 
portance. A ferry plies constantly between it and Hudson. Pop. 
2,387. 

The following account of the murder of Miss Hamilton, in 1813, 
is taken from a newspaper published at the time : 

'' A most daring atrocity. — Hudson, August 1, 1813. — On Saturday afternoon last, the 
body of Miss Sally Hamilton, the daughter of Samuel Hamilton, Esq., of Athens, (on the 
opposite bank of the North river,) was found in the creek which empties itself into the 
river, about one hundred rods north of the upper settlement of that village. The circum- 
stances attending the daring deed which produced this young lady's death, are most agoni- 
zing, and such as at once exhibit a most wretched deterioration in the morals of society, 
The facts as we have been able to collect them are as follows : 

" On Wednesday evening last, about 8 o'clock, Miss Hamilton left the house of her 
sister, in the lower settlement of the village of Athens, where she had been visiting, to re- 
turn to her father's house in the upper settlement, 'the two settlements are towards half & 



182 GREENE COUNTY. 

mile apart,) accompanied by several of her acquaintances. On reaching the upper settle- 
ment, part of her company stopped at a store to make some purchases, and on being desired 
to go in, she also stopped at the door, but excused herself, urging that she had been from 
home all day and was anxious to return. When she left this store it was precisely half, 
past 8 o'clock. From here she was accompanied by two elderly ladies, and when she 
parted from them, was within twenty rods of her father's house. After she parted from 
these ladies no positive account of her can be traced, although the twenty rods she had to 
walk to reach her father's house is nearly as thickly settled as any part of the city of Hud 
son ; and it was not until the next afternoon that her absence was discovered, when het 
sister, at whose house she had been the preceding day, visited her father's, and both parties 
missing the favorite of the family, mutual inquiries of her were made, which, on further in- 
quiry among the neighbors, resulted in the distressing eclaircissement embraced by the pre 
ceding detail. The alarm was instantly given, and search made for her in every direction 
without effect. 

" The only intelligence that could be obtained that in any way tended to elucidate her 
fate was, that between 8 and 9 o'clock in the evening in which she disappeared, a woman 
who was in the back part of the house at the opposite corner of the street to that to which 
she had to turn to go to her father's, came into the front part of the house, and inquired 
with some agitation if they had just then heard the stifled cries of a woman in distress. 
The reply being given in the negative, the inquiry was dropped. This corner of the street 
is within a stone's throw of the water side, and turning which, from the street she was last 
parted with in, to go to her father's house, she would leave the road that led direct to the 
creek beyond the village. About 9 o'clock, also, or a little after, the cries of a female in 
distress were heard by the people of a house about 80 rods beyond the creek ; they were 
heard twice or thrice very distinctly, and afterward rather faintly ; but imagining that they 
must be deceived, and that it was the noise of ihe boys in the village, they thought but little 
of it until the next day, when the absence of Miss Hamilton was ascertained ; blood was 
found upon the timbers of the bridge that crosses the creek, where two of the plank wore 
missing. The creek was now searched, but all to no purpose ; and, in this state of painful 
incertitude, the search was renewed on Saturday, the third day of her absence, when the 
body was found about half a mile up the creek beyond the bridge, nearly as far as a boat 
could be pushed. The body was afterward placed in the charge of a jury summoned for 
the purpose, (on which were two physicians,) who conveyed it to her father's house ; and 
after an examination of evidence, &c., they were unanimously of opinion that the young 
lady had been wilfully murdered by some person or persons unknown. From the coroner and 
several of the jury, we understand that the skull above the left eye was fractured, that the 
upper part of the cheek bone under the left eye was broken, that the hands were much 
lacerated, each arm near the shoulder bore the marks of having been seized there with 
violence, and on her breast there were marks of blows — but that lower down on her body 
there were no signs of violence having been offered her. 

" The conclusion drawn from all these circumstances is, that at the time of her passing 
the corner into the street that led to her father's house, where the stifled cries of a woman 
were heard, she was forcibly seized by ruffians, and conveyed by land or water to some 
place in the vicinity of the creek before mentioned, where the alternative was probably 
offered her, of submitting to the hellish embraces of these murderers, or of instant death. 
At this time it most undoubtedly was, that she uttered those moving shrieks which were 
heard at the house north of the creek, and when, to stop her cries, and prevent, as they 
probably conceived, all possibility of detection, the blows were inflicted that terminated her 
existence. After this, it appears probable that the murderers took the body to the bridge, 
and from thence plunged it into the water and it drifted up the creek ; or else that it was 
lowered down from the bridge into a boat, and conveyed to near the place where it was 
found ; one of the planks of the bridge being found near the body, is in support of the 
former position, but the circumstance of there being little or no current in the creek from 
the tide, argues that the latter mode was adopted. 

" Miss Hamilton was about 20 years of age, of a very respectable family, and possessed 
to the full an equal share of the attractions and accomplishments of her sex ; superadded 
to which, she enjoyed a most irreproachable character. Her funeral was attended on 
Sunday, by a large concourse of citizens from this city, as well as from the village of 
Athens ; and no occurrence has ever taken place in this vicinity, that has ever excited to 
an equal degree the sensibility of the community. Suspicion rests upon no person re- 
siding in this neighborhood ; but to be more particular on this head at the present moment, 
might jeopardize the prospect there is of apprehending the perpetrators of this atrocious act, 
for we are not without the strongest hope of soon being able to annoimce to the public 
tjiat the villians have been detected." 



GREENE COUNTY. 183 

In 1815, Patrick Cavanagh confessed himself the murderer, and re 
lated in detail the manner in which it was committed ; but on his trial 
it was ascertained that he was insane, and he was accordingly 
acquitted. Some time after, Lent, a soldier in the U. S. army, com- 
plained of a comrade by the name of Sickler, as being the author of 
the crime. At the trial, Lent testified that he was with Sickler at the 
time, and stood silently by and witnessed, although he did not partici- 
pate in the transaction ; and that previous to the murder, Sickler 
committed an outrage upon her person. In the course of the trial 
it became evident that the whole story was a fabrication on the part 
of Lent, for the purpose of obtaining the offered reward. Sickler 
was acquitted, and Lent arrested, tried, and condemned to the state 
prison for perjury, where he died some years since. 

Nearly thirty years have elapsed since the murder, and as yet the 
transaction remains a mystery. The following inscription is from 
the monument in one of the burying grounds at Athens : 

" Sacred to the memory of Sally Hamilton, who was murdered by unknown hands in 
the evening of the 25th of August, A.D., 1813, in the 20th year of her age. Parental 
affection erects this monument. 

"Does youth, does beauty lead this line ? 

Do sympathetic tears their breast alarm ? 

Speak, Heavenly Spirit ! breathe a strain divine, — 

Ee'n from the grave thou shalt have power to charm ; 

Tell them them that tho' it is an awful thing to die, — 

'Twas e'en in thee, — yet the dread path once trod, 

Heaven lifts its everlasting portals high, 

And bids the pure in heart behold their God." 

Cairo, originally named Canton, was taken from Catskill, Cox- 
sackie, and Freehold, (now Durham and Greenville,) in 1803. The 
surface of the town is mountainous and hilly. Pop. 2,862. Cairo, 
upon the Susquehannah turnpike, 10 miles NW. of Catskill, has 1 
Presbyterian, 1 Episcopal, 1 Baptist, and 1 Methodist church, and 
400 inhabitants. Acra, 14 miles NW. from Catskill, is a small settle- 
ment. 

Catskill was organized in 1788 as part of Albany county; since 
modified. The town had a small annexation from Saugerties in 
1822. The surface and soil are quite diversified. On the west are the 
Kaatsbergs, of a lofty mountain character, bordered by many hills 
of no inferior magnitude ; and the intervening plain that extends 
towards the Hudson has a broken surface, especially in the southern 
part, whilst the northern has a high level plain of sand and clay. 
The Catskill creek runs through the northern part of the town, re- 
ceiving in its course a number of fine mill streams, which, with the 
Catskill, are bordered with rich tracts of alluvial land. Pop. 5,339. 
Leeds and JeflTersun are small villages. 

The village of Catskill was incorporated in 1806, and is the seat 
of justice for the county. The village is principally built in the deep 
valley of the Catskill, between which and the Hudson is a bluff 150 
feet in height. The annexed engraving is a NW. view of the village, 
as seen from an elevation called Ashley Hill, at its northern extremi- 
ty. The drawbridge over the Catskill is seen on the right, and will 



184 



GREENE COUNTY. 




Northwestern view of Catskill. 

admit the passage of sloops some distance above it. The mouth of 
the creek makes a good harbor for sloops ; and a long and broad 
dyke, walled with stone, connects the shore with an island in the 
river, affording a place for buildings, and a commodious landing for 
steamboats. The principal street in the village is about half a mile 
in extent, having quite a business-like appearance. The steamboat 
landing is about 1 mile distant. There are in the village 1 Dutch Re- 
formed, 1 Episcopal, 1 Presbyterian, 1 Baptist, and 1 Methodist 
church. There are 2 banks, 2 newspaper establishments, and about 
300 dwellings. Distant 6 miles from Hudson, 111 from New York, 
and 33 from Albany. 

" Although not in the town, yet as connected by name and many 
relations with Catskill, we may describe here the Pine Orchard and 
Mountain House, noted attractions to tourists. They are in Hunter, 
near its eastern boundary, 12 miles west from Catskill village. The 
road from the village to the foot of the mountain, 9 miles, has little 
of interest. The ascent of the mountain is by a good though circui- 
tous road of 3 miles, but which, often running upon the brink of .a 
deep ravine, or beneath frowning precipices, excites an unwelcome 
degree of terror. The hotel, erected by ' The Kaatskill Mountain 
Association,' at the cost of $22,000, is on a circular platform of rock, 
of uneven surface, having an area of about 6 acres. The building is 
140 feet by 24, 4 stories high, with piazzas in front, and a wing for 
lodging rooms, and is duly fitted and furnished for the accommodation 
of its numerous guests. 

" The prospect from this rock is more extensive and diversified 
than, perhaps, from any other point in the United States. Petty 
inequalities disappear, and the whole surrounding country is spread 
out as a plain. The eye roves, in endless gratification, over farms, 
villages, towns, and cities, stretching between the Green mountains 
of Vermont on the north and the Hijjhlands, The Hudson river, with 



GREENE COUNTY. 



185 




Catskill Mountain House. 

its green isles and thousand sheets of white canvass, becomes visible 
for 60 miles in a clear atmosphere. At times, a thick curtain of 
clouds of ever-changing form, veils the region of lovi^er earth from 
sight ; and in their respective seasons, storms of rain and snow spend 
their force in mid air, beneath the rays of a bright sun which gilds 
the mountain above them. The scene, when gradually unfolded with 
the day, is most enchanting. 

" A few years since this delightful position was almost unknown 
and rarely visited ; but the reports of the extent, beauty, and gran- 
deur of its prospects, and the salubrity of its atmosphere, at length 
fixed public attention. The number of visiters at each successive 
season increased, until the temporary buildings at first erected gave 
place to the edifice we have described. The following heights on 
the mountain have been given by Capt. Partridge : Mountain house, 
2,212 feet above the Hudson; 1,882 feet above Lawrence's tav- 
ern ; 1,547 feet above the turnpike gate, at the foot of the mountain, 
and 947 above Green's bridge. 

" Two miles from the hotel are the Kaaterskill Falls, upon a stream 
flowing from two lakes, each about a mile and a half in circumfer- 
ence, and about a half mile in the rear of the house. After a west 
course of a mile and a half, the waters fall perpendicularly 175 feet, 
and pausing, momentarily, upon the ledge of a rock, precipitate them- 
selves 85 feet more, making the whole descent of the cataract 260 
feet. Below this point, the current is lost in the dark ravine or clove 
through which it seeks the valley of the Catskill. The water-fall, 
with all its boldness, forms, however, but one of the interesting fea- 
tures of this scene. From the edge of the first falls is beheld a dreary 

24 



186 GREENE COUNTY. 

chasm, whose steep sides, covered with dark ivy and thick summer 
foHage, seem like a green bed prepared for the waters. Making a 
circuit from this spot, and descending about midway of the first fall, 
the spectator enters an immense natural amphitheatre behind the 
cascade, roofed by a magnificent ceiling of rock, having in front the 
falling torrent, and beyond it the wild mountain dell, over which the 
clear blue sky is visible. The falls on the west branch of Kaaterskill 
have a perpendicular descent of more than 1^0 feet, and the stream 
descends in rapids and cascades 400 feet in 100 rods. The Kaaters- 
kill has a devious and very rapid course of about 8 miles, to the Cats- 
kill, near the village. The falls are best seen from below ; and the 
view from the Pine Orchard is better between 3 o'clock, P. M. and 
at sunset, than in the middle of the day." — Gordon's Gaz. 

The following description of this view from the Catskill mountain 
house is given by Miss Martineau : 

" After tea I went out upon the platform in front of the house, having been warned not 
to go too near the edge, so as to fall an unmeasured depth into the forest below. I sat 
upon the edge as a security against stepping over unawares. The stars were bright over- 
head, and had conquered half the sky, giving promise of what we ardently desired, a fine 
mon-ow. Over the other half, the mass of thunder-clouds was, I supposed, lieaped together, 
for I could at first discern notliing of the champaign which I knew must be stretched below. 
Suddenly, and from that moment incessantly, gushes of red lightning poured out from the 
cloudy canopy, revealing not merely the horizon, but the course of the river, in ail its wind, 
ings through the valley. This thread of river, thus illuminated, looked like a flash of hght- 
ning caught by some strong hand and laid along in the valley. All the principal features 
of the landscape might, no doubt, have been discerned by this sulphurous light ; but my 
whole attention was absorbed by the river, which seemed to come out of the darkness like 
an apparition at the summons of my impatient will. It could be borne only for a short 
time ; this dazzling, bewildering alternation of glare and blackness, of vast reality and 
nothingness. I was soon glad to draw back from the precipice and seek the candlelight 
within. 

" The next day was Sunday. I shall never forget, if I live to a hundred, how the world 
lay at my feet one Sunday morning. I rose very early, and looked abroad from my win- 
dow, two stories above the platform. A dense fog, exactly level with my eyes, as it ap. 
peared, roofed in the whole plain of the earth ; a dusky firmament in which the stars had 
hidden themselves for the day. Such is the account which an antediluvian spectator would 
probably have given of it. This solid firmanent had spaces in it, however, through which 
gushes of sunlight were poured, fighting up the spires of white churches, and clusters of 
farm buildings too small to be otherwise distinguished ; and especially the river, with its 
sloops floating like motes in the sunbeam. The firmament rose and melted, or parted off 
into the likeness of snowy sky mountains, and left the cool Sabbath to brood brightly over 
the land. What human interest sanctifies a bird's-eye view ! I suppose this its peculiar 
charm, for its charm is foimd to deepen in proportion to the growth of mind. To an infant, 
a champaign of a hundred miles is not so much as a yard square of gay carpet. To the 
rustic it is less bewitching than a paddock with two cows. To the philosopher, what is it 
not ? As he casts his eye over its glittering towns, its scattered hamlets, its secluded homes, 
its mountain ranges, church spires, and untrodden forests, it is a picture of life ; an epitome of 
the human uni> crse ; the complete volume of moral philosophy, for which he has sought in 
vain in all libraries. On the left horizon are the Green mountains of Vermont, and at the 
righ* extremity sparkles the Atlantic. Beneath hes the forest where the deer are hiding 
and the birds rejoicing in song. Beyond the river he sees spread the rich plains of Con- 
necticut ; there, where a blue expanse lies beyond the triple range of hills, are the churches 
of religious Massachusetts, sending up their Sabbath psalms ; praise which he is too high to 
hear, while God is not. The fields and waters seem to him to-day no more truly property 
than the skies which shine down upon them ; and to think how some below are busying 
their thoughts this Sabbath-day about how they shall hedge in another field, or multiply 
their flocks on yonder meadows, gives him a taste of the same pity which Jesus felt in his 
fwlitude when his followers were contending about which should be greatest. It seems 
strange to him now that man should call any thing his but the power which is in hira,- and 



GREENE COUNTY. 187 

which can create somewhat more vast and beautiful than all that this horizon encloaes. 
Here he gains the conviction, to be never again shaken, that all that is real is ideal ; that 
the joys and sorrows of men do not spring up out of the ground, or fly abroad on the wings 
of the wind, or come showered down from the sky ; that good cannot be hedged in, nor 
evil barred out ; even that light does not reach the spirit through the eye alone, nor wisdom 
through the medium of sound or silence only. He becomes of one mind with the spiritual 
Berkeley, that the face of nature itself, the very picture of woods, and streams, and mead- 
ows, is a hieroglyphic writing in the spirit itself, of which the retina is no interpreter. The 
proof is just below him, (at least it came under my eye,) in the lady, (not American,) who, 
after glancing over the landscape, brings her chair into the piazza, and, turning her back to 
the champaign, and her face to the wooden walls of the hotel, begins the study, this Sun- 
day morning, of her lapful of newspapers. What a sermon is thus preached to him at this 
moment from a very hackneyed text ! To him that hath much, that hath the eye, and ear, 
and wealth of the spirit, shall more be given, even a replenishing of this spiritual life from 
that which to others is formless and dumb ; while from him that hath little, who trusts in 
that which lies about him rather than in that which Uves within him, shall be taken away, 
by natural decline, the power of perceiving and enjoying what is within his own domain. 
To him who is already enriched with large divine and human revelations this scene is, for 
all its stillness, musical with divine and human speech ; while one who has been deafened 
by the din of worldly affairs can hear nothing in this mountain solitude." 

The annexed anecdotes, extracted from the New York Commer- 
cial Advertiser, are from the well-known pen of the editor. 

" Passing through the little village of Jefferson, we arrived at the still larger and more 

bustling one of Madison, 4 miles from Cattskill The principal house at this place, 

is an ancient stone edifice, and for a generation past occupied as a store and as a tavern. 
Its builder and late proprietor was the late M — g S — n, Esq., an ancient and somewhat 
eccentric Dutch denizen, who stood six feet six in his shoes, weighed 15 stone, and was in 
a way somewhat of a wag withal. — The valley of the Kaatskill was chiefly settled by the 
Dutch ; and the house of mynheer was the principal place of resort for the Van Bokkelins, 
Van Ordens, and Van Der Speigles of the neighborhood to smoke their pipes, and crack 
their jokes of long winter evenings, before their peaceful country was overrun by the Yan- 
kees, who have swarmed over this once happy region like the locusts of Egypt, equally 
hungry and destructive. It was the worthy host of huge dimensions whom we have de- 
scribed, who was so grievously taken in, once on a time, in an encounter of wits with one 
of those keen-eyed, cunning Yankees, who prowl over the country, seated on tin carts, 
with bags of feathers, or some other " notion" for their cushions. After some sporting and 
bantering between mynheer and Jonathan, who had shown off some common slight of hand 
tricks, with cards, to the great astonishment of the " spoons" who were looking on, he, that 
is, the said Jonathan, declared that he could swallow his robustuous host ! Notwithstanding 
that Jonathan had already played off several of his Yankee tricks which puzzled the good 
people exceedingly, yet this assertion was too great a mouthful for them to swallow, if the 
pedler could. A bet suflficient to moisten the throats of the whole company was the conse. 
quence between the principal parties, though the landlord in proposing it had no idea that 
his customer would accept, when, as he supposed, he must be certain of losing. Jonathan 
then directed that mynheer should be divested of his coat and boots, and be stretched longi- 
tudinally upon the old oaken table which had stood in the bar-room for half a century. 
These arrangements having been made, Jonathan voraciously seized upon the honest land- 
lord's great toe, which he pressed rather violently between his teeth, giving the good man a 
twinge which caused a writhing movement and a groan. ' Dunder and blixem,' exclaimed 
Mynheer : ' Vat de teinl do ye pite me sho vor !' ' Why you darned great fool,' said Jona- 
than, ' you didn't think I was going to swallow you whole, did you ?' A burst of laughter 
proclaimed Jonathan victor, and mynheer had to pay the toast and toddy. 

" . . . . Before reaching Cairo, an ancient and spacious stone house was pointed out 
to us bearing date of 1705, in large iron figures. This venerable mansion stands in the 
midst of an extensive farm of about 1,000 acres, well cultivated, and presenting a scene 
which, for a single farm, is hardly anywhere to be equalled for the rich, picturesque, and 
beautiful. The cultivation denotes the hand of industry rather than taste. The practised 
horticulturist had not been there ; but rank pastures, heavy waving fields, and luxuriant 
meadows, indicated rich returns to the husbandman. The small clumps of trees left here 
and there in the fields to afford fuel in the winter, and lend a grateful shade in summer, 
diversified the scene and rendered it still more delightful. We linger longer at this spot 
than our wonted manner is, in consequence of an interesting tale connected with it, whicli 



188 GREENE COUNTY. 

is no fiction. During a part of the 17th and nearly the whole of the 18th century, it be. 
longed to a single owner ! When young he was a man of violent passions. A servant 
girl having once run away, he pursued and overtook her, and, in his exasperation, tied her 
to his horse's tail to lead her home. By a fright, or some other cause, the horse ran off, 
and the unfortunate girl was dashed to pieces against some rocks and stones. The unhappy 
master was arrested, tried, and convicted of murder ! He was rich, of a powerful family for 
the times, and through the combined means of wealth and family influence, it being on ail 
hands allowed to be a hard case, he was sentenced to be executed at ninety-nine years old. 
He lived on ; and generations passed away — and yet he lived ! Death seemed to have no 
arrow barbed for him. At length the time approached. Ninety, ninety-five, ninety.eight 
years had rolled away since his birth. The ninety-ninth came on, and yet he lived ! But 
generations had risen up and gone down to the tomb since his ofience. Nay, the tale had 
almost become a forgotten tradition, although many years before the keen eyes of super, 
fitition had seen, and her tremulous tongue related, many tales of startling terror concerning 
the appearances at the fatal spot, pointed out to this day, where the poor girl had lost her 
life. The hopeless swain, who, in returning from visiting his rustic mistress, was so un- 
lucky as to have been detained in the lap of bliss to the solemn hour of midnight, was sure 
to encounter a nocturnal appearance of some sort. Sometimes sighs and lamentations were 
heard in the air, like the plaintiveness of the soft whistling wind. At others, a white cow, 
which was said to have been a favorite when the deceased was alive, would stand lowing 
among the rocks, while again at others, a shagged white dog would stand pointing and 
howling towards the mansion. But they always vanished on approaching them, though 
perhaps it would be difficult to prove that the spectators approached very near. A white 
horse of gigantic size, with fiery eyeballs and distended nostrils, was often seen to run 
past the fatal spot, with the fleetness of wind, dragging a female behind, with tattered gar. 
ment and streaming hair, screaming for help. At other times the horse would appear to 
drag a hideous skeleton, clattering after him, half enveloped in a winding sheet, with cries 
and dismal bowlings ; while again a female figure would at times appear sitting upon a 
huge fragment of rock, with a lighted candle upon each finger, singing wildly, or uttering 
a piercing cry, or an hysterical laugh. People, too, began to wonder that the murderer did 
not die, while many shook their heads and indicated that he could not, — that his soul was 
bound to earth till the time should come. But these things, too, passed away. And now 
the revolution had intervened, — a new government bore rule ; and the old man was not 
molested. For 75 years he had led a quiet and inofl'ensive life, and who would rudely 
break in upon his repose ? He died tranquilly at more than a hundred years old. Peace 
be to his ashes ! Tradition has added to his sentence that he was to wear a cord contin- 
ually upon his neck ; and a few years ago, there were those living, who pretended that 
they had seen a neat silken string worn in compliance to the sentence, but to appearance 
as an ornament." 

CoxsACKiE was originally settled by the Dutch ; it was a part of 
Albany county, and organized in 1788. Pop. 3,539. It derives its 
name from an Indian word, meaning " hooting of owls." Coxsackie vil- 
lage and landing, on the Hudson, lies 124 miles from New York, 20 
from Albany, and liz N. of Cattskill. The village is over a mile W. 
of the landing, and has about 100 dwellings. At the landing there is 
a jaii«<r village, where there is a good deal of business transacted 
connected with the river. 

Durham was originally named Freehold, and taken from Coxsackie 
in 1790; from Cattskill, NW., 24, from Albany, SW., 30, and from 
New York 134 miles. Durham, South Durham, Cornwallsville, Wi- 
nansvillc, and Oak Hill, are small settlements. Pop. 2,813. 

Greenville, taken from Coxsackie and Freehold, and organized in 
1803 by the name of Greenfield, afterward changed to Freehold, and 
finally to its present name ; from New York 1 30 miles, and from Al- 
bany, S., 25 miles. Freehold, 15 miles NW., Greenville 16, Newry 
18, Gay head 13 miles from Cattskill, are small villages. Pop. 2,338. 
Hunter was taken from Windham in 1813, by the name of Green- 
laud, and changed to its present one in 1814 ; from New York 130» 



HAMILTON COUNTY. 189 

and from Albany 58 miles. Pop. 2,019. Tannersville is a small 
village in the central part of the town, upon the main branch of 
Schoharie kill, 22 miles from Catskill. The surface of this town is 
mountainous, having on the north the main ridge of the Kaatsbergs. 
The Mountain House, on the Catskill mountains, so noted among 
tourists, is within the limits of this town. (See Catskill.) 

Lexington, taken from Windham in 1813. Lexington Heights, 
30 miles W. from Catskill, and Lexington 34, ai-e small settlements. 
E. Lexington and Westville are post-otfices. Pop. 2,813. 

New Baltimore, organized in 1811. Pop. 2,306. New Baltimore, 
upon the Hudson, 15 miles below Albany, and 19 N. of Catskill, has 
about 50 dwellings, and is a place of considerable trade. Four Cor- 
ners, 16 miles from Catskill, and Stanton Hill, are small settlements. 

Prattsville, taken from Windham in 1833; from Albany, SW., 
50 miles, from Catskill, NW., 36. Pop. 1,613. The town lies be- 
tween two great ridges of the Kaatsbergs. Prattsville, on the Scho- 
harie kill, is a small village. 

Windham, taken from Woodstock in 1798 ; from Albany 39 miles, 
from Catskill centrally distant W. 26. Pop. 2,417. Windham, 
Osborneville, and Scienceville, are small villages. Union Society 
and Big Hollow are post-offices. 



HAMILTON COUNTY. 

Hamilton county was provisionally erected, in 1816, from the N. 
end of Montgomery county, but not organized. It remained attached 
to Montgomery county until 1838 ; when, by the division of Mont- 
gomery, it became attached to Fulton county. It is not yet separately 
organized ; though probably from its flourishing condition it will soon 
become detached from Fulton. It is 62 miles long N. and S., and 
with an average breadth, E. and W., of 30 miles ; centrally distant 
from New York 250, and from Albany, westerly, 105 miles. This 
county contains 7 towns. Pop. 1,907. 

The following remarks respecting this county, which is yet a wil- 
derness and comparatively unknown, are extracted from the report 
of E. Emmons, Esq., one of the geologists employed by the state. 
" Contrary to the published accounts, and to common opinions, which 
are of course formed principally from those accounts, especially from 
Burr's and Gordon's statistics of this county, I have the pleasure of 
stating that it is far from being the wet, cold, swampy, and barren dis- 
trict which it has been represented to be. The soil is generally 
strong and productive ; the mountains are not so elevated and steep 
but that the soil is preserved of sufficient thickness to their tops to 
secure their cultivation, and most of the marshy lands may be re- 
claimed by ditching ; by this means they will become more valuable 



190 HAMILTON COUNTY. 

tlmn the uplands for producing hay. In fine, it will be found an ex- 
cellent country for grazdng, raising stock, and producing butter and 
cheese. The strength of the soil is sufficiently tested by the heavy 
growth of timber, which is principally of hard wood, as beach, maple, 
yellow birch, butternut, and elm. The evergreens or pines, are con- 
fined mostly to the lower ranges of mountains. Some of them are 
of the largest growth of any in the state, and are suitable for the 
main shafts of the largest of the cotton mills. In the main, the county 
resembles the mountainous districts of New England, and like these 
produces the same intermixture of forest trees, and has about the 
same adaptations for the production of the different kinds of grain, as 
wheat, rye, oats, peas, barley, together with fine crops of potatoes. 

" The face of the country varies from hilly to mountainous. A 
low range of mountains cross the county between the town of Wells 
and Lake Pleasant ; the whole width is not far from six miles. 
This range, in its progress northeastwardly, increases in elevation 
until it constitutes the highest mountain group in the state, in the 
towns of Moriah and Keene, in Essex county. 

" The most interesting physical features in this county arise from 
the number and beauty of the lakes which are sprinkled liberally and 
picturesquely over its surface. Much has been said of the clearness 
of the waters of Lake George, and not without reason ; if, however, 
the traveller will extend his wanderings to Lake Pleasant, Round, 
Piseco, and Racket lakes, he will find them its equals, if not its rivals. 
The clearness of the waters in all these lakes is owing to the primi- 
tive character of the region in which they occur. The lakes of 
Hamilton form a beautiful addition to the scenery of our country. 
Although the mountains are not so high as those of Scotland, still it 
will be a matter which will occasion no surprise, (when Americans 
shall have acquired suflicient independence to admire a thing that is 
American,) if these lakes do not become objects of admiration, and 
shall be considered as vieing with those of Scotland. Settlements 
are now forming on the margin of those beautiful sheets of water, 
and were buildings erected suitable for the accommodation of travel- 
lers, in some central place among these lakes, (which we doubt not 
will be the case in a short time,) our pleasure-seeking community, of 
whatever cast, could spend a few days or weeks with as much zest 
as is afforded by any of the places of public resort which are so 
thronged during the heat of summer. As I have already intimated, 
the axe has been laid at the root of the tree, and ere long where 
nought now greets the eye but a dense, and to all appearance impas- 
sable forest, will be seen the golden grain waving with the gentle 
breeze, the sleek cattle browsing on the rich pastures, and the farmer 
with well-stored granaries enjoying the domestic hearth." While 
thousands are annually emigrating to the unsettled regions of the 
" far west," it should be remembered that here is a tract which per- 
haps offers as strong inducements as the former, with the additional 
advantages of a near market, and of becoming ere long possessed of 
all the blessings of an old country. 



HERKIMER COUNTY. 191 

Arietta was erected in 1836, from Lake Pleasant. It is about 55 
miles long, with an average breadth of 6^. Pop. 209. The site 
designated for the county seat is at Piseco, in this town, a flourish- 
ing village on the Piseco lake. 

Oilman was erected in 1839, from Wells. It is about 37 miles 
long, N. and S., and 5 broad, E. and W. Pop. 98. 

Hope, the SE. corner town, was taken from Wells in 1818. It is 
about 10 miles long, E. and W., and li broad, N. and S. Hope, 
Hope Centre, and Benson, are post-offices. Pop. 711. 

Lake Pleasant, taken from Johnstown in 1812; centrally distant 
from New York 255, from Albany 120, and from Johnstown 43 
miles. It is about 50 miles long, N. and S., and 7 broad, E. and W. 
Pop. 296. Lake Pleasant is a small village, about 16 miles N. of 
Fulton county line. 

Long Lake is E. and W. 28 miles long, by about 12 broad, and 
occupies the whole breadth of the northern portion of the county. It 
was erected in 1838, from Wells, Lake Pleasant, Arietta, and More- 
house. Pop. 59. 

Morehouse, the westernmost town of the county, was taken from 
Lake Pleasant in 1835. It is about 40 miles long, N. and S., by 
about 62 broad, E. and W. Pop. 169. Morehouseville is a small 
village, in the southern part. 

Wells, the easternmost town of the county, is about 40 miles long, 
N. and S., with an average breadth, E. and W., of about 5 miles. 
Wells post-office is in the S. part. Pop. 365. 



HERKIMER COUNTY. 

Herkimer county was originally constituted in 1791. Greatest 
length N. and S. 90, greatest breadth E. and W. 23 miles. Cen- 
trally distant from New York 260, from Albany 115 miles. This 
county has a broken and diversified aspect. South of the Mohawk, 
within this county, is the great dividing ridge separating the waters 
of the Mohawk from those of the Susquehannah. A high range of 
hills extend across the valley of the Mohawk at the Little Falls, and 
the whole county north of the Mohawk is of a mountainous charac- 
ter. Most of the county south of the Mohawk, and for many miles 
north of it, is under cultivation, which the greater portion of the hills 
will admit of to their summits. There is a variety of soil, but the 
greater part of the county is better adapted for grass than grain. 
The extensive alluvial valley of the Mohawk, and those of some of 
the smaller streams, are among the finest grain lands in the state. 
The northern part of the county is elevated, and covered with exten- 
sive forests of evergreens and marshes, and is of a cold and sterile 
soil. The Mohawk river runs across its whole width. The East 



192 



HERKIMER COUNTY. 



and West Canada creeks, (large branches of the Mohawk,) form the 
former part of the eastern, and the latter part of the western bounda- 
ry of the county. Black river of Lake Ontario, has its sources in the 
northern part, and also some of the branches of the Oswegatchie 
river. Several small streams running into the Mohawk, and some of 
the sources of the Susquehannah, have their rise in the southern part. 
The Erie canal and Utica railroad cross the county in the Mohawk 
valley. The long level of the canal, 69 ^ miles, extends from Syra- 
cuse, Onondaga county, to Frankfort, near the western boundary of 
this county. From thence across the county the canal has a descent 
of 97 feet by 12 locks ; 5 of which are at the Little Falls, at which 
place there is an aqueduct over the Mohawk, built of 3 arches, one 
of 700, two of 50 feet each. The lands of this county were originally 
granted in large tracts ; such were the " Royal Grant," to Sir Wil- 
liam Johnson, embracing the country between the East and West 
Canada creeks ; the " Jerserfield patent," covering a larger portion 
of the northern part of the county, made in 1770; the "German 
Flats patent," granted in 1725, and others. The county has 19 towns. 
Pop. 37,378. 

Columbia, taken from Warren in 1812 ; from Albany 75, from 
Herkimer S. 10 miles. Pop. 2,130. This town was settled previous 
to the revolution, by some Germans. Columbia and South Columbia 
are post-offices. 

Danube was taken from Minden in 1817 ; from Albany 76, from 
Herkimer SE. 10 miles. Pop. 1,907. Near the mouth of theNowa- 
daga, a small stream in this town, formerly stood a Mohawk castle 
with a church and bell. 




General Herkimer house, Danube. 

The above is an eastern view of the Gen. Herkimer house, in Dan- 
ube, now owned by Mr. Connor. This house is built of brick, and is 
upwards of 2 miles eastward of the village of Little Falls, just below 
the rocky pass of the Mohawk. It is situated but a few rods south 
from the Erie canal, fronting the beautiful interval of the Mohawk, 
at this place. This house was built by the general, who, after being 



HERKIMER COUNTY. 193 

wounded at the battle of Oriskany, was brought here, where he died. 
He was buried on a Httle knoll, a few rods in a southerly direction 
from his house, in the family burying ground, without a monument to 
tell where he lies. 

The battle of Oriskany was fought on the 6th of Aug., 1777 ; and 
Gen. Herkimer did not long survive his wound. The following ac- 
count of his last moments, and his character, is taken from Col. 
Stone's interesting account in his Life of Brant, vol. I. 

" He was conveyed to his own house near the Mohawk river, a few miles below the 
Litile Falls ; where his leg, which had been shattered 5 or 6 inches below the knee, was 
amputated about 10 days after ihe battle, by a young French surgeon in the army of Gen. 
Arnold, and contrary to the advice of the general's own medical adviser, the late Dr. Pe- 
trie. But the operation was unskilfully performed, and it was found impossible by his 
attendants to stanch the blood. Col. Willet called to see the general soon after the opera- 
tion. He was sitting up in his bed, with a pipe in his mouth, smoking, and talking in ex- 
cellent spirits. He died the night following that visit. His friend. Col. John Roff, was 
present at the amputation, and affirmed that he bore the operation with uncommon fortitude. 
He was likewise wirh him at the time of his death. The blood continuing to flow — there 
being no physician in immediate attendance — and being himself satisfied that the time of 
his departure was nigh, the veteran directed the Holy Bible to be brought to him. He then 
opened it and read, in the presence of those who surrounded his bed, with all the composure 
which it was possible for any man to exhibit, the 38th psalm — applying it to his own situa- 
tion. He soon afterward expired ; and it may well be questioned whether the annals of 
man furnish a more striking example of Christian heroism — calm, deliberate, and firm in 
the hour of death — than is presented in this remarkable instance. Of the early history of 
Gen. Herkimer, but little is known. It has been already stated that his fainily was one of 
the first of the Germans who planted themselves in the Mohawk valley. And the massive 
stone mansion, yet standing at German Flatts, bespeaks its early opulence. He was an 
uneducated man — with, if possible, less skill in letters, even than Gen. Putnam, which is 
saying much. But he was, nevertheless, a man of strong and vigorous understanding — 
destitute of some of the essential requisites of generalship, but of the most cool and dauntless 
courage. These traits were all strikingly disclosed in the brief and bloody expedition to 
Oriskany. But he must have been well acquainted with that most important of all books — 
The Bible. Nor could the most learned biblical scholar, lay or clerical, have selected a 
portion of the Sacred Scriptures more exactly appropriate to the situation of the dying sol. 
dier, than that to which he himself spontaneously turned. If Socrates died like a philoso- 
pher, and Rousseau like an unbeUeving sentimentalist. Gen. Herkimer died like a Chris- 
tian Hero. Congress passed a resolution requesting the governor and council of New 
York to erect a monument, at the expense of the United States, to the memory of this 
brave man, of the value of five hundred dollars. 

" Sixty years have since rolled away, and the journal of Congress is the only monument, 
and the resolution itself the only inscription, which as yet testify the gratitude of the repub- 
lic to General Nicholas Herkimer." 

Fairfield, taken from Norway in 1796; from Albany 76, from 
Herkimer NE. 10 miles. Pop. 1,836. The village of Fairfield is 
centrally situated, and contains 1 Methodist, 1 Episcopal, and 1 Pres- 
byterian church, and about 50 dwellings. 

The college of physicians and sui'geons of the western district is 
located in this village, and numbers 6 professors and 105 students ; 
also, a flourishing academy, under the charge of the Rev. Henry 
Bannister, and numbering 150 pupils, including males and females. 
In the following view, the two buildings shown on the right are the 
medical colleges, the structure with a steeple is the academy chapel, 
and the building partially seen on the left is the one appropriated for 
the male department of the academy. These buildings are favorably 
located on a fine green. The building for the females is not shown 

25 



194 



IIKRKIMKU COUNTY. 




Medical College, and Academy, at Fairfield. 

in this view. Middleville, on West Canada creek, on the west line 
of the town, and partly in Newport, has 1 church and about 50 
dwelUngs. 

Frankfort was taken from German Flats in 1796; from Albany 
86 miles. Frankfort, a manufacturing village upon the canal 4 miles 
IN W. of Herkimer, has about 60 dwellings. Frankfort Hill is a post- 
office. Pop. 3,096. 

German Flats was organized in 1 788. Its surface is undulating, 
rising from the Mohawk river on the northern boundary. The ex- 
tensive alluvial flats in this town, as well as those in Herkimer, were 
settled at an early period by German families, and have now been 
known as the German Flats for more than a century. The soil of 
the township is uncommonly good, particularly the flats on the Mo- 
hawk, which are proverbially fertile. Centrally distant from Herki- 
mer 5, and from Albany 75 miles. Pop. 3,245. 

Mohawk, a small post village on the Mohawk river and Erie canal, 
is nearly 2 miles from Herkimer, the county seat ; contains an ancient 
stone church, the westernmost of the line of those structures built un- 
der the auspices of Sir William Johnson. A short distance E. of the 
church stood the large and massive-built mansion of the Herkimer 
family, which, like the church itself, was used as a fort. Hence it 
was called Fort Herkimer. " It was at this place," says Col. Stone, 
" that the first liberty pole in the valley was reared in the spring of 
1775." White, the sheriff of Tryon county at that time, came up 
the flats with a large body of militia from Johnstown, and cut it down. 
When the Mohawk valley was ravaged in 1778 by the tories and 
Indians, there were 34 dwellings on the south side of the Mohawk 
laid in ashes. 

Herkimer was organized in 1788. The surface of the township 
on the north is hilly ; on the south, along the banks of the Mohawk, 
which forms its southern boundary, are the German flats, so noted for 
their fertility. This place was an early German settlement, " origin- 
ally called Burnetsfield, from the circumstance that the patent had 
been granted by Gov. Burnet. This patent extended over the richest 



HERKIMER COUNTY. 



195 



and most beautiful section of the Mohawk valley, comprehending the 
broad alluvial lands directly beyond the junction of the West Canada 
creek and river, and including about 10 miles of the valley from E. 
to W." Pop. 2,369. 




View of Herkimer, from the Erie canal. 

The above shows the appearance of the village as seen from an 
elevation rising from the south bank of the Mohawk and the Erie 
canal, about a mile distant. The village was incorporated in 1807- 
1825, and is built on a gravelly plain elevated some 10 or 15 feet 
above the surrounding flats, occupying the site of the ancient Fort 
Dayton. The village consists of upwards of 100 dwellings, the 
county buildings, 1 Dutch Reformed and 1 Methodist church, a print- 
ing office, &c. .The principal street runs N. and S., and is about half 
a mile in extent ; the railroad passes through the village at its south- 
ern extremity. 

The following account of the destruction of this place by the tories 
and Indians in 1778, is from Stone's Life of Brant. 

" At the time of which we are writing, the settlement on the south side of the river 
numbered 34 dwelhng-houses, and there were about an equal number upon the north side, 
together with as many barns and other outbuildings, and several mills. The population, 
for the number of houses, was numerous. The lands, rich by nature, and well cultivated, 
had that year brought forth by handfuls ; so that the barns were amply stored with their 
products. 

" It was at the close of August, or early in the month of September, that this fine district 
was laid waste by the Indians under the direction of Brant. Most providentially, however, 
the invasion was attended with the loss of but two lives — one man being killed outright, 
and another, named McGinnis, perished in the flames. The particulars of this hostile irrup. 
tion were these : — Entertaining some suspicions of Brant, who was at Unadilla, a scout of 
four men had been despatched into that vicinity for observation. Three of these men were 
killed at the Edmeston settlement. The fourth, John Helmer, succeeding in making his 
escape, and returned to the Flats at half an hour before sun-down, just in time to announco 
that Brant, with a large body of Indians, was advancing, and would, in a few hours, be upoa 
them. All was, of course, terror and alarm through the settlement ; and the inhabitants™ 
men, women, and children — were gathered into forts Dayton and Herkimer for security^ 
In flying to those defences, they gathered up the most valuable of their stuff, and by iBeau* 



196 HERKIMER COUNTY. 

of boats and canoes upon the river, succeeded, in the course of the evening, in collecting a 
large portion of their best articles of furniture. But they had no time to look after their 
flocks and herds. 

" Early in the evening Brant arrived at the edge of the settlement, but as the night came 
on excessively dark and rainy, he halted with his forces in a ravine, near the house of his 
tory friend Shoemaker, where the younger Butler and his party were captured the preceding 
year. Here the chieftain lay with his warriors until the storm broke away towards morning 
— unconscious that his approach had been notified to the people by the scout in season to 
enable them to escape the blow of his uplifted arm. Before the dawn he was on foot, and 
his warriors were sweeping through the settlement; so that the torch might be almost sim- 
ultaneously applied to every building it contained. .Tust as the day was breaking in the 
east, the fires were kindled, and the whole section of the valley was speedily illuminated by 
the flames of houses and barns, and all things else combustible. The spectacle, to the 
people in the forts, was one of melancholy grandeur. Every family saw the flames and 
smoke of its own domicil ascending to the skies, and every farmer the whole product of his 
labor for the season dissolving into ashes. 

" Having no fire-arms larger than their rifles, the Indians avoided even a demonstration 
against the forts, notwithstanding their chagrin that neither scalps nor prisoners were to grace 
their triumph. But as the light of day advanced, their warriors were seen singly, or in small 
groups, scouring the fields, and driving away all the horses, sheep, and black cattle that 
could be found. Nothing upon which they could lay their hands was left; and the settle- 
ment, which, but the day before, for ten miles had smiled in plenty and in beauty, was now 
houseless and destitute. Happily, however, of human life there was no greater sacrifice 
than has already been mentioned. After the Indians had decamped with their booty, a' 
force of between 300 and 400 militia-men collected, and went in pursuit — following as far 
as Edmeston's plantation on the Unadilla river, where the bodies of the three scouts were 
found and buried. But no other results attended this expedition." 

Litchfield was taken from German Flats in 1796; from Albany 
88, centrally distant from Herkimer and Utica 1 1 miles. Cedarville, 
partly in the towns of Winfield and Columbia, has about 40 dwellings. 
Litchfield is a post-office. Pop. 1,672. 

Little Falls was taken from Herkimer, Fairfield, and German 
Flats, in 1829. It has a hilly and broken surface, lying on both sides 
of the Mohawk. Pop. 3,88 L The first settlement in the town ap- 
pears to have been made at the falls of the Mohawk, by or under the 
direction of Alexander Ellis. This gentleman was a Scotch mer- 
chant, who, under the favor of Sir William Johnson, had obtained a 
patent of the wild mountain gorge, through which the Mohawk leaps 
from the upper into the lower section of the valley. 

The engraving shows a southern view of part of the village as 
seen from a point about 20 rod.s below the aqueduct over the Mo- 
hawk. The village consists of upwards of 300 dwellings, 5 churches — 
viz, 1 Presbyterian, 1 Baptist, 1 Episcopal, 1 Methodist, and 1 Cath- 
olic — a bank, an academy, 2 newspaper printing offices, and various 
manufacturing establishments. The village is supplied with water 
brought from a spring in the granite mountain, 300 feet above the 
tops of the houses. The singular building with a spire, seen in the 
engraving on the left, on elevated ground, is the oldest church in the 
village, formerly used by the Scotch Presbyterians, but now occupied 
by the Catholics. 

" This spot is remarkable for the passage of the Mohawk river 
through the mountain barrier ; for its wild and picturesque scenery ; 
and for the difficulties which have been overcome in constructing the 
Erie canal through the pass. It receives the name of the Little Falls, 
in contradistinction to the Great Falls at Cahoes. The falls extend 



HERKIMER COUNTY. 197 




Southern view of part of the Village of Little Falls. 

upon the river about three fourths of a mile, descending in that dis- 
tance 42 feet, and consist of two long rapids, separated by a sti'etch 
of deep water, occupying each about the fourth of a mile. The up- 
per rapids are most considerable. Above them, a dam across the 
stream renders it placid, over which the waters, separated by a small 
island, form beautiful low cascades, falling into a deep pool beneath, 
whence the current rushes, murmuring and foaming, over ridges and 
amorphous masses of granite and gneiss rock, flowing with compar- 
ative gentleness beneath the overarching biidge and aqueduct, and 
thence hurrying, with new impetuosity, over the stony bed below. 

" This waterfall would be beautiful anywhere ; but it acquires 
grandeur here, from the high hills which confine it, and which the 
slightest observation teaches us have been cut down by its ever en- 
during and irresistible force. The defile is two miles long, with a 
medial breadth of one hundred rods. On either bank, the hill, on 
which deciduous and evergreen trees are pleasingly intermingled, 
rises from 360 to 400 feet, and the fall, over which may have once 
poured the waters of Lake Ontario, may have had a very little infe- 
rior altitude. A mound, raised here to the height of 70 feet, would 
now cause the waters to overflow the Rome summit, and send them 
again by Wood creek and the Oneida lake to Ontario. 

" That the hill has been so abraded is incontestibly demonstrated by 
the many cavities, basins, and channels, worn in the rock, at the bot- 
tom and sides of the defile, visible throughout its extent, and at an 
elevation of 60 feet. Below the Gulf Bridge, on the north side of the 
road, is an insulated rock, having a remarkable water-worn cavity or 
funnel ; its top is between 30 and 40 feet above the low-water mark 
of the river, and the rock in which it is formed is 16 feet high. The 
funnel, 2\ feet diameter, descends perpendicularly fromt he top be- 
low the exposed part of the base. Near the base it is broken so 
that the sky may be seen as through a chimney. This funnel has 



198 HERKIMER COUNTY. 

doubtless been worn by the violent action of water upon loose stones 
within its cavity. Similar indications of like action are common here, 
and some have lately been disclosed by removal of the soil from other 
portions of rock. 

" At the foot of the falls the river expands into a basin more than 
a hundred feet deep, into which the high cataract once poured its 
floods, and from whose depths rocky spires rise above the surface. 

" A canal, with 5 locks, was constructed here by the Western Inland 
Navigation Company, in 1802, which now gives a valuable hydraulic 
power, and serves as a feeder for the Erie canal, with which it is 
connected by a noble aqueduct of marble, 214 feet long, 10 feet wide, 
confined by walls 14 feet high and 4 feet broad, sustained by three 
arches, the central one of 70, and the outer ones each of 50 feet span. 
The western parapet, guarded with an iron balustrade, forms an 
agreeable promenade, lirom which a great portion of this varied 
scenery is visible. This beautiful structure is best seen from a fine 
stone bridge immediately above it. 

" This defile presented an obstacle to the Erie canal, inferior to none 
save the deep excavation at Lockport. Here, two miles of deep rock 
cutting were necessary ; years were supposed requisite to accomplish 
the work ; but the perseverance and skill of the contractors eflfected 
the most difficult portion in less than 90 days. 

" The canal descends the pass by 5 locks, 40 feet in the distance of 
one mile, and the time of the passage permits the traveller in boats 
to view, leisurely, the natural scenery and artificial improvements. 

*' This place has much attraction for the student of natural science. 
The geologist will find the various formations curiously blended in its 
vicinity. The rocks, immediately at the falls, are granite, gneiss, and 
hornblende, with calciferous sand rock overlaid by transition lime- 
stone. Beautiful quartz crystals of unusual size, purity, and lustre, 
and fine specimens of tourmaline, may be obtained." — GordorCs Gaz. 

In 1780, a party of tories and Indians made a descent upon the small settlement at 
Little Falls, for the purpose of destroying the mills, which were of much importance to the 
inhabitants in this section. This was easily accomplished — " the enemy having stolen 
upon the settlement unawares, and the flouring mill being garrisoned by not more than a 
dozen men. Only a few shots were exchanged, and but one man was killed — Daniel Pe- 
trie. As the Indians entered the mill, the occupants endeavored to escape as fast as they 
could — some leaping from the windows, and others endeavoring to conceal themselves be- 
low. It was night, and two of the number, Cox and Skinner, succeeded in ensconcing 
themselves in the race-way, beneath the water-wheel — Skinner having previously made 
fight hand to hand, and been wounded by a cut from a tomahawk. Two of their com. 
panions, Christian Edick and Frederick Getman, leaped into the race-way above the mill, 
and endeavored to conceal themselves by keeping as much under water as possible. But 
the application of the torch to the mills soon revealed the aquatic retreat, and they were 
taken. Not so with Cox and Skinner, who survived the storm of battle, and the mingled 
elements of fire and water ; the showers of coals and burning brands being at once extin- 
guished as they fell around them, while the water-wheel served as an effectual protection 
against the falling timbers. The enemy retired after accomplishing their object, carrying 
away five or six prisoners." — Life of Brant. 

Manheim, taken from Palatine in 1797; from Albany 69 miles. 
Manheim, on the Utica turnpike and railroad, 14 miles east from Her- 
kimer, is a small village. Manheim Centre is a post-office. This 



HERKIMER COUNTY. 199 

town was settled by Germans in 1770. During the revolution the 
inhabitants were driven from their possessions. Pop. 2,095. 

Newport, taken from Norway, Fairfield, and Schuyler in 1806 ; 
from Albany 95, from Herkimer N. centrally distant 13 miles. Pop. 
2,020. Newport village has about 100 dwellings. Middleport is a 
small village, partly in the town of Fairfield. 

Norway, taken from Herkimer in 1792; from Albany 90, from 
Herkimer N. centrally distant 18 miles. Pop. 1,046. Norway is 
a small village. 

Ohio, erected from West Brunswick ; from Herkimer centrally dis- 
tant N. 22 miles. Pop. 692. West Brunswick is the post-office. 

Russia, originally named Union, and taken from Norway in 1806; 
from Albany 94, centrally distant NNW. from Herkimer 20 miles. 
Pop. 2,198. Russia and Poland are small villages ; Cold Brook and 
Portville, post-offices. 

Salisbury, taken from Palatine in 1817 ; from Albany 76 miles. 
It has a mountainous surface, with broad valleys on the northeast. 
Salisbury 14 NE., Salisbury Centre 17 miles, and Winton, are small 
villages. Pop. 1,859. 

Schuyler, taken from Herkimer in 1792; from Albany 86, cen- 
trally distant from Herkimer 8, and from Utica 6 miles. East Schuy- 
ler and West Schuyler are post-offices. Pop. 1,798. 

Stark, taken from Danube in 1828 ; from Albany centrally distant 
29, from Herkimer SE. 16 miles. Pop. 1,706. Vanhornsville is a 
small village, and Starkville a post-office. " The Otsquake creek in 
this town, flowing 9 miles to the Mohawk river, is remarkable for the 
number and extent of the calcareous incrustations and petrifactions 
along its banks and tributaries near its source. A fine example is pre- 
sented of the former about half a mile above the first mill, where a tu- 
faceous rock stretches across the dell from 60 to 70 yards, with a 
breadth of 16, and a height of 2 yards, enclosing masses of petrified 
wood. The most perfect petrification, in a ravine of a small stream de- 
scending to the creek, is the trunk of a hemlock tree, 2 feet in diameter, 
in which the concentric circles and color of the wood are admirably 
preserved. This curious laboratory of stone is still in action." — Gor- 
don's Gazeteer. 

Warren, taken from German Flats in 1796 ; from Albany 68, from 
Herkimer centrally distant S. 10 miles. Subterranean streams burst 
forth here in large volumes sufficient for hydraulic purposes. Pages 
Corners and Grains Corners are post-offices, and Little Lakes a small 
village. Pop. 2,003. 

WiNFiELD, taken from Richfield and Plainfield of Otsego county, 
and Litchfield of Herkimer county, in 1816; from Albany 75, from 
Herkimer SW. 15 miles. Winfield and West Winfield are small 
villages. Pop. 1,652. 

WiLMURT comprises the whole northern and unsettled section of 
the county: inlengthabout50, and in breadth about 16 miles. Pop. 60. 



200 



JEFFERSON COUNTY. 



JEFFERSON COUNTY. 

Jefferson county, taken from Oneida in 1805, is situated at the 
E. end of Lake Ontario, and on the St. Lawrence river, comprising 
Chaumont bay, and most of the islets called the " Thousand Isles," 
and is a territory having as many natural advantages as any portion 
of the interior of the state. It is centrally distant NW. from New 
York 305, and from Albany 160 miles. Length N. and S. 48 miles ; 
greatest breadth E. and W. 36. This county in its surface is either 
quite level or agreeably diversified, waving in gentle undulations. 
Generally, the soil is of a sandy loam of a superior quality, with some 
gravel and clay, and yields abundant crops. The natural growth ol 
timber is luxuriant. Originally it was covered with trees of an enor- 
mous height. The many and very rapid streams of this county furnish 
an abundance of hydraulic power. The cattle sent to market from this 
county exceed 4,000 head per annum. Its horses are equal to any 
in the state, and their sale is a source of much revenue. The raising 
of sheep is a growing business. The roads in the county are numer- 
ous and good ; among which may be noticed a turnpike from Brown- 
ville to Cape Vincent, 21 miles, the St. Lawrence and Ogdensburg 
turnpikes, and the great military road between Sacketts Harbor and 
Plattsburg, on Lake Champlain. About one half of the exports de- 
scend to Montreal. It is divided into 19 towns. Pop. 61,028. 




Southern view of Adams, Jefferson County. 

Adams, taken from Mexico, 1st April, 1802 ; NW. from Albany 149 
miles. It was originally the property of Mr. Nicholas Low, of New 
York, and was settled in 1801, by New England emigrants. Among 
the early settlers were David Smith, Elihu Morton, a Mr. Brown, 
and the Salisbury family. Here have been found many of those an- 



JEFFERSON COUNTY. 201 

cient works so common in the western country. Pieces of coarse 
earthenware and pipes have frequently been met with, and old stone 
hearths, many feet under ground. There have also been discovered 
seven of the tumular remains, of moderate height, with the ditch en- 
circling them, the area from a half to two acres each. Adams vil- 
lage, 14 miles south of Watertown, has 1 Presbyterian and 1 Meth- 
odist church, a select school, a seminary for young ladies, and 120 
dwellings. 

The preceding view of the central part of the village was taken a few 
rods south of the bridge, in the principal street. The academy stee- 
ple and the Presbyterian church are seen on the right, and the bridge 
in the centre of the engraving. Adams Centre contains a church 
belonging to the society of the Seven-day Baptists. Appling and 
Smithville are post villages. Pop. of the town, 2,941. 

Alexandria, settled by New Englanders in 1817; taken from 
Brownville and Le Ray in 1821, including the islands in the St. Law- 
rence river fronting the town. Pop. 3,472. The river, from two to 
five miles in width, is speckled by the " Thousand Isles." Indian 
river flows across the east part of the town, having falls of 80 feet 
near Theresa. There are here many useful mill-streams, and 12 
small lakes well stocked with fish. Alexandria village, on the St. Law- 
rence, 30 miles above Ogdensburg, has about 30 dwellings. Theresa, 
25 miles from Ogdensburg, has about 25 dwellings. Plessis, Milita- 
ry Road, and Redwood, are post-offices. 

Antwerp, taken from Le Ray in 1810. Antwerp, upon Indian 
river, 164 miles from Albany, and 20 NE. of Watertown, has about 
40 or 50 dwellings. Oxbow, on the Oxbow of the Oswegatchie river, 
25 miles NE. from "Watertown, has about 30 dwellings. One mile 
west of the village is a rock called " pulpit rock," in the form of a 
pulpit, where pubUc worship has occasionally been performed. Pop. 
3,108. 

Brownville, taken from Leyden in 1802 ; surface level ; soil mar- 
ley loam on limestone, of excellent quality, and highly improved, and 
producing much wheat. The town has its name from Mr. John 
Brown, an early settler, and father of the late Gen. Brown. Brown- 
ville, on the right bank of the Black river, 3 miles from its mouth, 
and at the head of navigation, 4 miles below Watertown, is a large 
manufacturing village, containing about 100 dwellings, and 1 Presby- 
terian, 1 Episcopal, and 1 Methodist church. The fall of the river 
here is 24 feet. Dexter is a small but flourishing village, at the head 
of navigation, on Black river, a few miles below Brownville. Li- 
merick and Perch River are post-offices. Pop. 3,972. 

Champion, settled principally by emigrants from Connecticut; taken 
from Mexico in 1800 ; from Albany 148 miles, from Watertown E. 
centrally distant 12 miles, and drained by the Black river. Cham- 
pion and Great Bend are small post villages. Pop. 2,206. 

Clayton, taken from Orleans and Lyme in 1832; from Albany 
180 miles, from Watertown centrally distant N. 14 miles. Depau- 
ville and French Creek are small villages. Pop. 4,042. 

25 



202 JEFFERSON COUNTY. 

Ellisburg, settled in 1793, by Mr. Lyman Ellis, and taken from 
Mexico in 1803; from Watertown centrally distant SW. 17, from 
Albany 169 miles. Pop. 5,356. Bellville, Woodville, Ellisburg, and 
Mannsville, are small post villages. There are in the north part of 
the town some remains of ancient fortifications, consisting of seven 
mounds, surrounded by ditches, varying from a half to two acres in 
area. Stone instruments, as axes, wedges, knives, &c., are ploughed 
up from time to time in the adjacent fields. 

Henderson, taken from Ellisburg in 1806 ; from Albany 173 miles. 
Pop. 2,478. Henderson is a post village and port, at the head of 
Hungry bay, where vessels of 100 tons may find safe harborage. 
At the dock there are about 15 or 20 dwellings. At the village, on 
Stony creek, three quarters of a mile from the dock, there are about 
70 dwellings. Smithville, 12 miles SW. from Watertown, and 5 
from Sacketts Harbor, has about 65 dwellings. 

The following account of an action which took place in this town 
during the late war with Great Britain, is from a newspaper published 
at that time, entitled " The War." 

" On the 30th ult., (May, 1814,) a number of boats coming from Oswego, with cannon 
and rigging for the new vessels, put into Sandy Creek, about 16 miles from the harbor, — 
being well manned with sailors, riflemen, and Indians, under the command of Capt. Wool- 
sey of the navy ; who, on entering the creek, despatched an express for reinforcements, 
which were inmiediately ordered on, but they did not arrive until the business was over. 
The captain apprehending an attack, placed the riflemen and Indians in the woods on each 
side of the creek, and sent a few raw militia, with the show of opposing the enemy's land- 
ing. The plan succeeded. The mihtia retreated on the first fire, pursued by the enemy ; 
but as soon as they had passed the Indians and riflemen, who were in ambush, these last 
attacked them in the rear, while a battery of four field-pieces opened upon them in front. 
Thus cut oflfin their retreat, after a sinart action of 20 minutes, in which they had 20 killed 
and 40 or 50 wounded, the whole force of the enemy, 137 in number, surrendered with 
their gun-boats, five in number. — One of these boats carried a 681b. carronade ; one, a long 
32 ; one, a long 24 ; one, two long 12s. ; and one, two brass pieces ; one of which they 
threw overboard. Not a man escaped. There were among the enemy's killed, one Lieut, 
of marines, and one midshipman. Among the prisoners are two Post Captains, one the 
commander of the Wolf, 4 lieutenants, and 4 midshipmen. The British force consisted of 
sailors and marines. Our loss, is one Indian killed and three wounded. The prisoners 
were conducted to Sacketts Harbor by the militia. — Another gun-boat from the British 
fleet, with 36 men, went up the creek, where they were attacked and captured after a few 
shots." 

HouNSFiELD, taken from Watertown in 1806; drained west by 
Black river and some small creeks. This town was settled in 1801, 
by Augustus Sackett, agent for the owners. Pop. 4,143. 

Sacketts Harbor, incorporated in 1821, on the SW. side of Black 
river bay, on Lake Ontario. The settlement of this town was com- 
menced in 1802, by Augustus Sackett, Esq., agent for the owners, 
who came from New York and settled at the harbor which derives 
its name from him. The first house built here, erected by Judge 
Sackett, is now standing in Baird-street, and is occupied by Mrs. 
McGwinn. The progress of the settlement was slow until 1812. 
After the declaration of war this spot became an important mili- 
tary and naval position. The harbor is the best on the lake for 
shipbuilding and as a naval depot. The following view was taken 
from the military hospital. The small building on the point of the 



JJEFPEESON COUNXy. 



203 




Northern view of Sacketts Harbor, N. Y. 

harbor, on the right of the engraving, is the old blockhouse which 
stands near, or on the site of old Fort Tompkins. The large build- 
ing on a rocky island a few rods from the shore, is a ship-house, 
which covers the frame of the "New Orleans," a 110 gun ship com- 
menced during the late war. The steeple on the left is that of the 
Presbyterian church. There is also an Episcopal and a Methodist 
church in the place, and about 1,800 inhabitants. A considerable 
trade is carried on here by the lake and St. Lawrence river, and by 
the Oswego, Erie, and Welland canals. After the late war, business 
very much decreased, but it has since grown with the general im- 
provement of the country. 

The troops destined for the attack upon York, (U. C.) embarked 
from this place. The following account of the expedition is from 
Thompson's History of the late war : 

" On the 22d and 23d of April, 1S13, agreeably to previous arrangement with Commo- 
dore Chauncey, who had the command of the fleet on Lake Ontario, General Dearborn 
and his suite, with a force of seventeen hundred men, embarked on this expedition, but the 
prevalence of a violent storm prevented the sailing of the squadron, until the 25th. On 
that day it moved into Lake Ontario, and having a favorable wind, arrived safely at 7 
o'clock, on the morning of the 27th, about one mile to the westward of the ruins of Fort 
Toronto, and two and a half from the town of York. The execution of that part of the 
plan which applied immediately to the attack upon York, was confided to Colonel Pike, of 
the 15th regiment, who had then been promoted to the rank of a brigadier.general, and the 
position which had been fixed upon for landing the troops, was the site of the old fort. 
The approach of the fleet being discovered from the enemy's garrison, General Sheaffe, the 
British commandant, hastily collected his whole force, consisting of upwards of seven 
hundred and fifty regulars and militia, and one hundred Indians, and disposed them in the 
best manner to resist the landing of the American force. A body of British grenadiers 
were paraded on the shore, and the Glengary fencibles, a corps which had been disciplined 
with uncommon pains since the commencement of the war, were stationed at another 
point. Bodies of Indians were observed in groups in different directions, in and about the 
woods below the site of the fort, and numbers of horsemen were stationed in the clear 
ground surrounding it. These were seen moving into the town, where strong field works 
had been thrown up to oppose the assailants. The Indians were taking post at stations, 
which were pointed out to them by the British officers with great skill, from which they 
could annoy the Americans at the point where the water and the weather would compel 
them to land. Thus posted, they were to act as tin-ailleurs. The regulars were discov 
ered to be moving out of their works in open columns of platoons, and marching along the 
bank in that order into the woods. 



204 JEFFERSON COUNTY. 

" At 8 o'clock the debarka'ion commenced ; at ten it was completed. Major Forsythe 
and his riflemen in several large batteaux, were in the advance. They pulled vigorously 
for the designated ground at the site, but were forced by a strong easterly wind a consid- 
erable distance above. The enemy being within a few feet of the water, and completely 
masked by the thickness of a copse, commenced a galling fire of musketry and rifle. To 
have fallen further from the clear ground at which he was first ordered to land, would have 
subjected, not only his own corps, but the whole body of the troops, to great disadvantages ; 
and by landing at a greater distance from the town, the object of the expedition might be 
frustrated. Major Forsythe therefore determined upon making that part of the shore on 
which the enemy's principal strength was stationed, and desired his men to rest a moment 
on their oars, until his riflemen should return the shot. General Pike was at this moment 
hastening the debarkation of the infantry, when, as he was standing on the ship's deck, he 
observed the pause of the boats in advance, and springing into that which had been reserved 
for himself and his slafT, he called to them to jump into the boat with him, ordered Major 
King of the 15ih (the same who had distinguished himself in carrying the enemy's batteries 
opposite Black Rock,) to follow him instantly with three companies of that regiment, and 
pushed for the Canadian shore. Before he reached it, Forsythe had landed and was already 
engaged with the principal part of the British and Indian force, under the immediate com- 
mand of General SheatTe. He contended with them nearly half an hour. The infantry 
under Major King, the light artillery under Major Eustis, the volunteer corps commanded 
by Colonel M'Clure, and about thirty men, who had been selected from the 15th at Platts- 
burg, trained to the rifle, and designed to act as a small corps of observation, under Lieu- 
tenant Riddle, then landed in rapid succession, and formed in platoons. General Pike took 
command of the first, and ordering the whole body to prepare for a charge, led them on to 
tiie summit of the bank, from which the British grenadiers were pouring down a volley of 
musketry and rifle shot. The advance of the American infantry was not to be withstood, 
and the grenadiers yielded their position and retired in disorder. The signal of victory was 
at the same instant heard from Forsythe's bugles, and the sound had no sooner penetrated 
the ears of the Indians, than they gave a customary yell and fled in every direction. The 
Glengary corps then skirmished with Forsythe's, whilst a fresh body of Grenadiers, sup- 
posed to have been the 8th or King's regiment, made a formidable charge upon the Amer- 
ican column, and partially compelled it to retire. But the officers instantly rallied the 
troops, who returned to the ground, and impetuously charged upon, and routed the grena. 
diers. A reinforcement of the remainder of the 15th then arrived, with Captain Steel's 
platoon and the standards of the regiment, and the Americans remained undisputed mas- 
ters of the ground. A fresh front, however, was presented by the British at a distance, 
which gave way and retired to the garrison, as soon as the American troops were again 
formed by Major King, for the charge. The whole body of the troops being now landed, 
orders were given by General Pike to form in platoons, and to march in that order to the 
enemy's works. The first line was composed of Forsythe's riflemen, with front and flank 
guards ; the regiments of the first brigade, with their pieces ; and three platoons of reserve, 
under the orders of Major Swan ; Major Eustis and his train of artillery were formed in 
the rear of this reserve, to act where circumstances might require. The second line was 
composed of the 21st regiment, in six platoons, flanked by Col. M'Clure's volunteers, di- 
vided equally as light troops, and all under command of Colonel Ripley. Thus formed, an 
injunction was given to each officer, to suffisr no man to load ; when within a short distance 
of the enemy, an entire reliance would be placed upon the bayonet; and the column moved 
on, with as much velocity as the streams and ravines which intersected the road along the 
lake would permit. One field-piece, and a howitzer, were with difficulty passed over one 
of these, the bridges of which had been destroyed, and placed at the head of the column, 
in charge of Lieutenant Fanning, of the 3d artillery. As the column emerged from the 
woods, and came immediately in front of the enemy's first battery, two or three 24 pound- 
ers were opened upon it, but without any kind of eflfect. The column moved on, and the 
enemy retreated to his second battery. The guns of the first were immediately taken, and 
Lieutenant Riddle, having at this moment come up with his corps to deliver the prisoners 
which he had made in the woods, was ordered to proceed to take possession of the second 
battery, about one hundred yards ahead, the guns of which. Lieutenant Fraser, aid-de-camp 
to the general, reported to have been spiked by the enemy, whom he discovered retreating 
to the garrison. General Pike then led the column up to the second battery, where he 
halted to receive the captured ammunition, and to learn the strength of the garrison. But 
as every appearance indicated the evacuation of the barracks, he suspected the enemy of 
an intention to draw him within range of the shot, and then suddenly to show himself in 
great force. Lieutenant Riddle was sent forward with his corps of observation, to discover 
if thert were any^ and what number of trotjpe, within the garrison. The barracks were 



JEFFERSON COUNTY. 205 

three hundred yards distant from the second battery, and whilst this corps was engaged in 
reconnoitering, General Pike, after removing a wounded prisoner from a dangerous situa- 
ation, had seated himself upon a stump, and commenced an examination of a British ser. 
geant, who had been taken in the woods. Riddle having discovered that the enemy had 
abandoned the garrison, was about to return with this information, when the magazine, 
which was situated outside the barrack yard, blew up, with a tremendous and awful explo- 
sion, passed over Riddle and his party, without injuring one of his men, and killed and 
wounded General Pike, and two hundred and sixty of the column. The severity of Gen- 
eral Pike's wounds disabled him from further service, and the command of the troops de- 
volved upon Colonel Pearce of the 16th regiment, who sent a demand to the town of York 
for an immediate surrender. The plan of the contemplated operations was known only to 
General Pike, and, as General Dearborn had not yet landed, the future movements of the 
troops would depend upon the will of their new commander. He ordered them immedi- 
ately to forin the column, and to march forward and occupy the barracks, which Major 
Forsythe, who had been scouring the adjoining wood, had already entered. Meanwhile 
the British regulars were retreating across the Don, and destroying the bridges in their rear. 
After the explosion, vyhich killed about fifty of the enemy who had not retired in time from 
the garrison, Lieutenant Riddle with his party, then reinforced by thirty regulars under 
Lieutenant Horrel of the 16th, pursued the enemy's route, and annoyed his retreating guard 
from the wood. This was the only pursuit which was made. Had a more vigorous push 
followed the abandonment of the enemy's garrison, his whole regular force must have been 
captured, and the accession of military stores would have been extensively great. The 
majority of the officers were well aware of this, and as it was known that the stores were 
deposited at York, they urged the necessity of the immediate approach of the whole column, 
to prevent their removal. Colonel Pearce then marched towards the town, which was dis- 
tant three-quarters of a mile. About half way between York and the garrison, the column 
was intercepted by several officers of the Canadian mihtia, who had come out with terms of 
capitulation. Whilst these were discussing, the enemy was engaged in destroying the mil- 
itary storehouse, and a large vessel of war then on the stocks, which in three days might 
have been launched, and added to the American squadron on Ontario. Forsythe, who was 
on the left in advance, being aware of this, despatched Lieutenant Riddle to inform Col- 
onel Pearce. Colonel Ripley was at the same time urging a rapid march, and the troops 
again proceeded. Colonel Pearce enjoined the observance of General Pike's orders, that 
the property of the inhabitants of York should be held sacred, and that any soldier who 
should so far neglect the honor of his profession, as to be guilty of plundering, should, on 
conviction, be punished with death. At 4 o'clock in the afternoon, the Americans were in 
possession of the town, and terms of capitulation were agreed upon, by which, notwith. 
standing the severe loss which the army and the nation had sustained by the death of the 
general ; the unwarrantable manner in which that loss was occasioned ; and the subtlety 
with which the militia colonels offered to capitulate at a distance from the town, so that the 
column might be detained until General Sheaffe should escape, and the destruction of the 
public property be completed, although one of its articles stipulated for its delivery into the 
hands of the Americans ; the militia and inhabitants were freed from all hardship, and not 
only their persons and property, but their legislative hall and other public buildings were 
protected. The terms of the capitulation were, ' that the troops, regular and militia, and 
the naval officers and seamen, should be surrendered prisoners of war. That all public 
stores, naval and military, should be immediately given up to the commanding officers of 
the army and navy of the United States, and that all private property should be guaranteed 
to the citizens of the town of York. That all papers belonging to the civil officers should 
be retained by them, and that such surgeons as might be procured to attend the wounded 
of the British regulars and Canadian militia, should not be considered prisoners of war.' 
Under this capitulation, one lieutenant-colonel, one major, thirteen captains, nine heuten. 
ants, eleven ensigns, one deputy adjutant-general, and four naval officers, and two hundred 
and fifty-one non-commissioned officers and privates, were surrendered. The American 
infantry were then ordered to return to, and quarter in the barracks, while the riflemen 
were stationed in the town. 

" When General Pike's wound was discovered to be mortal, he was 
removed from the field, and carried to the shipping with his wounded 
aids. As they conveyed him to the water's edge, a sudden exclama- 
tion was heard from the troops, which informed him of the American 
having supplanted the British standard in the garrison. He expressed 
his satisfaction by a feeble sigh, and after being transferred from the 



206 JEFFERSON COUNTY. 

Pert schooner to the commodore's ship, he made a sign for the British 
flag, which had then been brought to him, to be placed under his 
head, and expired without a groan. Thus perished in the arms of 
victory, by the ungenerous stratagem of a vanquished foe, a soldier 
of tried valor and mvincible courage, — a general of illustrious virtues 
and distinguished talents. 

" When the British general saw the American column advancing 
from the woods, he hastily drew up the articles of capitulation, and 
directed them to be delivered to a colonel of the York militia. This 
colonel was instructed to negotiate the terms, after the regulars 
should have retreated. General Sheaffe, therefore, considered the 
garrison to be as much surrendered, as if the articles had been act- 
ually agreed upon and signed. Yet he treacherously ordered a train 
to be laid, which was so calculated, that the explosion of the maga- 
zine should be caused at the time when the Americans would arrive 
at the barracks. Had not General Pike halted the troops at the en- 
emy's second battery, the British plan would have attained its con- 
summation, and the destruction of the whole column would have been 
the natural consequence. The train had been skilfully laid, and the 
combustibles arranged in a manner to produce the most dreadful 
effect. Five hundred barrels of powder, several cart loads of stone, 
and an immense quantity of iron, shells, and shot, were contained in 
the magazine. The calamity which followed the explosion, caused 
no discomfiture among the troops. A number of their officers of 
high rank, and of equal worth, were either killed or wounded, and 
they became actuated by a desire to revenge their fall. ' Push on, 
my brave fellows, and avenge your general,' were the last words of 
their expiring commander. They instantly gave three cheers, formed 
the column, and marched on rapidly. Had they been led directly to 
York, the issue of the expedition would have been fruitful with ad- 
vantages. As it was, however, the enemy's means were crippled, his 
resources cut off, and the military stores of the captors extensively 
multiplied. Most of the guns, munitions of war, and provisions, ne- 
cessary to carry on the campaign by the enemy, had been deposited 
at York, and notwithstanding the firing of the principal storehouse, 
an immense quantity fell into the hands of the Americans. The 
baggage and private papers of General Sheaffe were left at York, in 
the precipitation of his flight, and proved to be a valuable acquisition 
to the American commander. These and the public stores were the 
only articles of capture. The conduct of the troops needed no re- 
straint. Though their indignation was highly excited, by the circum- 
stance of a scalp having been found suspended near the speaker's 
chair, in the legislative chamber, neither the ornaments of the cham- 
ber, the building itself, nor the public library, was molested. A large 
quantity of flour, deposited in the public stores, was distributed among 
the inhabitants, on condition that it should be used for their own con- 
sumption ; and those whose circumstances were impoverished, were 
supplied with many other articles of the captured provisions. The 
balance was taken on board the fleet, with the naval stores, or de- 
stroyed upon the shore. 



JEFFERSON COUNTY. 207 

" Immediately after the fall of General Pike, the commander-in-chief landed with his 
staff, but he did not reach the troops until they had entered York. He there made arrange, 
ments to expedite their departure for the other objects of the expedition, and they were 
soon after re-embarked. 

" The co-operation of the squadron was of the greatest importance in the attack upon the 
enemy's garrison. As soon as the debarkation was completed. Commodore Chauncey di- 
rected the schooners to take a position near the forts, in order that the attack of the army 
and navy might, if possible, be simultaneous. The larger vessels could not be brought up, 
and in consequence of the wind, the schooners were obliged to beat up to their intended 
position. This they did, under a very heavy fire from the enemy's batteries, and having 
taken their station within six hundred yards of the principal fort, opened a galling fire, and 
contributed very much to its destruction. The loss on board the squadron, was three killed 
and eleven wounded. Among the killed were midshipmen Thompson and Hatfield, the 
latter of whom, in his dying moments, had no other care than to know if he had performed 
his duty to his country. 

" In the action the loss of the American army was trifling ; but in consequence of the 
explosion, it was much greater than the enemy's loss in killed and wounded. Fourteen 
were killed and thirty.two wounded in battle, and thirty.eight were killed and two hundred 
and twenty-two wounded by the explosion, so that the total American loss amounted to 
320 men. Among those who fell by the explosion, besides General Pike, were seven cap- 
tains, seven subalterns, one aid-de-camp, one acting aid, and one volunteer aid. The en- 
emy's loss in killed and wounded amounted to two hundred, and in prisoners to five hun- 
dred and fifty. His wounded were left in the houses on the road leading to and in the 
neighborhood of York, and were attended to by the American army and navy surgeons. 
The prisoners were all paroled, and the troops withdrawn from York immediately after its 
capture." 

The following is an account of the attack on Sackett's Harbor 
by the British, May, 1813: 

" Whilst the troops were preparing to embark at York, for the expedition against Fort 
George, the British at Kingston, having gained intelligence of their absence from Sackett's 
Harbor, of the batteries at that place having been principally dismantled, and of the small- 
ness of the force which had been left for its protection, hastily collected all their disposables, 
and embarked on board their fleet, under the command of Sir George Prevost. The fleet 
was commanded by Sir James Yeo. On the night of the 27th day of May, five hours after 
the capture of Fort George, the British appeared off the entrance to the harbor. The 
American force consisted of two hundred invalids, and two hundred and fifty dragoons, 
then newly arrived from a long and fatiguing march. Two small vessels, under Lieutenant 
Chauncey, were stationed at its mouth, and gave instant signals of alarm, at the approach 
of the British squadron. Expresses were immediately forwarded to General Brown, then 
at his seat, eight miles from the harbor, and he immediately repaired thither, to take the 
command. 

" The tour of duty of the militia of his brigade had expired many weeks before, but he 
had been requested by General Dearborn to take the command of the harbor, at any time 
when the enemy should approach it, and to provide for its defence. Immediately on his 
arrival, dispositions were made to that effect. The movements of the enemy indicated his 
intention to land on the peninsula, called Horse Island. General Brown, therefore, deter- 
mined on resisting him at the water's edge, with the Albany volunteers, under Colonel 
Mills, and such militia as could be instantly collected. Alarm guns were therefore fired, 
and expresses sent out for that purpose. Lieutenant-colonel Backus, of the first regiment 
of United States dragoons, who commanded at Sackett's Harbor in the absence of the 
officers who had proceeded to Fort George, was to form a second line with the regulars. 
The regular artillerists were stationed in Fort Tompkins, and the defence of Navy Point 
was committed to Lieutenant Chauncey. 

" On the 28th, the Wolfe, the Royal George, the Prince Regent, the Earl of Moira, and 
one brig, two schooners, and two gun-boats, with thirty-three flat-bottomed boats and 
barges, containing in all twelve hundred troops, appeared in the ofling, at five miles dis- 
tance. They were standing their course for the harbor, when, having discovered a fleet of 
American barges, coming round Stony Point with troops from Oswego, the whole of their 
boats were immediately despatched to cut them off. They succeeded in taking twelve of 
them, after they had been run on shore and abandoned by their crews, who arrived at the 
harbor in the night. The remainder, seven in number, escaped from their pursuers, and 
^t safely in. The British commanders, being then under an impression that other barges 



208 JEFFERSON COUNTY. 

would be sailing from Oswego, stood into South bay, and despatched their armed boats to 
waylay them. In this they were disappointed ; and during the delay which was caused by 
this interruption of their intended operations, the militia from the neighboring counties col. 
lected at the harbor, and betrayed great eagerness to engage in the contest wiih the in- 
vading enemy. They were ordered to be stationed on the water side, near the island on 
which Colonel Mills was posted with his volunteers. The strength at that point was near- 
ly five hundred men. But the whole force, including the regulars, effectives and invalids, 
did not e.\ceed one thousand. The plan of defence had been conceived with great skill, 
and if the conduct of the militia had proved to be consistent with their promises, it would 
have been executed with equal ability. Disposed of as the forces were, in the event of 
General Brown's being driven from his position at Horse Island, Colonel Backus was to ad- 
vance with his reserve of regulars, and meet the head of the enemy's column, whilst the 
general would rally his corps, and fall upon the British flanks. If resistance to the at- 
tack of the enemy should still fail. Lieutenant Chauncey was to destroy the stores at Navy 
Point, and to retire with his two schooners, and the prize schooner, the Duke of Gloucester, 
which had been a few weeks before captured from the enemy, to the south shore of the 
bay, and east of Fort Volunteer. In this fort the regulars and militia were to shut them, 
selves up, and make a vigorous stand, as their only remaining resort. Every thing being 
thus ordered. General Brown directed his defensive army to lay upon their arms, whilst he 
continued personally to reconnoitre the shores of the harbor, during the whole night of the 
28th. At the only favorable point of landing, he had caused a breast-work to be thrown 
up, and a battery en barbette to be erected. Behind this most of the militia were stationed. 
" At the dawn of the 29th, the enemy was discovered with his vessels drawn up in line, 
between Horse Island and Stony Point; and m a few minuses, all his boats and barges 
approached the shore, under cover of his gun-boats, those being the heaviest of his vessels 
which, in consequence of the lightness of the winds, could be brought up. The troops 
with which the boats were filled, were commanded by Sir George Prevost, in person. 
Commodore Yeo directed the movements of the barges. General Brown instantly issued 
his orders, that the troops should lay close, and reserve their fire until the enemy should 
have approached so near, that every shot might take effect. This order was executed, and 
the fire was so destructive, that the enemy's advance boats were obliged to make a tempo- 
rary pause, and numbers of their officers and men were seen to fall. Encouraged by the 
desired effect of the first fire, the militia loaded their pieces with the utmost quickness, and 
the artillery was ordered to be opened at the moment of their second. But, before the 
second round had been completely discharged, the whole body of the militia, none of whom 
had ever seen an enemy until now, and who were entirely unaccustomed to subordination, 
though they were well protected by the breastwork, rose from behind it, and abandoning 
those honorable promises of noble daring which they had made but a little while before, 
they fled with equal precipitation and disorder. A strange and unaccountable panic seized 
the whole line ; and with the exception of a very few, terror and dismay were depicted in 
every countenance. Colonel Mills, vainly endeavoring to rally his men, was killed as he 
was reminding them of the solemn pledges which they had given ; but the fall of this brave 
oflicer served rather to increase their confusion, than to actuate them to revenge it. 

" General Brown seeing that his plan was already frustrated, and 
fearing his inability to execute any other without the vigorous co-op- 
eration of the militia, hastened to intercept their retreat ; and, finding 
one company, of about one hundred men, who had been rallied by 
the active and zealous conduct of Capt. M'Nitt, of that corps, he 
brought them up, and ordered them to form in line with the regulars 
and volunteers, who had continued to keep their ground. 

" In the interval which had thus elapsed, the enemy had effected 
his debarkation, with little opposition ; and drawing up his whole 
force on Horse Island, he commenced his march for the village ; on 
the road to which, he was met by a small party of infantry, under 
Major Aspinwall, and a few dismounted dragoons under Major Laval, 
who opposed him with much gallantry. Two of the gun-boats 
ranged up the shore, and covered the field with grape. This handful 
of troops then gradually retired in good order, from an immense su- 
periority of numbers, and occupied the intervals between the barracks. 



JEFFERSON COUNTY. 209 

" Lieutenant-colonel Backus, with his reserve of regulars, first en 
gaged the enemy, when the militia company of Captain M'Nitt was 
formed on his flank ; and in the vigorous fight which then followed, 
this company behaved with as much gallantry as the bravest of the 
regulars. The whole force was compelled to fall back, however, by 
the superior strength of the enemy's column, and resorting to the 
barracks for what shelter they could afford, they posted themselves 
in the unprotected log houses, and kept up an incessant and effective 
fire. From these, the most violent assaults, and the repeated and 
varying efforts of the British, were incompetent to dislodge them. 
Colonel Gray, the quartermaster-general of the enemy's forces, ad- 
vanced to the weakest part of the barracks, at the head of a column 
of regulars, and after exchanging shots with an inferior party of mili- 
tia and regulars, led his men on to the assault. A small boy, who 
was a drummer in Major Aspinwall's corps, seized a musket, and lev- 
elling it at the colonel, immediately brought him to the ground. At 
that moment Lieutenant Fanning, of the artillery, who had been so 
severely wounded by the explosion at Little York, and was yet con- 
sidered to be unable to do any kind of duty, leaned upon his piece 
whilst it was drawn up, and having given it the proper elevation, dis- 
charged three rounds of grape into the faces of the enemy, who im- 
mediately fell back in disorder. At this instant, Lieutenant-colonel 
Backus fell, severely wounded. 

" Whilst the battle was raging with its greatest violence, informa- 
tion was brought to Lieutenant Chauncey, of the intention of the 
American forces to surrender. He therefore, in conformity to his 
previous orders, relating to such an event, fired the navy barracks, 
and destroyed all the property and public stores, which had pre- 
viously belonged to the harbor, as well as the provisions and equip- 
ments which had been brought from York. The destruction of these 
buildings, and the conflagration which was thence produced, was 
thought to have been caused by the troops of the enemy, and although 
the undisciplined militia and volunteers, and the invalid regulars, were 
suspicious of being placed between the fire of two divisions of the 
enemy, they continued to fight on, regardless of their inferiority, or 
the consequences of their capture. 

" General Brown was all this time actively superintending the operations of his little 
army. He now determined on making a diversion in its favor, which, if it should be suc- 
cessful, would be the only means of saving the place, or of relieving his exhausted troops. 
Having learned that the mihtia, who had fled from their stations in the early part of the en- 
gagement, had not yet entirely dispersed, and that they were still within a short distance 
of the scene of action, he hastened to exhort them to imitate the conduct of their brave 
brethren in arms. He reproached them with shameful timidity, and ordered them instantly 
to form and follow him, and threatened with instant death the first man who should refuse. 
His order was obeyed with alacrity. He then attempted a stratagem, by which to deceive 
the enemy, with regard to the forces against which he was contending. Silently passing 
through a distant wood, which led towards the place at which the enemy had landed, Gen. 
eral Brown persuaded the British general of his intention to gain the rear of his forces, to 
take possession of the boats, and effectually to cut off their retreat. 

'' This was done with such effect, at the moment when the fire of Lieutenant Fanning's 
piece had caused the destruction in the British line, that General Sir George Prevost was 
well convinced of the vast superiority of the American force to his own. He gave up all 
thoughts of the capture of the place, and hurrying to his boats, put off immediately to the 

27 



210 JEFFERSON COUNTY. 

British squadron. He was not pursued, because, if the real number of the American 
troops had been exposed to his view, he would have returned to the contest, might easily 
have outflanked, and in ail human probability, would still have captured the army and the 
village. 

" But the precipitation of his flight was such, fhat he left not only the wounded bodies of 
his ordinary men upon the held, but those of the dead and wounded of ihe most distin- 
guished of his officers. Among these were Quartermaster-general Gray, Majors Moodie 
and Evans, and three captains. The return of his loss, as accurately as it has been ascer- 
tained, amounted to three field officers, one captain, and twenty-five rank and file, found 
dead on the field ; two captains and twenty rank and file found wounded ; and two cap. 
tains, one ensign, and thirty-two rank and file made prisoners. In addition to which, many 
were killed in the boats, and numbers had been carried away previously to the retreat. 
The loss of the Americans was greater in proportion, as the number of their men engaged 
were less. One colonel of volunteers, twenty regulars, privates, and one volunteer private, 
were killed ; one lieutenant-colonel, three lieutenants, and one ensign of the regulars, and 
seventy-nine non-commissioned officers and privates, were wounded ; and twenty-six non- 
commissioned officers and privates were missing. Their aggregate loss was one hundred 
and ten regulars, twenty-one volunteers, and twenty-five militia ; making a total of one 
hundred and fifty-six. It was severe, because of the worth, more than of the number of 
those who fell. The injury in public stores, sustained at Sackett's Harbor, though not by 
any act of the invading enemy, was extensive ; but the gallantry of several individuals 
prevented its being more so. Lieutenant Chauncey was no sooner apprized of the error of 
the report which had been brought to him, than he made every exertion to save as much of 
the public property as it was possible to rescue from the increasing conflagration, and to 
that efl^ect, he ran the Fair American and the Pert up the river. The new frigate, the Gen 
eral Pike, which was then on the stocks, was saved ; and Lieutenant Talman, of the army, 
at the imminent risk of his life, boarded the prize schooner the Duke of Gloucester, which 
was then on fire, with a considerable quantity of powder in her hold, extinguished the fire, 
and brought her from under the flames of the storehouses. 

" Notwithstanding this signal repulse, the British commanding officers attempted to play 
off" the stratagem which Sir James Yeo afterward adopted at the Forty Mile Creek. They 
sent in a flag with a peremptory demand for the formal surrender of the post, which was aa 
peremptorily refused." 

The British colonel, Gray, fell near the present residence of Mr. 
John Hall, in Hill-street, and the stump against which he reposed his 
head, is still to be seen by the sidewalk. He was a noble-looking 
man, about six feet in height, and about forty years of age. Beside 
him was a Glengarian officer, mortally wounded. A private named 
David Johnson, from Berkshire county, Mass., lay near, wounded in 
a most horrible manner. This young man was a widow's only son. 
At the time of his enlistment at Greenbush, his mother requested the 
sergeant to take good care of him. His face was carried away by a 
side shot from below his forehead, downward, including his eyes, 
nose, upper jaw, tongue, and some of the teeth of the lower jaw. He 
notwithstanding had his reason. Being requested by the bystanders, 
if he wanted water to lift up his right hand, he did so. A soldier 
who was shot by a musket ball through the abdomen, informed his 
captain, who gave him permission to leave the ground, with the ex- 
pectation that he would fall before he had got many rods distant. An 
hour or two after the battle, the officer was astonished to meet the 
man quietly walking in the streets of the village. He asked him 
where he had been ? " To get some 7nilk" was the reply. It appears 
that he had not eaten any thing for thirty hours previous to the ac- 
tion, and the ball was thus enabled to pass through the intestines 
r'ithout mortal injury. 

The following is a view of the barracks from the military hospital. 



JEFFKRSON COUNTY. 



211 




Northern view of Jefferson Barracks, Sacketts Harbor. 

The two long ranges of buildings in the distance, facing the spectator, 
are the officers' quarters. The buildings at each end are the soldiers* 
barracks. These structures are of Umestone, about 250 feet in length, 
two stones in height, with neat piazzas in front, forming three sides of a 
square, on which is the parade ground. The large building on the 
right is the commissary's department. The barracks were commen- 
ced in 1816, and finished in 1819. The grounds attached include 
about forty acres, and the whole is surrounded on three sides by a 
log picket fence, painted white, and about 9 feet in height. The 
fourth side is open to the water. 

On a monument in the military burial place, which is included in 
the barrack grounds, are the following inscriptions : 

South side.—" In memory of Gen. Z. M, Pike, killed at York, U. C, 27 April, 1813.— 
Capt. Joseph Nicholson, 14 infantry, aid-de-camp to Gen. Pike, do." East side. — " In mem- 
ory of Lieut. Col. John Mills, volunteer; killed at Sacketts Harbor, 29 May, 1813. — Capt. 
A. Spencer, 29 infantry, aid-de-camp to Maj. Gen. Brown, killed at Lundy's Lane, 25 July, 
1814." North side. — " In memory of Col. Tuttle, Lieut. Col. Dix, Maj. Johnson, Lieut. 
Vandeventer." West side. — " In memory of Brig. Gen. L. Covington, killed at Chry'r* 
Fields, U. C, 11 Nov. 1812. Lieut, Col. E. Backus, 1st dragoons, killed at S. Harbor, 29 
May, 1813." 



" Sacred to the memory of Frederick Augustus Leonard, son of James and Mercy Leon, 
ard, of New York, aged 23 years, 2 months and 12 days; a sailing-master in the Ameri- 
can navy, who died on the 12th of May, 1813, by a violent illness brought on by fatigue in 
the attack of the American forces on York, in Upper Canada, April 27th, 1813. — This 
monument is erected by his brother, Capt. James T. Leonard of the navy." 

Le Ray, settled in 1803 and organized in 1806; from Albany 156 
miles. Evans Mills, 10 miles NE. from Watertown, and Le Rays- 
ville, are small but flourishing villages. Sandfords Corners and West 
Le Ray are post-offices. Pop. 3,722. 

Lorraine, originally named Malta, and taken from Mexico in 1804 ; 
from Albany 145, and from Watertown S. 16 miles. Lorraine is a 
post-office. Pop. 1,721, 

Lyme, taken from Brownville in 1817; from Albany 185 miles. 
Pop. 5,467. It includes several islands in Lake Ontario and one In 



212 JEFFERSON COUNTY. 

the St. Lawrence river. Cape Vincent, port of entry of Cape Vin- 
cent district, at the fork of Lake Ontario and at the head of the 
St. Lawrence, 25 miles from Watertown, has about 70 dwellings. 
Chaumont, at the head of Chaumont bay, 14 miles from Watertown, 
has about 30 dwellings. At Tibbets point there is a lighthouse. 
Three Mile Bay, Mileno Bay, and Peninsula, arc post-offices. 

Orleans, taken from Brownville in 1821 ; from Albany 184 miles. 
Le Fargeville, named from John Le Farge, the original proprietor 
of the town, 16 miles N. from Watertown, and Stone Mill, in the SW. 
angle of the town, are small settlements with post-offices. Pop. 3,000. 

Pamelia, taken from Brownville in 1819; from Albany 166 miles. 
Williamstown has about 40 dwellings, and is on the bank of the river 
and connected with Watertown by a bridge. Pamelia and Pamelia 
Four Corners are post-offices. Pop. 2,119. 

Philadelphia, settled principally by Friends, and taken from Le 
Ray in 1821 ; from Watertown centrally distant NE. 16 miles. Pop. 
1,888. The Friends settlement has about 60 dwellings. 

Rodman, originally named Harrison, taken from Adams in 1804, 
and settled in 1801, by New England emigrants; from Albany 154, 
centrally distant from Watertown S. 10 miles. Pop. 1,703. Rod- 
man has about 40 dwellings. Whitesville is a small post village. 
Several Indian mounds are in this town, with ancient fortifications 
Pop. 1,700. 

Rutland, formed in 1802 ; from Albany 154, from Watertown cen- 
trally distant E. 6 miles. There are here remains of ancient works. 
There is an old camp or fort near the Watertown and Rutland line, sit- 
uated on a hill surrounded by a hollow that seems to have been a ditch 
enclosing about four acres of ground. Its form is an irregular oval. 
On one side is a triangular projection of 50 paces, terminating in an 
acute angle, surrounded, like the camp, by an intrenchment. On dig- 
ging into this, many remains of human bones were found, and a part 
of a human skull imbedded in two or three quarts of Indian corn, 
which seems to have been parched to a dark chocolate-brown color, 
but was sound and well preserved. The place was lately covered 
with lofty trees, like the surrounding ground, which must have been 
some centuries in growing. South Rutland, Tylersville, Felts Mill, 
and Lockport, are small post villages. Rutland Centre is a post- 
office. 

Watertown was organized as part of Oneida county in 1800. 
Pop. 5,025. Watertown, incorporated village and seat of justice for 
the county, is from New York NW. 325 miles, from Albany 176, 
from Utica NNW. 81, from Sacketts Harbor E. 10 miles. It con- 
tains 2 Presbyterian, 1 Episcopal, 1 Methodist Episcopal, 1 Univer- 
salist, and 1 Catholic church, an incorporated academy, the Jefferson 
Company and Watertown banks, an insurance company, county 
buildings, and about 550 dwellings. 

In March, 1800, this town was first settled by Henry Coffin, who 
originally came from New Hampshire, and built his log cabin on 
the brow of the hill about 3 rods easterly from the front door of 



JEFFERSON COUNTS. 213 

the American Hotq^ Soon after he was joined by Zechariah Butter- 
field, who built his cabin on the ground now occupied by Davenport's 
tavern. Both of these individuals brought with them their families. 
The unevenness and apparent unproductiveness of the soil were more 
than counterbalanced, in the discerning minds of these pioneers, by the 
immense hydraulic power appropriable, from the numerous falls and 
rapids of Black river at this point, which in the space of about a 
mile amount to nearly 100 feet descent. In this, as well as the rich- 
ness and fertility of the adjacent country, they wisely believed that 
they discovered the elements of future prosperity and greatness. 

Hart and Isaiah Massay, who came from Windsor, Vermont, 
joined them in the succeedmg year. In 1802, the first tavern was 
opened by Isaiah Massay, and the first saw-mill erected on the pres- 
ent site of W. Pattridge's woollen factory. The high reputation of 
the Black river country now began to be sounded abroad, and the 
number of settlers rapidly augmented. Among the other earliest 
emigrants were Aaron Bacon, Jonathan Cowan, two brothers by the 
name of Thornton, Jesse Doolittle, M. Canfield, Aaron Keyes, D. 
Huntington, William Smith, John Paddock, Chauncey Calhoun, Philo 
Johnson, and John Hathway. 

" An inventory of the entire effects of each settler, as he arrived 
upon the ground, would have been a short and easy matter. Those 
with families had possessed but small estates in the places from which 
they emigrated, and generally found their means exhausted when 
they had procured an outfit for their westward journey. The whole 
possession of many a young man who planted the germ of his for- 
tune here, was comprised in the axe that he brought upon his shoul- 
der, and in the nerves of the vigorous arm which wielded it. Very 
little money was brought into Watertown by its first inhabitants. 
They were all thrown upon their immediate exertions for subsistence. 
In these circumstances, want, with its horrors, might have visited 
them, had it not been the case that quick returns of fruitful harvests 
were made to their industry. It is a well-known fact, that through- 
out the whole of Western New York, the first harvest reaped from 
the soil is often more abundant than any succeeding one. The for- 
ests here are found to be unencumbered with the mass of dead leaves, 
and undecomposed vegetable matter, which, in many parts of our 
country, the farmer finds so prejudicial to the cultivation and produc- 
tion of his new land. There is that, either in the climate or the soil 
itself, which seems to effect the decomposition of vegetables very 
soon after they are deprived of life. From this circumstance, the 
deposition upon the ground of a great body of forest leaves, every 
season, instead of opposing an obstacle to immediate production, 
facilitates it, and contributes to the richness and fertility of the soil. 

" The enterprising mechanics and agriculturists in Watertown 
did not long allow their hydraulic privileges to remain unimproved. 
In 1803, Jonathan Cowan built the first grist-mill. This was an in- 
valuable acquisition to the place, as it relieved the inhabitants from 



214 JEFFERSON COUNTY. 

the necessity of travelling to a great distance f#r the flouring of all 
their grain. 

" In 1803, the first bridge across Black river, at Watertown, was built at the site of the 
lower bridge, on the Brownville road, by Henry Coffeen and Andrew Edmonds. The 
business of the little community increased as their number was augmented, and soon de- 
manded some medium of disposing of the products of their industry. Accordingly, in 1805, 
a store was opened by J. Paddock and William Smith. The year 1807 brought with it the 
accession of a paper-mill, built by Garden Caswell, and a brewery, by Gursham Tuttle. 

" At this period, and for a considerable time after, the manufacture of potash was an 
object of much attention with those who had land in their possession. The high price 
which this article then commanded, and the fine adaptation of the timber and the soil to 
the production and the preservation of ashes, rendered it one of the most lucrative branches 
of business to which the settlers could devote themselves. As every barrel of potash yield- 
ed the manufacturer $25, the purchasers of lots, by their characteristic enterprise and pru- 
dence, were enabled to realize a sum fully equal to the first cost of their lands from this 
article alone. 

" The principal commercial operations in the years 1806-7-8, consisted in the exchange 
of goods for potash, which took place between the agricultural portion of the community 
and the merchants before mentioned. The amount of exchanges thus effected during this 
period was not inconsiderable, when we consider the limited number of persons engaged 
in the transaction. In 1806, it was not less than $3,500; in 1807, about $6,000; and in 
1808, it exceeded $9,000. A comparative view of the business of the place may be had, 
by stating in this connection, that the goods sold in Watertown during the year 1839, in- 
eluding those manufactured in it, amounted to about $500,000. 

" The first cotton factory which reared its form in this village is still standing, and known 
as the ' Old Cotton Factory' — now under the proprietorship of the Watertown Cotton Mills 
Company. It was erected by a company, and went into operation in 1814. The machin- 
ery was manufactured by James Wild, of Hudson, much of which is still in use ; and al- 
though cotton machinery has been much improved by 25 years' experience, few cotton 
factories do more or better work. This establishment was succeeded in 1827 by a similar 
one, erected by Levi Bebee, upon the island which bears his name. It was, however, on 
a much more extensive plan ; being a building 250 feet in length, 50 in breadth, and 4 
stories high, built of limestone, of the most substantial character. This building was de- 
signed to receive 10,000 spindles ; and half that number, with 128 power looms, had been 
put into it, when it was destroyed by fire in 1832. It was erected, and thus far completed, at 
an expense of $120,000, employed a great number of hands, directly and indirectly, and its 
destruction gave a shock to the village of Watertown from which it has yet hardly recov 
ered. The ruins still stand, frowning upon a majestic and beautiful cascade, whose waters 
leap past them, as if in terror, lest the columns of ragged stone should precipitate themselves 
upon their bosom ; or, as if in haste to escape from the gloom and sadness of their pres. 
ence. They also remain a monument of the enterprise and public spirit of their late pro- 
prietor. 

" In the early settlement of the county, strenuous efforts were made to fix the county seat 
at Brownville. Gen. Jacob Brown was appointed one of the commissioners by the state, to 
lay out and open two roads; one from Utica, through Boonville, to some point on Black 
river ; and one from Rome, through Redfield, to the same point. Brownville was fixed 
upon as this point. Every exertion was then put forth by those interested, and every argu- 
ment pressed, which the circumstances of the case, policy, and ingenuity could supply, to 
effect the location of the county seat at that place. The commissioners, who were to desig 
nate the site of the courthouse, decided however upon placing it at Watertown. But by 
way of compromise they selected its present site, then quite remote from the village. 

" The first courthouse was built in 1807, by William Rise and Joel Mix ; its erection was 
superintended by William Smith. It being thus placed at a distance from the centre of the 
village, had a tendency to draw attention, and induce settlement in that direction. Anoth- 
er circumstance had a considerable influence in fixing the location of mills and manufacto- 
ries remote from the common centre. Mr. Jonathan Cowan was the owner of all the hy- 
draulic privileges here, at the point where his mills were situated. From a mistaken belief 
as to the best method of stimulating industry and enterprise, he refused, on all occasions, 
to sell, without limiting the purchaser to one kind of business. The spirited settlers would 
not brook this fetter upon their enterprise, and determined not to submit to the restriction, 
so long as the waters of Black river were free. This policy occasioned the erection of a 
dam further down the river in 1807, and another above in 1814. Although, for a time. 



JEFFERSON COUNTY. 215 

this appeared to check the growth of the village, it ultimately operated to its advantage, by 
enlarging its sphere of action, and more fully developing its resources. 

" It is generally the case, that in planting new settlements, a very early attention to the 
cultivation of the intellect and moral powers of ihe community, is prevented by the ardu- 
ousness of the duties and the engrossment of mind incident upon their condition, as well as 
their remoteness from institutions of learning and the great centres of literary and moral 
influence, in Watertown, however, as early as the year 1811, efforts were made for the 
establishment of an academy. A piece of ground was given for this purpose, by Mr. P. 
Keves, near where the first church now stands. A building was commenced the same 
year, and completed in the following, 1812, simultaneous with the commencement of the 
last hostilities between the United Sates and Great Britain. The declaration of war occa. 
sioned the stationing of a garrison of soldiers in Watertown ; who finding the academy 
building conveniently situated for barracks, took possession of it and occupied it for that 
purpose. 

" The proximity of Watertown to the Canadian frontier and the site of several battles, as 
also its exposed and unprotected condition, produced, during this conflict, a constant agita- 
tion and an intense excitement of the pubhc mind, which forbade the inhabitants thinking 
of any thing but the ' war.' The project of the academy was in consequence abandoned. 
After the evacuation of the building by the troops, which took place in 1814, it was taken 
down, and the materials of which it was composed transferred to what is now known as 
Clinton-street, and erected into a schoolhouse. This, until recently, has been employed for 
the purposes designed. The land thus left vacant, according to a condition in the deed given 
by Mr. Keyes, could be sold by appraisal. A part of it was thus sold, and a part went into 
the possession of the First church. 

"With this failure, however, the efforts for the accomplishment of the truly noble design 
did not cease. Another commodious academy building was erected a few years after, upon 
the street which has taken its name from this circumstance. This academy was opened 
under favorable auspices, and for a considerable time prospered flourishingly. But, although 
the noble stone edifice still stands in its beautiful and sequestered location, as an abode of 
learning it is now superseded by the Black River Literary and Religious Institute — a school 
most deservedly popular, an ornament to the place, and an honor to its conductors and 
patrons. 

" The religious opportunities of the inhabitants of Watertown, for the first few years, 
were necessarily limited. For the purpose of public worship, they were accustomed often 
to assemble at the dwelling of some one of the little community, to hear read a sermon, 
from the pen of some excellent New England divine ; and whence, no doubt, many a peti- 
tion went up to Him who ' regards not the condition of men,' as fervent and acceptable, as 
if uttered in the stately temple embellished with cornice and damask. They were occa- 
sionally visited by an itinerant minister of the Methodist connection, but seldom by any 
others. The place was regarded as proper missionary ground, and the work of proclaiming 
to the inhabitants the ' Word of life,' as demanding the exercise of as much benevolence 
and self-denial as is now required in him who would carry the Bible into the savage regions 
West of the Rocky mountains. This is well illustrated by the remark of a benevolent- 
hearted herald of the cross, while on his way to the settlement here ; being asked whither 
he was bound and what was the object of his mission, he replied, ' / am going to preach to 
the heathen.' In 1803, a church was organized by the Rev. Ebenezer Lazel — Presbyterian 
in its confession of faith, and Congi-egational in its form of government. The Presbyterian 
clergymen located here, were, successively, the Rev. Messrs. Leavenworth, Porter, Cook, 
and, immediately after the war, Mr. Banks. As the population of the place increased, 
bringing together, of necessity, persons of various religious sentiments, churches of the dif- 
ferent persuasions were organized, from time to lime, until the village now embraces t^\o 
churches of the Presbyterian denomination, (the 1st and the 2d,) 1 of the Baptist, 1 of the 
Methodist, 1 of the Roman CathoHc, 1 of the Episcopal, and 1 of the Universalist ; all oc- 
cupying attractive and commodious houses of worship. 

" In the early years of the village it was remarkable for nothing, perhaps, more than the 
union and harmony of its inhabitants. Common dangers, privations, and labors, begat a 
community of interests and feeling, and actuated to a mutal reciprocation of assistance and 
benefits. The prosperity and joys, as well as the griefs and misfortunes of one, were 
shared by all. Death never invaded their number, without throwing a gloom over the 
whole community, and touching every heart with the affliction. The melancholy circum- 
etances attending the first instance of mortahty, afforded great occasion for the exercise of 
these sympathetic feelings. 

" Late at the close of a still, sultry day in summer, Mrs. Thornton, 



216 JEFFERSON COUNTY. 

the wife of one of the young settlers, gave tlie alarm that her husband 
had not returned from the forest, whither he had gone in the afternoon 
to procure a piece of timber for a particular purpose. Immediately 
every man in the settlement answered to the call, and hastened to 
the place designated for meeting to concert a plan for search. Here 
all armed themselves with torches of lighted pine knots or birch bark, 
and calling every gun in the place into use for firing alarms and sig- 
nals, started out, in small companies, into the forest in all directions. 
After a search of several hours, the preconcerted signal-gun announ- 
ced that ' the lost was found.' All hurried to the spot ; and upon the 
ground where now stands the Black River Institute, crushed beneath 
a tree which he had felled, lay the Hfeless body of their companion. 
He was laid upon a bier, hastily prepared for the occasion, and con- 
veyed through the gloom of midnight, by the light of their torches, 
back to his house. What must have been the emotions of the be- 
reaved young widow, when the mangled corpse of her husband, so 
suddenly fallen a victim to death, was brought in and laid before her I 
She did not, however, mourn alone. As the remains were borne to 
their resting-place, — the first grave that was opened in Trinity church- 
yard, — it needed no sable emblems of mourning to tell of the griet 
which bung dark around every heart. Each one of the little com- 
pany, as he returned from performing the last duties to his departed 
companion, felt as if from his own family one had been taken. 

" A similar incident occurred, a short time after, in tiie death of a child, which was killed 
by the falling of a tree, on the present site of the courthouse ; thus designating with blood, 
as one can imagine, the location of the halls of justice and science in our village, and con- 
secrating the ground of each by a human sacrifice. 

" Notwithstanding the general union and harmony which prevailed, clashing interests 
and individual enmities would sometimes show, that even the common dangers and hard- 
ships of the wilderness nave not power to change the character of human passion, or to 
soften its malignity, when occasion arouses it. One incident will illustrate this. 

" By some unfortunate circumstance, a feud was enkindled between 
one of the settlers in Watertown and his neighbor, 15 or 20 miles 
distant ; for, be it known, distance was then no barrier to neighbor- 
ship. Not long after the commencement of hostilities between the 
parties, it came to the ears of the one in Watertown, that his enemy 
had offered a reward of $5 for his head. Feeling rather uneasy 
under this summary outlawry — as it necessarily, he thought, rendered 
insecure the tenure by which he held his life, — and being unwilling 
to dispose of it except upon more reasonable terms, he determined to 
go and negotiate the matter, propr'ia persona, with this dealer in per- 
sonal estate, and, if possible, induce him to withdraw the reward. 
As there was no road practicable for travelling by horse, he was 
obliged to accomplish the whole distance on foot. This he did ; and 
having arrived at the residence of his enemy, he found him in com- 
pany with two or three of his nearer neighbors. Wishing to avoid 
publicity in the affair as much as possible, he requested a private 
interview. But he was tartly replied to, that there was nothing be- 
tween them that required secrecy, and if he had any thing to say, he 
must * speak out.' Being obliged thus to make known his errand 



JEFFERSON COUNTY. 217 

publicly, rather disturbed hig equanimity ; but his situation was des- 
perate. Here was his last hope of effecting a reconciliation ; and he 
therefore commenced by saying, he had learned, with much regret, 
that their late difficulties had drawn from him the offer of a reward 
of $5 for his life ; he hoped it was not the case. But he had come 
to learn the truth from his own lips ; and if it were really so, if pos- 
sible, to compromise the affair, and adjust their differences. His 
enemy quickly retorted, that it was a 'most rascally untruth — as 
great a lie as ever was told.' ' I never,' said he, ' have offered #5 
for your head ; never — not I. I may have said that I would give 
twenty shillings : but I never went over that.' With this very satis- 
factory information, he was obliged to return and await patiently the 
issue of the struggle which was to determine whether he could be 
allowed to retain his head, between the consciences of his fellow 
settlers, and their cupidity, so strongly appealed to by the twenty- 
shilling reward. 

" Such circumstances were then, however, of rare occurrence. Unanimity of sentiment 
and feehng was the general law ; these were but the exceptions. No doubt that amidst 
the dangers, the rugged toil, and the coarse fare of this new settlement, happiness was 
found to dwell with as much fulness and purity, as with the safety, the ease and the refine- 
ment of the town or city. Ask those venerable pioneers of the wilderness who still remain 
in our midst, and they will tell you, that they look with less complaisance and pleasure 
upon the last few years of their lives, than upon those in which the forests were falling be- 
neath their axes ; or, in their tow-frocks — the insignia of their priestly office — they perform- 
ed the obsequies of the monarchs of the wood, at their funeral piles. They are now made 
to witness scenes of more wealth and action, but not of more tranquillity and purity. The 
affections then were warm, and confidence mutual. At their convivial assemblies, which, 
at the close of a day's toil, they sometimes found time to convene, the simplicity of their 
rude entertainments, served up as they often were upon an oak slab, elevated to its proper 
position by substantial wooden pegs, was more than compensated by the full flovv of spirits, 
and the absence of rivalry and envy. The heart had not then lost its radiating power by 
the polish of excessive refinement, and the freedom of communication was unfettered by 
the stiff formahty of modern etiquette. 

" It is a fact worthy of remark, that almost every cent of the wealth in this village has 
been created upon the ground. But a small amount of capital has been brought into it 
from abroad ; and this not for the purposes of speculation, but in obedience to the demands 
of established business. It has never stood in need of foreign assistance. Its resources 
have ever been, and are still inexhaustible. The secret of its commanding influence, how. 
ever, is to be foimd in the immense hydraulic force of Black river at this point. By a pretty 
accurate computation, it has been ascertained that the quantity of water, at low-water 
mark, is seldom less than 60,000 cubic feet per minute. This, with economy, under 9 feet 
head and fall, would be sufficient to turn 150 runs of stone. Now, by considering that the 
water, in passing from the upper end of the village to the lower, a distance of about a mile, 
falls 88 feet, over 7 artificial dams and 5 natural cascades, and at each of these dams the 
whole body of water can be used, we have a force sufficient to turn more than a thousand 
runs of stone, or to apply to the driving of other machinery. 

" With this great power before us, and reflecting that Watertown is surrounded by a rich 
and fertile coimtry, — prosecuting a firmly established and well-balanced business — a busi- 
ness that has never been affected by the insane spirit of specidation which has often raged 
over our country — it is not difficult to account for its great prosperity, and to anticipate for 
it a still more vigorous end rapid progress." — Hist. Sketch of Watertown, by J. P. Fitch. 

The following view was taken on the west bank of the river, a few 
rods below the bridge. The ruins seen in front are those of the 
Bebee manufactory, noticed in the foregoing sketch. Just beyond 
the bridge, the river descends in a perpendicular fall of 18 feet. The 
steeple on the left, is that of the 2d Presbyterian chuixh, the one 

28 



218 



JEFFERSON COUNTY. 




View in Watertown, Jefferson county, New York. 

further to the right, that of the Catholic, and that on the extreme 
right, the Institute, This is a wild and picturesque spot, and the 
ruins remind the spectator of some time-decayed structure of a former 
age. On the bank of the river, seen beyond the opening between 
the pines, is a place where the rite of baptism is administered by im- 
mersion. A traveller who here recently witnessed a scene of this 
kind, describes it as " unusually solemn and impressive." Amid the 
roar of the rapids ascended the prayer of the clergyman, and the mu- 
sic of the assembled worshippers was softened by the sound of the 
waterfall. 

Well would the language of the poet have applied : 

" Ye headlong torrents, rapid and profound, 
Ye softer floods, that tread the humid maze, 

Sound his stupendous praise, 

And as each mingling flame increases each. 
In one united ardor rise to heaven." — 

In the limestone rocks which bound the Black river at this point 
are numerous caves, two of which are very extensive, and have 
never been explored to their terminations. The first, called the " old 
cave" is situated a few rods west of the bridge, at Bebee's island, in 
the town of Pamelia, and running up in an easterly direction, is sup- 
posed to go under the falls. The other, entitled the " new or ice cave" 
is about 50 rods below the bridge on the eastern bank of the stream, 
and was discovered about two years since. It has been explored 
about la mile. Some distance in it there is an extensive excavation, 
which forms a large room of about 20 feet square, and as regularly 
shaped as though effected by human agency. Columns of ice formed 



KINGS COUXTY. 219 

by the infiltration of watei- from the ceihng to the floor, resembling 
marble pillars neatly polished, are to be seen in this apartment even 
in the warmest of weather. Both of these caves have many branches, 
and are beautified with varied petrifactions, stalactites of all shapes, 
petrified bats, &c., &;c. About 50 rods in a NE. direction from the 
Bebee ruins, back of the knoll, is a singular oval-shaped basin in the 
sand, of about 7 rods in its greatest diameter. It is about 100 feet 
in depth, and water never remains in it even during the most rainy 
weather. 

WiLNA, taken from Le Ray in this, and Leyden in Lewis county, 
in 1818; from Albany, NW., 151, from Watertown distant E. 17 
miles. The place was settled by Irish and New England emigrants. 
The Count Survilliers, (Joseph Bonaparte,) brother of the Emperor 
Napoleon, purchased here 80,000 acres of land and erected a large 
mansion. Carthage, at the head of Long Falls, on the Black river, 
has about 75 dwellings. A large quantity of iron is manufactured 
here. The Natural Bridge, where there is a small settlement, is a 
cariosity. It is about 12 feet wide, and 6 above the water. Wilna 
and North Wilna are post-offices. Pop. 2,583. 



KINGS COUNTY. 

Kings county was organized in 1683, by an act of the colonial 
assembly dividing the province, and abolishing the ridings which 
previously existed. Its greatest length is 12, and greatest breadth 7 
miles. The county includes Coney and Barren islands, and all other 
islands south of the town of Gravesend. The surface on the NE. 
for three or four miles back from the river is hilly and ridgy. Upon 
the SE. a plain of sandy loam and sand extends to the ocean. The 
soil for the most part is light, warm, and when properly manured, 
fertile. It is generally well improved, and supplies a large portion of 
the vegetables sold in New York. The first settlement in the county 
was made at Brooklyn in 1625. In 1641, the Dutch government 
permitted some English settlers to locate themselves at Gravesend. 
All the other towns of the county appear to have been settled by the 
Dutch. The county courts were originally held at the village of 
Gravesend; they were removed in 1686 to Flatbush, where they 
were held till 1832, when they were removed to Brooklyn. The 
county contains six towns. Pop. 47,613. 

Brooklyn. This town, the whole of which is now included within 
the corporation of the city of Brooklyn, lies upon the extreme western 
part of Long Island, opposite the southern portion of the city of New 
York, and separated therefrom by the East river, which is here about 
three quarters of a mile in width. Its length from NE. to SW". is 
six, and its greatest breadth four miles; giving an area. of 9,200 



220 KINGS COUNTV. 

acres, most of which has been apportioned into city lots. " The sur- 
face is high, broken, and stony ; and the more elevated points afford 
beautiful and romantic sites, many of which have been built upon, 
and are not excelled in elegance by any others in the country. The 
soil, in common with the whole county, was originally claimed by the 
Canarsee Indians, a numerous tribe inhabiting the more southern 
parts of the county, and from whom the title to the lands was pro- 
cured by the Dutch government. 

" The name conferred upon this town by the Dutch was Breucklen, (or broken land ;) 
and in the act for dividing the province into counties and towns, passed November 1, 1685, 
it is called Breucldyn ; nor does the present appellation appear to have been generally 
adopted until after the revolution. Many changes have doubtless taken place upon the 
shore, and it is believed that Governor's Island was formerly connected with Red Hook point. 
It is well known that a short period previous to the war of independence, cattle were driven 
across what is called Buttermilk Channel, now sufficiently deep to afford passage to vessels 
of the largest class. The alteration is no doubt in great measure attributable to the vast 
extension of the whan'es on both sides of the river, thereby diverting the course, and in- 
creasing the force of the currents. The first European settler in this town is supposed to 
have been George Jansen de Rapelje, at the Waalboght, or Waaloons Bay, during the Di- 
rectorship of Peter Minuit, under the charter of the West India Company. In a family 
record in the possession of Jeremiah Johnson, Esq., it is stated that the first child of Rapelje 
was Sarah, born in 1225, unquestionably the first Twhite child born upon Long Island. 
Watson-says she was born on the 9th of June, and honored as the first-born child of the 
Dutch settlers ; also that, in consideration of such distinction, and of her widowhood, she 
was afterward presented with a tract of land at the Wallabout. She was twice married; 
first to Hans Hanse-Bergen, by whom she had six children, namely, Michael Hanse, Joris 
Hanse, Jan Hanse, Jacob Hanse, Breckje Hanse, and Marytje Hanse. Her second hus- 
band was Teunis Guisbcrtse Bogart, by whom also she had six children, namely, Aurtie, 
Antje, Neelje, Aultje, Catalyn'je, and Guysbert. The account of this remarkable woman 
in the archives of the New York Historical Society contains the names of the persons to 
whom eleven of her children were married, and the places where they settled. The 
twelfth, Breckje Hanse, went to Holland. In the journal of the Dutch Council in 1656, it 
is related that " the widow Hans Hanson, the first-born Christian daughter in New Nether- 
lands, burdened with seven children, petitions for a grant of a piece of meadow, in addi- 
tion to the twenty morgen granted to her at the Waale-Boght.' There is a tradition in 
the family, that the Indians, induced by the circumstance of her being the first white child 
born here, gave to her father and his brethren, the other French who followed them, the 
Lands adjacent to the bay ; hence called (says Judge Benson) Het- Waale Boght, corrupted 
to Wallabout Bay. A few of the other associates of De Rapelje were Le Escuyer, Duryee, 
La Sillier, Cershow, Conscillaer, Musserol; these, with some changes in the mode of spell, 
ing, are still found among us. It appears by the Dutch records, that in 1634 a part of the 
land at Red Hook was the property of Wouter Van Twiller, being one of the oldest titles 
in the town. The earliest deed for land was from Governor Kieft to Abraham Rycken, in 
1638. The oldest grant recorded is to Thomas Besker in 1639. This must be considered 
as the commencement of permanent Dutch settlements on Long Island, and there is no 
evidence of any direct and systematic efforts being made for the purpose till this period." — 
Thompson's Hist, of Long Island. 

It seems to have been enjoined upon the overseers and constables 
to admonish the inhabitants to instruct their children and servants in 
matters of religion, and in the laws of the country. The inhabitants 
at first attended divine worship at New Amsterdam, (New York,) 
and at Flatbush. In 1659, the inhabitants of the town applied to 
Gov. Stuyvesant for permission to call a minister for their congrega- 
tion. This request was granted, and the Rev. Henry Solinus, being 
approved by the classis of Amsterdam, was sent over from Holland, 
and installed their pastor in 1660. The first Dutch church was built 
in 1G66, and stood about forty years ; when another was erected on 



KINGS COUNTY. 221 

the same spot, which was taken down in 1810, and a new and sub- 
stantial one built in Jerolemon street ; this last has given place to a 
more splendid edifice on nearly the same site. An Episcopal society 
existed in this town as early as 1766. In 1795, St. Ann's church was 
occupied for the first time. The first Methodist church was incor- 
porated in 1794; the first Presbyterian in 1822; the first Baptist in 
1822 ; the first Catholic in 1822 ; and the first congregational in 1839. 
The first printing press established in this town, was by Thomas 
Kirk, in 1799, who issued a newspaper, entitled the " Courier, and 
New York and Long Island Advertiser" which continued four years. 
The first number of the " Long Island Star" was also issued by Mr. 
Kirk, in 1809. 

The most compact part of Brooklyn was incorporated into a village 
in 1816, which, although much opposed by a portion of the popula- 
tion, gave a new impulse to the spirit of improvement, which has re- 
sulted in raising it to be the second city in point of population in the 
state of New York. In April, 1834, the whole territory of the town 
was incorporated under the name of the " City of Brooklyn." It is 
divided into 9 wards ; the powers of the corporation are vested in a 
mayor, and a board of aldermen, composed of two elected from each 
ward. Brooklyn contains 28 churches, viz : 6 Episcopalian, 2 Dutch 
Reformed, 7 Presbyterian, 2 Baptist, 4 Episcopal Methodist, 1 Cen- 
tenary Episcopal Methodist, 1 Primitive Methodist, 1 Wesleyan 
Methodist, 2 Roman Catholic, 1 Unitarian Congregational Church, 
and 1 Friends Meeting-house. Population in 1820, 7,175; in 1825, 
10,790; in 1830, 15,394; in 1835, 25,312; in 1840, 36,233. 




Northern view of the Navy-yard at Brooklyn. 

The above shows the appearance of the buildings, shipping, &c., 
at the navy-yard, at Brooklyn, as seen from Corlear's Hook. The 
' United States possess about forty acres at this spot, including the old 
mill-pond. Here have been erected a spacious navy-yard, public 
stores, machine shops, and two immense edifices, in which the largest 
ships are protected from the weather, while building. On the east 
side of the Wallabout bay, opposite the navy-yard, stands the U. S. 
Naval Hospital, a magnificent structure. The Wallabout is ran- 



222 KINGS COUNTV. 

dered memorable in the revolutionary period, from having been the 
scene of the heart-rending sufferings of many thousand American 
prisoners confined in the prison ships stationed in the bay. The fol- 
lowing, relating to these vessels, communicated to the editor of 
the "Naval Magazine," in 1836, was written by Jeremiah Johnson, 
Esq., of Brooklyn, a gentleman who has filled many pubUc offices in 
this place. 

" The subject of the naval prisoners, and of the British prison ships stationed at the Wal- 
labout during the revolution, is one which cannot be passed by in silence. From printed 
journals published in New York at the close of the war, it appears that eleven thousand 
five hundred American prisoners had died on board the prison ships. Although the num- 
ber is very great, still if the number who perished had been less, the commissary of naval 
prisoners, David Sprout, Esq., and his deputy, had it in their power, by an official return, 
to give the true number exchanged, escaped, and dead. Such a return has never appeared 
in the United States. This man returned to America after the war, and resided in Phila- 
delphia, where he died. He could not have been ignorant of the statement published here 
on this interesting subject. We may therefore infer, that about that number perished in 
the prison ships. A large transport, named the Whitby, was the first prison ship anchored 
in the Wallabout. She was moored near ' Remsen's Mill,' about the 20ih of October, 

1776, and was crowded with prisoners. Many landsmen were prisoners on board this 
vessel ; she was said to be the most sickly of all the prison ships. Bad provisions, bad 
water, and scanted rations were dealt to the prisoners. No medical men attended the sick. 
Disease reigned unrelieved, and hundreds died from pestilence, or were starved, on board 
this floating prison. I saw the sand-beach between a ravine in the hill and Mr. Remsen's 
dock become filled with graves in the course of two months ; and before the 1st of May, 

1777, the ravine alluded to was itself occupied in the same way. In the month of May of 
that year two large ships were anchored in the Wallabout, when the prisoners were trans- 
ferred from the Whitby to them. These vessels were also very sickly, from the causes 
before stated. Although many prisoners were sent on board of them, and were exchanged, 
death made room for all. On a Sunday afternoon, about the middle of October, 1777, one 
of the prison ships was burnt ; the prisoners, except a few, who, it was said, were burnt in 
the vessel, were removed to the remaining ship. It was reported at the time that the pri- 
soners had fired their prison ; which, if true, proves that they preferred death, even by fire, 
to the lingering suflierings of pestilence and starvation. In the month of February, 1778, 
the remaining prison ship was burnt at night ; when the prisoners were removed from her 
to the ships then wintering in the Wallabout. In the month of April, 1778, the Old Jersey 
was moored in the Wallabout, and all the prisoners (except the sick) were transferred to 
her. The sick were carried to two hospital ships, named the Hope and Falmouth, anchor- 
ed near each other about two hundred yards east from the .lersey. These ships remained 
in the Wallabout until New York was evacuated by the British. The Jersey was the re. 
ceiving-ship — the others, truly, the ships of Death ! It has been generally thought that all 
the prisoners died on board of the Jersey. This is not true ; many may have died on board 
of her who were not reported as sick : but all the men who were placed on the sick-list 
were removed to the hospital ships, from which they were usually taken, sewed up in a 
blanket, to their long home. 

" After the hospital ships were brousrht into the Wallabout, it was reported that the sick 
were attended by physicians ; few, very few, however, recovered. It was no uncommon 
thing to see five or six dead bodies brought on shore in a single morning ; when a small 
excavation would be made at the foot of the hill, the bodies be cast in, and a man with a 
shovel would cover them by shovelling sand down the hill upon them. Many were buried 
in a ravine on the hill ; some on the farm. The whole shore from Rennie's Point to Mr. 
Remsen's dock-yard was a place of graves ; as were also the slope of the hill near the 
house, the shore from Mr. Remsen's barn along the mill-pond to Rapelje's farm and the 
sandy island, between the flood-gates and the mill-dam ; while a few were buried on the 
shore, the east side of the Wallabout. Thus did Death reign here, from 1776 until the 
peace. The whole Wallabout was a sickly place during the war. The atmosphere seemed 
to be charged with foul air from the prison ships, and with the effluvia of the dead bodies 
washed out of tlieir graves by the tides. We have ourselves examined many of the skulls 
lying on the shore ; from the teeth, they appear to be the remains of men in the prime of 
life. A singularly daring and successful escape was effected from the Jersey about 4 o'clock 
one afternoon, in December, 1780. The best boat of the ship had returned from New 



KINGS COUNTY. 223 

York, was left fastened at the gangway, with the oars on board. It was stormy ; the wind 
blew from the northeast, and the tide ran flood. A watchword was given, and a num- 
ber of prisoners placed themselves between the ship's waist and the sentinel ; at this junc- 
ture four eastern captains got on board the boat, which was cast off by their friends. The 
boat passed close under the bows of the ship, and was a considerable distance from her 
before the sentinel on the forecastle gave the alarm, and fired at her. The boat passed 
Hell-Gate, and arrived safe in Connecticut next morning." 

The following additional account of the sufferings of these unfortu- 
nate men was obtained from the prisoners, and published in the 
Connecticut Journal of Jan. 30, 1777. It is painfully minute in its 
details. 

" As soon as they were taken they were robbed of all their bag- 
gage, of whatever money they had, though it were of paper and 
could be of no advantage to the enemy, of their silver shoe-buckles, 
knee-buckles, &c., and many were stripped almost naked of their 
clothes. Especially those who had good clothes, were stripped at 
, once, being told that such clothes were too good for rebels. Thus de- 
\ prived of their clothes and baggage, they were unable to shift even 
their linen, and were obliged to wear the same shirts for even three 
or four months together, whereby they became extremely nasty and 
lousy ; and this of itself has been sufficient to bring on them many 
mortal diseases. 
; " After they were taken, they were in the first place put on board 
I the ships and thrust down into the hold where not a breath of fresh 
air could be obtained, and they were nearly suffocated for want of 
I air. Particularly some who were taken at Fort Washington, were 
first in this manner thrust down into the holds of vessels in such num- 
'^ bers that even in the cold season of November, they could scarcely 
I bear any clothes on them, being kept in a constant sweat. Yet these 
I same persons, after lying in this situation awhile, till the pores of their 
I bodies were as perfectly opened as possible, were of a sudden taken 
I out and put into some of the churches in New York, without cover- 
ing or a spark of fire, where they suffered as much by the cold as 
I they did by the sweating stagnation of the air in the other situation ; 
I and the consequence was, that they took such colds as brought on the 
j most fatal diseases, and swept them off almost beyond conception. 
I " Besides these things, they suffered extremely for want of provis- 
! ions. The commissary pretended to allow half a pound of bread 
I and four ounces of pork per day ; but of this pittance they were 
] much cut short. What was given them for three days was not 
i enough for one day ; and in some instances, they went for three days 
I without a single mouthful of food of any sort. They were pinched 
\ to that degree that some on board the ships would pick up and eat 
I the salt, which happened to be scattered there ; others gathered up 
I the bran which the lighthorse wasted, and ate that, mixed with dirt 
j and filth as it was. Nor was this all, both the bread and pork which 
I they did allow them was extremely bad. For the bread, some of it, 
j was made out of the bran which they brought over to feed their 
j lighthorse, and the rest of it was so muddy and the pork so damni- 
I lied, being so soaked in bilge water in the transportation from Europe, 



224 KINGS COUNTY. 

that they were not fit to be eaten by human creatures ; and when 
they were eaten, were very unwholesome. Such bread and pork as 
they would not pretend to give to their own countrymen, they gave 
to our poor, sick, dying prisoners. 

" Nor were they in this doleful situation allowed a sufficiency of 
water. One would have thought that water was so cheap and plen- 
tiful an element, that they would not have grudged them that. But 
there are it seems no bounds to their cruelty. The water allowed 
them, was so brackish and withal nasty, that they could not drink it, 
till reduced to extremity. Nor did they let them have a sufficiency 
even of such water as this. 

" When winter came on, our poor people suffered extremely for 
want of fire and clothes to keep them warm. They were confined 
in churches where there were no fireplaces, that they could make 
fires even if they had wood. But wood was only allowed them for 
cooking their pittance of victuals ; and for that purpose very spar- 
ingly. They had none to keep them warm even in the extremest of 
weather, although they were almost naked, and the few clothes that 
were left them were their summer clothes. Nor had they a single 
blanket or any bedding, not even straw allowed them till a little be- 
fore Christmas. 

" At the time that those were taken on Long Island, a considerable 
part of them were sick of the dysentery, and, with this distemper on 
them, were first crowded on board of ships, afterward in the church- 
es in New York, three, four, or five hundred together, without any 
blankets, or any thing for even the sick to lie upon, but the bare floors 
or pavements. In this situation that contagious distemper soon com- 
municated from the sick to the well, and who would probably have 
remained so, had they not in this manner been thrust in together 
without regard to sick or well, or to the sultry, unwholesome season, 
it being then the heat of summer. Of this distemper numbers died 
daily, and many others, by their confinement and the sultry season, 
contracted fevers and died of them. During their sickness, with these 
and other diseases, they had no medicines, nothing soothing or com- 
fortable for sick people, and were not so much as visited by the phy- 
sician by the month together. 

" Nor ought we to omit the insults which the humane Britons 
offered to our people, nor the artifices which they used to enlist them 
in their service and fight against their country. It seems that one 
end of their starving our people was to bring them, by dint of necessi- 
ty, to turn rebels to their own country, their own consciences, and 
their God. For while thus famishing, tlfey would come and say to 
them, ' This is the just punishment of your rebellion. Nay, you are 
'treated too well for rebels ; you have not yet received half you de- 
' serve or half you shall receive. But if you will enlist into His 
* Majesty's service, you shall have victuals and clothes enough.' 

" As to insults, the British officers, besides continually cursing and 
swearing at them as rebels, often threatened to hang them all ; and 
at a particular time, ordered a number, each man to choose his halter 



KINGS COUNTY. 225 

out of a parcel offered, wherewith to be hanged ; and even went so 
far as to cause a gallows to be erected before the prison, as if they 
were immediately to be executed. They further threatened to send 
them all into the East Indies, and sell them there for slaves. In these, 
and numberless other ways, did the British officers seem to rack their 
inventions, to insult, terrify, and vex the poor prisoners. The mean- 
est upstart officers among them would insult and abuse our colonels 
and chief officers. 

" In this situation, without clothes, without victuals or drink, and 
even water, or with those which were base and unwholesome, with- 
out ffi'e, a number of them sick, first with a contagious and nauseous 
distemper ; these with others crowded by hundreds into close con- 
finement, at the most unwholesome season of the year, and continued 
there for four months without blankets, bedding or straw ; without 
linen to shift or clothes to cover their bodies ; — no wonder they all 
became sickly, and having at the same time no medicine, no help of 
physicians, nothing to refresh or support nature, died by scores in a 
night ; and those who were so far gone as to be unable to help them- 
selves, the workings of their distemper passing through them as they 
lay, could not be cleansed for want of change of clothes. So that 
many lay for six, seven, or eight days, in all the filth of nature and of 
dysentery, till Death, more kind than Britons, put an end to their 
misery. 

" By these means and in this way, above 1,500 brave Americans, 
who had nobly gone forth in defence of their injured, oppressed coun- 
try, but whom the chance of war had cast into the hands of our ene- 
mies, died in New York ; many of whom were very amiable, prom- 
ising youths of good families, the very flower of our land. And of 
those who lived to come out of prison, the greater part, as far as I 
can learn, are dead and dying. Their constitutions are broken, the 
stamina of nature worn out, they cannot recover, they die. Even 
the few that might have survived, are dying of the small-pox. For 
it seems that our enemies determined that even these, whom a good 
constitution and a kind Providence had carried through unexampled 
sufferings, should not at last escape death, just before their release 
from imprisonment infected them with that fatal distemper. 

" To these circumstances, I shall subjoin the manner in which they 
buried those of our people who died. They dragged them out of 
their prisons by one leg or one arm, piled them up without doors, 
there let them lie till a sufficient number were dead to make a cart 
load ; then loaded them up in a cart, drove the cart thus loaded out 
to the ditches made by our people, when fortifying New York ; there 
they would tip the cart, tumble the corpses together into the ditch ; 
and afterward slightly cover them with earth. 

" While our poor prisoners have been thus treated by 

our foes, the prisoners we have taken have enjoyed the liberty of 
walking and riding about within large limits, at their pleasure : have 
been fully supplied with every necessary, and have even lived on the 
fat of the land ; so none have been so well fed, so healthy, so plump, 

29 



220 KINGS COUNTY. 

and so merry as they. And this generous treatment it is said they 
could not but remember. For when they were returned, in the ex- 
cliange of prisoners, and saw the miserable, famished, dying state of 
our prisoners, conscious of the treatment they had received, they 
could not refrain from tears." 

In 1808, a tomb was erected to the memory of these martyrs to 
liberty, on the corner of Jackson-street, nearly opposite the end of 
Front-street, in the vicinity of the navy-yard. Thirteen coffins were 
filled with their bleached bones, and interred in it with great venera- 
tion and respect. There was a grand civic and military procession 
on the occasion, at which fifteen thousand persons are said to have 
been present. " The tomb is a small square frame building, sur- 
mounted by an eagle on the point of the roof; the interior is an ante- 
chamber to the vault beneath, in which the coffins are deposited ; 
there is a row of posts and rails in front of the tomb, on which the 
names of the 13 original states of the Union are inscribed ; the area 
around the tomb is enclosed by a rail fence, over the entrance of 
which is the following inscription: ''Portal to the Tomb of 11,500 
Patriot Prisoners, luho died in dungeons and prison ships, in and 
about the city of New York during the revolution.^ " 

The following account of the blowing up of the steamfrigate Ful- 
ton at the navy-yard in this place, June 4th, 1829, was written on 
the morning after the explosion : 

" The Fulton has ever since the war been occupied as a receiving ship, and was moored 
within two hundred yards of the shore. The magazine was in the bow of the ship, and 
contained at the time of the explosion but three barrels of damaged powder. The explo- 
sion was not louder than tiiat produced by the discharge of a single cannon ; and many 
persons in the navy.yard supposed the report to have proceeded from such a source, until 
they saw the immense column of smoke arising from the vessel. Others about the yard 
saw the masts rising into the air before the explosion, and immediately after, the air was 
filled with fragments of the vessel. It is not a little remarkable, that a midshipman who 
was, at the time of the accident, asleep on board of the frigate United States, within two 
hundred yards of the Fulton, was not at all disturbed by the report of the explosion, and 
was not aware of the occurrence, until he was told of it after he awoke. 

" The Fulton is a complete wreck ; the bow being destroyed nearly to the water, and the 
whole of this immense vessel, whose sides were more than four feet thick, and all other 
parts of corresponding strength — is now lying an entire heap of ruins, burst asunder in all 
parts, and aground at the spot where she was moored. Although she was but 200 yards 
from the navy.yard, and many vessels near her, not one of them received the least dam. 
age ; nor was the bridge which led from the shore to the Fulton at all injured. The sen. 
tine! upon the bridge received no wound whatever, and continued to perform his duty after 
the accident, as unconcerned as though nothing had happened. The sentinel on board the 
ship was less fortunate, and escaped with merely (a light accident on such occasions) a 
broken leg. There were attached to the Fulton, by the roll of the ship, 14.3 persons; and, 
at the time of the explosion, there were supposed to have been on board the vessel about 
sixty persons. 

" It happened fortunately that sixty-two men, formerly attached to the frigate, were drafted 
on Tuesday, and had proceeded to Norfolk to form part of the crew of the frigate Constel- 
lation, then on the eve of departure for a foreign station. The band, 17 in number, were 
on shore. This dreadful accident was occasioned by the gunner's going into the magazine 
to procure powder to fire the evening gun. He was charged by one of the officers pre- 
viously to his going below, to be careful ; and soon after, the explosion took place. We un. 
derstand that he was a man between fifty and sixty years of age, and had just been ap- 
pointed to that office ; the old gunner having been discharged the day before. He was de- 
sired by Lieutenant Brcckenridge to be cautious with tlie light, and to place it in the loca- 
tion invariably provided for it, on such occasions, viz. beliiiid a reflecting glass in the parti. 



KINGS COUNTY. 227 

tion, through which the rays of li»ht ure thrown. It is supposed he had been careless in 
this particidar, and that having carried the candle into the magazine, some of its sparks 
were communicated to the powder: but as he is among the dead, nothing certain on this 
point can ever be known. Lieutenant Mull states, that the necessary precautions had been 
taken for opening the magazine, and a sentinel placed at the hatch before he left the deck, 
and that after being in the ward room some twenty minutes the explosion took place. 

" At the time of the explo:<ion, the officers were dining in the ward room. The lady of 
Lieutenant Breckenridge, and the son of Lieutenant Piatt, a lad about nine years old, were 
guests, and one account says both were slightly wounded. Another account says, Lieuten- 
ant Mull, who was sitting next to the son of Lieutenant Piatt, with great presence of mind, 
caught hold of him and placed him in one of the port.holes, by which means he escaped 
uninjured. Lieutenant Piatt had returned only yesterday morning, having been absent one 
month on leave. Commodore Chauncey, with the commander of the frigate. Captain ISew. 
ton, left her only a few minutes before the explosion — the former having been on board on 
a visit of inspection. 

" The escape of Midshipman Eckford seems to have been almost miraculous. When 
Commodore Chauncey (who was one of the first to reach the vessel) got on board, the first 
object he saw was young Eckford hanging by one of his legs between the gun-deck, whither 
he had been forced by the explosion. A jack-screw was immediately procured, by means 
of which the deck was raised and he was extricated from his perilous situation. 

" The room in which the officers were dining was situated about midships. The whole 

\ company at the table were forced, by the concussion, against the transom with such violence 
as to break their limbs, and otherwise cut and bruise them in a shocking manner. 

" The magazine was situated in the bows of the vessel. This part of the ship, as may 
well be imagined, is completely demolished. Indeed the ship remains as complete a wreck 
as probably was ever beheld. The timbers throughout appear to have been perfectly rotten. 
Many of the guns were thrown overboard, and some of them (of large dimensions) hung 
as it were by a hair. 

" The bodies of the dead and wounded were brought on shore as soon as circumstances 
would permit. The former, after being recognised, were put into coffins. The latter were 

I carried to the hospital of the navy-yard and every attention paid to them. The bodies of 

I the dead were shockingly mangled ; their features distorted, and so much blackened, tliat 

I it was difficult to recognise them. 

" Commodore Chauncey and the officers of the station were on board the wreck, after 

I the explosion, giving directions to remove the scattered timber, in order that a search might 
take place for such bodies as might be buried in the ruins. The tide being at the ebb, im- 

I mense quantities of the fragments of the ship floated down in front of the city, and hun- 

( dreds of small boats were seen busily engaged in securing them. 

j " What is a very remarkable circumstance, although several of the persons at dinner in 

I the ward room escaped with their hves, and some of them uninjured, not a vestige of the 

I table, chairs, or any of the furniture in the room remains. Every thing was blown to atoms. 

( ' " The Fulton was built with two keels, or rather was in fact two 
I boats, joined together by the upper works. The sides were of im- 
I mense thickness, and the whole frame was, when built, probably the 
j strongest of the kind ever constructed. But the timbers had now be- 
I come very rotten, and the whole hulk was, as it were, kept together 
j by its own weight. It is supposed that the rotten state of the vessel, 
making her timbers give way easily, rendered the destruction greater 
J than if she had been new and sound. 

" Midshipman Eckford was standing in the starboard gangway, and 
Was strangely tumbled to the inside, instead of being blown out upon 
the platform. He was then caught under one of the beams, where 
he hung fast by one leg. 

" While he hung in this painful condition, not a groan, nor a com- 
plaint, nor a word of supplication escaped him. His cheek was un- 
blanched, and his features composed, while he held on to the beam 
with his arms to keep his head up. 

" Attempts were made to raise the beam, but there was such a mass 
of materials above, that no muscular force could move it. In this 



228 KINGS COUNTY. 

emergency, Commodore Chauncey, witn great promptness, ordered 
the jack-screw to be brought from the shore. This took time, and it 
was not then the work of a moment to apply it, and bring it into ac- 
tion. An horn' went by, ere the youth was extricated ; and yet not a 
single murmur of impatience was heard from his lips. His only 
words were in direction or encouragemeiit to those who were aiding 
him — exclaiming from time to time, ' Hurra juy hearties !' ' There it 
moves /' His only reproof was to the sailor, who, when the beam 
was raised, attempted, rather rudely, to withdraw the fractured limb. 
The sailor supported him whilst he performed the office himself. 

" The whole number of killed was thirty-three, including Lieuten- 
ant Breckenridge and the three women. Twenty-nine were reported 
as wounded, but there were many more who were slightly injured. 
Nearly every person on board received at least a scratch. 

" The greatest part of the mischief was done by the force of the 
fragments and splinters. These were driven into every part of the 
ship. Captain Newton, who commanded the ship, employed all the 
force he could spare, to clear the wreck, and find the bodies of the 
unfortunate sufferers. Twenty- four were taken out of the ruins at 
the time, but some of the others were not found till a considerable 
time after. One was found horribly mutilated, and drifted ashore on 
Staten Island. Another got fastened to a beam, and was picked up. 
Two were picked out of the water near the wreck." 

Brooklyn is distinguished as being the scene of important military 
operations, and was for a long time in possession of the enemy during 
the revolutionary war. The most sanguinary part of the battle of 
Long Island, August 27th, 1776, took place in this town. The fol- 
lowing account is from Thompson's History of Long Island. 

" After the commencement of hostilities in 1 776, New York being 
situated near the centre of the colonial sea-board, and readily acces- 
sible from the sea, was selected by the enemy as a principal point for 
their future operations. With this view, a first division of their army 
arrived at Staten Island in the latter part of June of that year, fol- 
lowed, about the middle of July, by the grand armament under Lord 
Howe, consisting of six ships of the line, thirty frigates, with smaller 
armed vessels, and a great number of transports, victuallers, and 
ships with ordinance. 

" The Americans anticipating the invasion of Long Island, had 
fortified Brooklyn before the arrival of the British at Staten Island. 
A line of intrenchment was formed from a ditch near the late Toll- 
House of the Bridge Company at the navy-yard to Fort Green, then 
called Fort Putnam, and from thence to Freek's mill-pond. A strong 
work was erected on the lands of Johannis Debevoice and of Van 
Brunt ; a redoubt was thrown up on Baemus' Hill opposite Brown's 
mill, and another on the land of John Johnson, west of Fort Green. 
Ponkiesburg, now Fort Swift, was fortified, and a fort built on the 
land of Mr. Hicks on Brooklyn heights. Such were the defences of 
Brooklyn in 1776, while a dtzvaux de frise was sunk in the main 



KINGS COUNTY. 229 

channel of the river below New York. The troops of both divisions 
of the British army were landed on Staten Island after their arrival 
in the bay, to recruit their strength and prepare for the coming con- 
flict. It was not till the middle of August, that a first landing on 
Long Island was made by them at New Utrecht. Here they were 
joined by many royalists from the neighborhood, who probably acted 
the infamous part of informers and guides to the enemy. General 
Sir Henry Clinton arrived about the same time, with the troops re- 
conducted from the expedition to Charleston. 

" Commodore Hotham already appeared there with the reinforce- 
ments under his escort ; so that in a short time the hostile army 
amounted to about twenty-four thousand men, — English, Hessians, 
and Waldeckers. Several regiments of Hessian infantry were ex- 
pected to arrive shortly, when the army would be swelled to the 
number of thirty-five thousand combatants, of the best troops of Eu- 
rope, all abundantly supplied with arms and ammunition, and mani- 
festing an extreme ardor for the service of their king. The plan 
was, first to get possession of New York, which was deemed of most 
essential importance. 

" To resist this impending storm, Congress had ordained the construction of rafts, gun- 
boats, galleys, and floating batteries, for the defence of the port of New York and the 
mouth of the Hudson. They had also decreed that thirteen thousand of the provincial 
militia should join the army of Washington, who, being seasonably apprized of the danger 
of New York, had made a movement into that quarter ; they also directed the organiza- 
tion of a corps of ten thousand men, destined to serve as a reserve in the province of the 
centre. All the weakest posts had been carefully intrenched, and furnished with artillery. 
A strong detachment occupied Long Island, to prevent the English from landing there, or 
to repulse them if they should effect a debarkation. But the army of Congress was very 
far from having all the necessary means to support the burden of so terrible a war. It 
wanted arms, and it was wasted by diseases. The reiterated instances of the commander- 
in-chief had drawn into his camp the militia of the neighboring provinces, and some regular 
regiments from Maryland, from Pennsylvania, and from New England, which had swelled 
his army to the number of twenty-seven thousand men ; but a fourth of these troops were 
composed of invalids, and scarcely was another fourth furnished with arms. 

" The American army, such as it was, occupied the positions most suitable to cover the 
menaced points. The corps which had been stationed on Long Island, was commanded 
by Major-general Greene, who, on account of sickness, was afterward succeeded by Gene- 
ral Sullivan. The main body of the army encamped on the island of New York, which, it 
appeared, was destined to receive the first blows of the English. 

" Two feeble detachments guarded Governor's Island and the point of Paulus' Hook. 
The militia of the province, commanded by the American General Clinton, were posted 
upon the banks of the Sound, where they occupied the two Chesters, East and West, and 
New Rochelle. For it was to be feared that the enemy, landing in force upon the north 
shore of the Sound, might penetrate to Kingsbridge, and thus entirely lock up all the Amer- 
ican troops on the island of New York. I^ord Howe made some overtures of peace upon 
terms of submission to the royal clemency, which, resulting in nothing, decided the British 
general to attack Long Island. ' Accordingly,' says Botta, ' on the twenty-second of Au- 
gust, the fleet approached the Narroios ; all the troops found an easy and secure landing- 
place between the villages of Gravesend and New Utrecht, where they debarked without 
meeting any resistance on the part of the Americans. A great part of the American army, 
under the command of General Putnam, encamped at Brooklyn in a part of the island which 
forms a sort of peninsula. He had strongly fortified the entrance of it with moats and in. 
trenchmenls ; his left wing rested upon the Wallabout bay, and his right was covered by a 
marsh contiguous to Gowanus' Cove. Behind him he had Governor's Island, and the arm 
of the sea which separates Long Island from the Island of New York, and which gave him 
a direct communication with the city, where the other part of the army was stationed under 
Washington himself. The commander-in-chief, perceiving the battle was approaching, 
continually exhorted his men to keep their ranks, and summon all their courage : he re- 



230 KINGS COUNTY. 

minded them that in their valor rested the only hope that remained to American liberty ; lliat 
upon their resistance depended the preservation or the pillage of their property by barbarians ; 
that they were about to combat in defence of their parents, their wives, and their children, 
from the outrages of a licentious soldiery ; that the eyes of America were fixed upon her 
champions, and expected from their success on this day either safety or total destruction.' 

" The English having effected their landing, marched rapidly for- 
ward. The two armies were separated by a chain of hills, covered 
with woods, called the heights, and which, running from west to east, 
divide the island into two parts. They are only practicable upon 
three points : one of which is near the Narrows; the road leading to 
that of the centre passes the village of Flatbush ; and the third is ap- 
proached, far to the right, by the route of another village called Flat- 
lands. Upon the summit of the hills is found a road, which follows 
the length of the range, and leads from Bedford to Jamaica, which is 
intersected by the two roads last described : these ways are all in- 
terrupted by precipices, and by excessively difficult and narrow 
defiles. 

" The American general, wishing to arrest the enemy upon these 
heights, had carefully furnished them with troops ; so that, if all had 
done their duty, the English would not have been able to force the 
passages without extreme difficulty and danger. The posts were so 
frequent upon the road from Bedford to Jamaica, that it was easy to 
transmit, from one of these points to the other, the most prompt in- 
telligence of what passed upon the three routes. Colonel Miles, with 
his battalion, was to guard the road of Flatland, and to scour it con- 
tinually with his scouts, as well as that of Jamaica, in order to recon- 
noitre the movements of the enemy. Meanwhile the British army 
pressed forward, its left wing being to the north and its right to the 
south ; the village of Flatbush was found in its centre. The Hes- 
sians, commanded by General Heister, formed the main body ; the 
English, under Major-general Grant, the left ; and the other corps, con- 
ducted by General Clinton, and the two lords, Percy and Cornwallis, 
composed the right. In this wing the British generals had placed 
their principal hope of success ; they directed it upon Flatland. Their 
plan was, that while the corps of General Grant, and the Hessians 
of General Heister, should disquiet the enemy upon the two first de- 
files, the left wing, taking a circuit, should march through Flatland, 
and endeavor to seize the point of intersection of this road with that 
of Jamaica ; and then rapidly descending into the plain which extends 
at the foot of the heights upon the other side, should fall upon the 
Americans in flank and rear. The English hoped, that as this post 
was the most distant from the centre of the army, the advanced 
guards would be found more feeble there, and perhaps more negli- 
gent: finally, they calculated that, in all events, the Americans would 
not be able to defend it against a force so superior. This right wing 
of the English was the most numerous, and entirely composed of se- 
lect troops. 

"The evening of the twenty-sixth of August, General Clinton commanded the vanguard, 
which consisted in light infantry ; Lord Percy the centre, where were found the grenadiers, 
the artillery, and the cavalry ; and Cornwallis, the rear-guard, followed by the baggage 



KINGS COUNTY. 231 

some regiments of infantry and of heavy artillery ; all this part of the English army put 
itself in motion with admirable order and silence, and leaving Flatland, traversed the coun- 
try called New Lots. Colonel Miles, who this night performed his service with httle ex- 
actness, did not perceive the approach oi' the enemy ; so that two hours before day the 
English were already arrived within a half mile of the road to Jamaica, upon the heights. 
Then General Clinton halted, and prepared himself for the attack. He had met one of the 
enemy's patrols, and made him prisoner. General Sullivan, who commanded all the troops 
in advance of the camp of Brooklyn, had no advice of what passed in this quarter. He 
neglected to send out fresh scouts ; perhaps he supposed the English would direct their 
principal efforts against his right wing, as being nearest to them. 

" General Chnton, learning from his prisoners that the road to Jamaica was not guarded, 
hastened to avail himself of the circumstance, and occupied it by a rapid movement. 
Without loss of lime he immediately bore to his left towards Bedford, and seized an im- 
portant defile, which the American generals had left unguarded. From this moment the 
success of the day was decided in favor of the English. Lord Percy came up with his 
corps ; and the entire column descended by the village of Bedford from the heights into 
the plain which lay between the hills and the camp of the Americans. During this time 
General Grant, in order to amuse the enemy, and divert his attention from the events 
which took place upon the route of Flatland, endeavored to disquiet him upon his right: 
accordingly, as if he intended to force the defile which led to it, he had put himself in mo- 
tion about midnight, and had attacked the militia of New York and of Pennsylvania, who 
guarded it. They at first gave ground; but General Parsons being arrived, and having 
occupied an eminence, he renewed the combat, and maintained his position till Brigadier- 
general Lord Stirling came to his assistance with fifteen hundred men. The action be- 
came extremely animated, and fortune favored neither the one side nor the other. The 
Hessians, on their part, had attacked the centre at break of day ; and the Americans, com- 
manded by General Sullivan in person, valiantly sustained their elTorts. At the same time 
the English ships, after having made several movements, opened a very brisk cannonade 
against a battery established in the little island of Red Hook, upon the right flank of the 
Americans, who combated against General Grant. This also was a diversion, the object 
of which was to prevent them from attending to what passed in the centre and on the left. 
The Americans defended themselves, however, with extreme gallantry, ignorant that so 
much valor was exerted in vain, since victory was already in the hands of the enemy. 
General Chnton being descended into the plain, fell upon the left flank of the centre, which 
was engaged with the Hessians. He had previously detached a small corps, in' order to 
intercept the Americans. 

" As soon as the appearance of the EngUsh light infantry apprized 
them of their danger, they sounded the retreat, and retired in good 
order towards their camp, bringing oif their artillery. But they soon 
fell in with the party of royal troops which had occupied the ground 
on their rear, and who. now charged them with fury ; they were 
compelled to throw themselves into the neighboring woods, where 
they met again with the Hessians, who repulsed them upon the Eng- 
lish ; and thus the Americans were driven several times by the one 
against the other with great loss. They continued for some time in 
this desperate situation, till at length several regiments, animated by 
an heroic valor, opened their way through the midst of the enemy, 
and gained the camp of General Putnam ; others escaped through 
the woods. The inequality of the ground, the great numbers of po- 
sitions which it offered, and the disorder which prevailed throughout 
the line, were the cause that for several hours divers partial combats 
were maintained, in which many of the Americans fell. 

" Their left wing and centre being discomfited, the English, desir- 
ous of a complete victory, made a rapid movement against the rear 
of the right wing, which, in ignorance of the misfortune which had 
befallen the other corps, was engaged with General Grant. Finally, 
having received the intelligence, they retired. But, encountering 



232 KINGS COUNTY 

the English, who cut ofl' their retreat, a part of the soldiers took 
shelter in the woods ; others endeavored to make their way through 
the marshes of Gowan's Cove ; but here many were drowned in the 
waters or perished in the mud ; a very small number only escaped 
the hot pursuit of the victors, and reached the camp in safety. The 
total loss of the Americans, in this battle, was estimated at more than 
three thousand men in killed, wounded, and prisoners. Among the 
last were found General Sullivan, and Brigadier-general Lord Ster- 
ling. Almost the entire regiment of Maryland, consisting of young 
men of the best families in that province, was cut to pieces. Six 
pieces of cannon fell into the power of the victors. The loss of the 
English was very inconsiderable ; in killed, wounded, and prisoners, 
it did not amount to four hundred men. 

" The enemy encamped in front of the American lines ; and on the 
succeeding night broke ground within six hundred yards of a redoubt 
on the left, and threw up a breast-work on the Wallabout heights, 
upon the Debe voice farm, commenced firing on Fort Putnam, and 
reconnoitred the American forces. The Americans were here pre- 
pared to receive them ; and orders issued to the men to reserve their 
fire till they could see the eyes of the enemy. A few of the British 
officers reconnoitred the position, and one, on coming near, was shot 
by Wilham Van Cotts, of Bushwick. The same afternoon Captain 
Rutgers, brother of the late Colonel Rutgers, also fell. Several other 
British troops were killed, and the column which had incautiously 
advanced, fell back beyond the range of the American fire. In this 
critical state of the American army on Long Island — in front a nu- 
merous and victorious enemy with a formidable train of artillery, the 




JVashington's Quarters at Gowanus, Brooklyn.* 

fleet indicating an intention of forcing a passage up the East river, 
the troops lying without shelter from heavy rains, fatigued and dis- 
pirited — General Washington determined to withdraw the army from 

* This dwelling, the head-quarters of Washington when on Long Island, is now owned 
by Mr. Cortelyou, and is situated on the Gowanus road near the sea shore, a mile and a 
half distant from the south ferry. 



KINGS COUNTY. 233 

the island ; and this difficult movement was effected with great skill 
and judgment, and with complete success. The retreat was to have 
commenced at eight o'clock in the evening of the 29th, but a strong 
northeast wind and a rapid tide caused a delay of several hours ; a 
southwest wind springing up at eleven, essentially facilitated its pas- 
sage from the island to the city ; and a thick fog hanging over Long 
Island towards morning, concealed its movements from the enemy, 
who were so near that the sound of their pick-axes and shovels were 
distinctly heard by the Americans. 

" General Washington, as far as possible, inspected every thing 
from the commencement of the action on the morning of the 27th ; 
till the troops were safely across the river, he never closed his eyes, 
and was almost constantly on horseback. After this the British and 
their allies, the tories and refugees, had possession of Long Island ; 
and many distressing scenes occurred, which were never made pub- 
lic, and can therefore never be known. The whigs, who had been 
at all active in behalf of independence, were exiled from their homes, 
and their dwellings were objects of indiscriminate plunder. Such as 
could be taken, were incarcerated in the church of New Utrecht 
and Flatlands ; while royalists, by wearing a red badge in their hats, 
were protected and encouraged. It is believed that had Lord Howe 
availed himself of the advantages he possessed by passing his ships 
up the river between Brooklyn and New York, the whole American 
army must have been almost inevitably captured or annihilated. 
General Washington saw but too plainly the policy which might 
have been pursued, and wisely resolved rather to abandon the island 
than attempt to retain it at the risk of sacrificing his army." 

BusHwicK is situated in the NE. extremity of Kings county. Pop- 
ulation of the town, including Williamsburg, 6,389. The settlement of 
the town was commenced by the Dutch, who were joined many years 
after by a number of Huguenot families, whose descendants are nu- 
merous and respectable in this and the neighboring towns. The name 
is of Dutch origin, indicating that the territory was remarkable for 
the woods which covered its surface in early times. From the or- 
ganization of the town till 1690, it was for certain civil purposes 
associated with the other towns in the county, except Gravesend, 
constituting a separate district under the appellation of the " Five 
Dutch Towns," and for which a secretary or register was specially 
commissioned by the governor to take proofs of wills, of mari'iage 
settlements, &c. These five towns formed but one ecclesiastical 
congregation. The population of Bushwick was inconsiderable at 
the time of the revolutionary war. The vicinity of its forests to the 
garrisons and barracks of New York and Brooklyn, led to the entire 
waste of the valuable timber, which abounded at the commencement 
of the contest. 

" On the 12th of May, 1664, the magistrates of this town sentenced one John Van Ly 
den, convicted of publishing a hbei, to be fastened to a stake, with a bridle in his mouth, 
eight rods under his arm, and a label on his breast with the words, ' loriter of lampoons, 
false accuser, and defamer of magistrates,' upon it, and then to be banished from the colo. 
ny. An instance also occurred, of a clergyman, who had improperly married a couple, 

30 



234 



KINGS COUNTY. 



being sentenced to 'flogging and banishment,' but which, on account of the advanced age 
of the dehnquent, was mitigated by the governor to banishment only. Another person, 
convicted of theft, was compelled to stand for the space of three hours under a gallows, 
with a rope around his neck and an empty scabbard in his hands. In 1664 permission was 
given by the town to Abraham Janson to erect a mill on Maspeth Kill, which was probably 
the first water-mill built within the town, and for grinding of the tovyn's grain he was to 
receive th^ ' customary duties: November 12, 169.5, the court of sessions of Kings county 
made an order ' That Mad James should be kept at the expense of the county, and that 
the deacons of each towne within the same doe forthwith meet together, and consider about 
their prupercons for niaintainence of said James.' " 




Western view of Williamsburg, New York. 

The above shows the appearance of the central part of the village 
of Williamsburg,* as seen from the Nev^ York side of the East 
river. This flourishing village was till within a few years an incon- 
siderable place, although it was commenced by a few spirited indi- 
viduals nearly thirty years ago, by erecting a few houses and estab- 
lishins: a ferry between it^and the foot of Grand-street. In 1817, a 
ferryboat, impelled by horse power, gave Williamsburg a new im- 
pulse, and in 1827, an act of incorporation was obtained. The vil- 
lao-e has a bold water front upon the East river, one mile and a half 
in^xtent, and a sufficient depth of water for all commercial purposes. 
Several laro-e and substantial wharves and docks have been con- 
structed, aflTording safe and convenient moorings for vessels even of 
the largest class. Its ferry is the nearest approximation to the uppei 
parts of the city of New York from the eastern towns of Long Island, 
by two lines of steam ferry boats. So great has been the progress 
of improvement that the ancient village of Bush wick can scarcly be 
identified, having been amalgamated with Williamsburg. The vil- 
lage has now upwards of 70 streets permanently laid out, about thirty 
of which have been graded and regulated, some paved, and one mac- 
adamized. There are upwards of six hundred dwellings, 5 churches — 
3 Methodist, 1 Dutch Reformed, and 1 Episcopal— a newspaper 
printing office, and manufacturing establishments of various kinds. 
Population of the village 5,094. 

* Williamsburg has recently been erected into a separate town. 



KINGS COUNTY. 235 

Flatbush, called by the Dutch Midwout, or Middle Woods, was 
first settled in 1651. In Dec, 1654, Gov, Stuyvesant, who seems to 
have exercised ecclesiastical as well as civil and military authority, 
gave oi-ders that a house of public worship should be erected in this 
town, " sixty feet long, thirty-eight wide, and fourteen feet in height 
below the beams." In 1655, he issued his commands that the people 
of Brooklyn and Amersfort should assist the people of Midwout in 
getting timber for the house. This building cost 4,637 guilders^ This, 
it appears, was the first church erected on the island. The Rev. 
Johannis Polheinus was employed to preach soon after its erection, 
with a salary of 1,040 guilders, (about $460,) raised by assessment 
upon the towns in which he officiated. " He was required by the 
governor in 1656, to preach every Sunday morning at Midwout; 
and in the afternoon, alternately at Amersfort and Brooklyn. 

The soil in this township is generally of a good quality, and by 
careful cultivation is made highly productive. The village of Flat- 
bush is about four miles from the City Hall of New York, and has 
several splendid private residences finely situated. The courthouse 
of the county was erected here in 16S5, and the courts continued to 
be held therein till it was destroyed by fire in 1832. Erasmus Hall, an 
academical institution, was incorporated in 1787, and has ever main- 
tained a high reputation. Pop. 2,099. 

Flatlands was originally called by the Dutch, New Amersfort. 
The settlement was commenced in 1636 ; and one of the fii'st grants 
for land was that for Barren Island, which at that time was much 
larger than at present, and covered with cedar and other timber 
whivch has long since disappeared. Ex-governor Van Twiller had 
a farm in this town at the time of its first settlement. The village 
of Flatlands, situated about 8 miles from Brooklyn, is a pleasant 
spot, in the centre of which is the Dutch church, originally erected 
in 1661, and has been since twice rebuilt. Pop. 810. 

" The surface of the town is, as its name indicates, a perfect level ; 
the soil, a light sandy loam, warm and pleasant to till ; and from the 
skill and industry of its farmnig population, yields a large amount over 
and above the wants of the mhabitants. The people, generally, are 
conspicuous for habits of economy ; and modern fashions have not 
yet extinguished their love of simplicity and substantial comfort." 

" An extraordinary interview took place on the 2d day of April, 1691, between the gov- 
ernor of New York and a sachem of Long Island, attended by his two sons and 20 other 
Indians. The sachem, on being introduced, congratulated Gov. Slaughter, in an eloquent 
manner, upon his amval, and solicited his friendship and protection for himself and his 
people ; observing that he had in his own mind, fancied his excellency was a mighty tall 
tree, with wide spreading branches ; and therefore he prayed leave to stoop under the 
shadow thereof. Of old (said he) the Indians were a great and mighty people, but now 
they are reduced to a mere handful. He concluded his visit by presenting the governor 
with 30 fathoms of wampum, which he graciously accepted, and desired the sachem to visit 
him again in the afternoon. On taking their leave, the youngest son of the sachem handed 
a bundle of brooms to the officer in attendance, saying at the same time, ' that as Leisler 
and his party had left the house very foul, he had brought the brooms with him for the pur. 
pose of making it clean again.' In the afternoon the sachem and his party again visited 
the governor, who made a speech to them, and on receiving a few presents they departed." 



236 KINGS COUNTY. 

Gravesend occupies the most southerly part of Kings county. 
Much of tliifi town consists of salt marsh, not more than one third 
being under cultivation ; the surface is generally level, but near the 
seashore there are some ridges of sand hills. Coney Island, which 
covers the town on the ocean, is about 5 miles long by 1 in breadth. 
The central part of the town is about 10 miles from the city of New 
York. Pop. 799. This place was settled by English emigrants from 
Massachusetts as early as 1640, who gave it the name of Gravesend, 
they having sailed from a place of that name in England, on their 
departure for America. They were soon after joined by Lady 
Deborah Moody, a woman of rank, education, and wealth, who, with 
her associates, were obliged to leave Lynn, and other places in Mas- 
sachusetts, on account of their religious sentiments. 

" Considering the situation of this town calculaled it for the site of a commercial village, 
they proceeded almost immediately to lay out 10 acres of ground near the centre, into streets 
and squares, which they enclosed with a palisado defence. The plan of the village is still 
preserved in the clerk's ofiice of the town, and is worthy admiration for its simplicity and 
beauty. It seems the project was soon after abandoned on discovering the insufficient 
depth of the water for the approach of large vessels. One of the original squares of the 
contemplated city was occupied by the courthouse of the county so long as the courts con- 
tinned to be held here ; another contained the first Du:ch church ; and a third has long 
been used for a public cemetery. On the same plot are a considerable number of graves 
of the first Quakers, the whole of which have been levelled by the plough, except that of 
Peter Sullivan and his wife, at the head of which is a large granite slab, containing only the 
names of the deceased. As this particular sect make no use of such memorials, it was 
probably placed here by some friend or relative who was not a Quaker." 

In 1645, a general patent for this town, written in Dutch and Eng- 
lish, was obtained from Gov. Kieft. The patentees named therein are 
Lady Deborah Moody, Sir Henry Moody, Baronet, Ensign George 
Baxter, and Sergeant James Hubbard with their associates. We 
find in Mr. Lewis's " History of Lynn," that Lady Moody came to 
that town in 1640 ; also, 

" That in 1635, she went from one of the remote counties in England to London, where 
she remained in opposition to a statute which directed that no person should reside beyond 
a limited time from their own homes. On the 21st of April in that year, the court of star, 
chamber ordered that ' Dauie Deborah Mowdie,' and others, should return to their heredita- 
ments in 40 days, as a good example necessary for the poorer class. Soon after her arrival 
at Lynn, she united with the church of Salem ; and on the 13th of May, the court granted 
her 400 acres of land. In 1641, she purchased the farm of the deputy-governor, John 
Humphry, called Swamscut, for which she paid i;i,100. Some time after she became im- 
bued with the erroneous idea that the baptism of infants was a sinful ordinance, and she 
was therefore exconnnunicated ; and in 1643, she removed to Long Island. Governor 
Winthrop, in his journal says, that ' in 1643, Lady Moody was in the colony of Massachu. 
setts, a wise and anciently religious woman ; and being taken with the error of denying 
baptism to infants, was dealt with accordingly by many of the elders and others, and ad- 
monished by the church of Salem, whereof she was a member ; but persisting still, and to 
avoid further trouble, &c., she removed to the Dutch settlements, against the advice of her 
friends.' ' After her arrival at Long Island, (says Mr. Lewis,) she experienced much trouble 
from the Indians, her house being assailed by them many times. Her wealth enabled her 
to render assistance to Gov. Stuyvesant, in some trouble with the neighboring settlers, in 
1654 ; and so great was her influence over him, that he conceded, in part, the nomination 
of the magistrates to her. In the quarterly court records, her son is styled Sir Henry 
Moody.' ' At the same court, 14th December, 1642, the Lady Deborah Moody, Mrs. 
King, and the wife of John Tilton, were presented, for holding that the baptism of infants 
is no ordinance of God.' From these historical records we learn the reason why the Lady 
Moody, her son .Sir Henry Moody, Ensign Baxter, Sergeant Hubbard, John Tilton, and 



KINGS COUNTY. 237 

Others of her associates and friends, left New England, and located themselves at Graves- 
end, where they hoped to enjoy the most perfect freedom of opinion, unawed by the civil 
power, and be allowed unmolested to propagate those religious opinions which to them 
seemed most agreeable to their principles of reason and justice. 

"On the first of January, 1643, a soldier was convicted before the court of sessions at 
Gravesend of having left his station while on guard, and was punished by being compelled 
to sit upon a wooden horse during the parade, with a pitcher in one hand, and a drawn 
sword in the other, to show that he liked beer better than his duty, and that his courage 
was always in proportion to the quantity of beer he consumed. ' At a town meeting, held 
September the 27th, 1644, it was voted, ihat those who have boweries, (farms,) should 
have 50 morgen of upland, with meadow proportionable to their stock ; and it was further 
ordered, that if any did not build a habitable house upon it before the last day of May next, 
should be defaulted, and forfeit their land to the town.' The records of this town, which 
were uniformly kept in the English language, are still preserved almost entire. They com- 
mence with the year 1645 and for a series of years are chiefly occupied with the records 
of wills, inventories, letters of administration, and a variety of private contracts, bargains, 
sales, &c. In January, 1648, the town elected Sergeant James Hubbard, a man of respec- 
tability and influence, to execute the office of schout, or constable, which was considered as 
one of much importance. On the 14th of April, 1649, John Furman agreed with the town 
to keep their calves three months for 20 guilders a month, to be paid in money, tobacco, or 
corn, and some bitters, if desired." 

" Coney Island, on the seaboard, is a place of great resort for 
strangers in the summer season, is constantly fanned by cool breezes, 
and affords an unlimited view of the ocean. 

" It is separated from the main of Long Island by a narrow creek or inlet, over which a 
handsome bridge has been erected. There is a fine spacious hotel here, called the Ocean 
House, which is conducted in a superior manner ; a railroad is attached to the establishment, 
and cars leave the hotel for the beach, a distance of 80 rods, at particular intervals during 
the day. The bathing at this place is not surpassed by any in the United States. The 
beach is a beautiful white sand. The island is about 5 miles long and 1 wide, and is en- 
tirely an alluvial formation. The destructive effect of ocean storms has long been very visi- 
ble here, for much of what was once Coney Island has now disappeared. It has been 
conjectured by some persons that Coney Island proper. 200 years ago, lay at the entrance 
of Sandy Hook, and was separated from the present Coney Island by a channel of consid- 
erable width, which is supposed to have been entirely demolished by a storm about 1715. 
It is well ascertained that in 1643 there was a convenient harbor for vessels of a large 
size, which is now in a great measure filled up. The exposed situation of this island sub- 
jects it to great encroachments of the sea, and to the probability that at some future (though 
perhaps distant) period it will be entirely destroyed. In a terrible gale which occurred 
upon the coast on the 26th of January, 1839, the whole of Coney Island, with the excep. 
tion of a few sand-hills, was completely inundated by the sea ; the basement of the Ocean 
House was filled with water ; the bridge was carried away, several small vessels were cast 
on shore, and one was driven a considerable distance towards Flatlands." 

New Utrecht is at the west end of Long Island, opposite the Nar- 
rows ; 9 miles S. from Brooklyn, The soil of the township is mostly 
a light loam or sand. Pop. 1,283. Bath House and village are upon 
the margin of the bay, a mile and a half from the Narrows, having a 
full view of the military works at that place. It is quite a favorite 
place of resort during the w^arm season. It was near this delightful 
spot that the British army, under the command of Sir William Howe, 
effected a landing, August 22, 1776, a few days previous to the disas- 
trous battle of Long Island. Fort Hamilton, at the Narrows, has 
become an important military station ; several handsome buildings, 
with an Episcopal church, have been erected at this place, and few 
situations can boast of a finer prospect. The town appears to have 
been first settled in 1654, by about 20 families from Holland, and a 
few Palatines, who at first erected a blockhouse, as well for security 



238 LEWIS COUNTY. 

against the natives, as from the hordes of wandering savages, robbers, 
and pirates, which for some time infested the country and this part 
of the coast. 

" Some years ago, on digging a few feet below the surface at the Narrows, more than a 
wagon load of Indian stone arrow-heads were discovered lying together, under circumstan- 
ces calculated to induce the belief, that a large manufactory of those indispensable articles 
of Indian warfare once existed at this place; they were of all sizes, from one to six inches 
in length, some perfect, others only partly finished. There was also a number of blocks 
of the same kind of stone found in the same rough state as when brought from the quarry ; 
they had the appearance of ordinary flint, and were nearly as hard ; not only arrow-heads, 
but axes, and other articles of domestic utility, were made from these stones. It will per- 
haps forever remain a matter of surprise and conjecture, how these native artificers, desti- 
tute, as they were, of iron tools, or even a knowledge of the use of them, could form and 
polish, with such exquisite art, so many various instruments from so hard a material." 



LEWIS COUNTY. 

Lewis county was taken from Oneida in 1805, and named in 
honor of Gov. Morgan Lewis. Centrally distant NW. from New 
York 275, and from Albany 130 miles. Greatest length N. and S. 
64 ; greatest breadth E. and W. 35 miles. The whole of this county 
was included in the patent from the state to Alexander Macomb, and 
was sold by him to William Constable, and by the latter in parcels : 
the portion west of the Black river, to capitalists in New York city, 
among- whom Nicholas Low, Richard Harrison, and Josiah Ogden 
Hoffman, were principal purchasers ; and the portion on the east of 
the Black river, to a French company in Paris. From these sources 
the present possessors derived their title. The first settlements com- 
menced here in 1795, by pioneers from Massachusetts and Connecti- 
cut, who with characteristic enterprise and perseverance entered the 
wilderness with a determination to surmount the most formidable 
obstacles. There were at this time small settlements at Utica and 
Fort Stanwix, (now Rome,) whence the settlers made their way into 
this county, by a line of marked trees, to the High Falls, on Black 
river ; and thence floated with the stream to the town of Lowville, 
where they established themselves. Their families followed in the 
succeeding winter, shod with snow shoes ; mothers making their way 
with their infants in their arms, whilst their husbands and fathers 
trod paths through the snow for their cattle and teams. It was not 
unusual, some time after, for farmers to go forty miles to mill, and to 
carry the grist upon their shoulders. 

The Black river divides the county into two not very unequal por- 
tions. Upon this river are broad alluvial flats, of easy cultivation 
and highly productive. Of the Black river we may observe here, 
that below the High Falls at Leyden, which are 63 feet in altitude, 
it has a tranquil course of nearly 40 miles through the country ; in 



LEWIS COUNTY. 239 

all which, it is navigable for steamboats. The Black river canal, the 
construction of which was authorized in May, 1836, commences at 
Rome in Oneida county. 

The county is at present thinly inhabited, but it merits attention 
from the great forests of useful timber which incumber the soil, the 
beds of iron ore which lie beneath it, and the vast water-power 
which the streams supply. The staple products are wheat, rve, 
Indian corn, peas, beans, oats, and barley, and the whole country is 
adapted to grass. It is divided into 11 towns. Pop. 17,849. 

Denmark, taken from Harrisburg in 1807 ; NW. from Albany 143 
miles. It is watered by the Deer river, which has at one place a fall 
of 175 feet, nearly perpendicular. Denmark, 14 miles N., and Copen- 
hagen, 12 miles NW. of Martinsburg, are small villages. Pop. 2,398. 

Diana, taken from the northern part of Watson in 1830; from 
Albany 150, and NE. from Martinsburg 22 miles. Louisburg is a 
post-office. Pop. 883. 

Greig, taken from Watson in 1828, by the name of Brantingham ; 
NW. from Albany 150, SE. from Martinsburg 18 miles. Branting- 
ham and Lyonsdale are post-offices. Pop. 592. 

Harrisburg, taken from Turin as part of Oneida county in 1803, 
and settled that year ; NW. from Albany 150, centrally distant NW. 
from Martinsburg 11 miles. Harrisburg post-office is on the Low- 
ville and Whitesville road. Pop. 850. 

Leyden, taken from Steuben when part of Herkimer county, in 
1797 ; NW. from Albany 116, from Martinsburg, S., centrally distant 
14 miles. Leyden Hill and Talcottville are small villages. Pop. 
2,438. 

LowviLLE, taken from Mexico when part of Oneida county, in 
1800 ; and named after Mr. Nicholas Low. Pop. 2,047. This 
place is distant from Albany 132 miles. The first settler was Jona- 
than Rogers, who emigrated from Branford, Ct., in the spring of 1795. 
At this time there were no settlements between here and the Canada 
line. Many others emigrated in the succeeding summer and fall, 
among whom were Moses Waters, James Bailey, Isaac Perry, Wil- 
liam and Charles Davenport, Judge Kelly, Silas Stow, Esq., Moses 
Coffin, and David Cobb. Rev. Isaac Clinton, a Presbyterian, was the 
first settled clergyman. During the early settlement, a few hundred 
of the St. Regis Indians were accustomed to hunt in this vicinity, and 
were of much assistance to the settlers. This is one of the best 
towns in the county, being bounded on the east by the rich lowlands 
of the Black river. Lowville, on the great road from Utica to Sack- 
etts Harbor, 3^ miles from Martinsburg, in a pleasant valley, hand- 
somely laid out in squares, is the largest village in the county, and 
contains 1 Presbyterian, 1 Baptist, 1 Methodist church, and 1 Or- 
thodox Friends meeting-house, a flourishing incorporated Academy, 
a printing office, publishing a weekly paper, 1 large grist and saw- 
mill, and 60 neat dweUings. Stowe's Square has 1 Presbyterian 
church, and a few dwellings. There is a post-office called West 
Lev ;i;it. 



240 



LEWIS COUNTY. 




SoiUheastern view of Lowville. 

The above engraving is from a drawing taken on the road to Mar- 
tinsburg in the SE. extremity of the village. The Presbyterian 
church is at the head of the street, and the spire of the Baptist at the 
left. The steeples of the Academy and Methodist church are seen 
on the right. 

Martinsburg, taken from Lowville, Champion, and Mexico, as part 
of Oneida county, 22d of February, 1803; NW. from Albany 129, 
and N. from Utica 48 miles. The first settler was Elijah Baldwin, 
who came here with his family in July, 1801, from Washington 
county. The first week they encamped in the forest, and their mid- 
night slumbers were disturbed by the howling of bears and other 
wild animals. Baldwin was in the employ of Gen. Walter Martin, 
who came shortly after him, and whose wealth and enterprise soon 
placed the settlement in a prosperous condition. Eherd Stevens and 
Nathan Cheney came about the same time with Gen. Martin, after 
whom the place was named. Rev. .Tames Murdock, a Presbyterian, 
was the first settled clergyman. Martinsburg, post village and county 
town, is situated upon a high and commanding site, contains a court- 
house and prison of wood, 1 cotton, and 1 woollen factory, 40 
dwellings, the Lewis County Bank, and a printing office. West 
Martinsburg has about a dozen dwellings and a post-ofiice. This 
town has 5 churches — viz : 2 Baptist, 2 Methodist, and 1 Presbyterian. 
Pop. 2,488. 

About two miles in a southwesterly direction from the village of 
Martinsburg is a remarkable chasm, near the junction of two forks 
of the Whetstone creek, a tributary of the Black river. This chasm 
is about two hundred feet in depth, and of a bowl-like shape. On 
the north and west sides the rocks are nearly perpendicular, but on 
the south sloping and covered with lofty trees. It derives its name, 
that of Chimney Point, from the resemblance which a prominence in 
the slate rock bears to the termination of a conical pointed chimney, 
while the horizontal strata increase the likeness by their similarity to 



LEWIS COUNTY. 



241 




Chimney Point Gulf, Martinshurg. 

tiles. The above drawing was taken on the south side, part of the way 
down the chasm. The point opposite, about six or eight rods distant, 
is the one from which its name is derived, and the beautiful cascade 
of nearly one hundred feet fall is one of the forks of the creek, the 
valley of the other being seen in the distance. The two unite a few 
rods to the east of the Chimney Point. The visiter usually approaches 
this spot from the south. The surface of the ground in the vicinity 
is nearly level, and as he comes upon its brink suddenly, its wildness 
strikes him with awe. Opposite and on the left are dark, massy, per- 
pendicular rocks ; before him are lofty pines and hemlocks, and far, far 
below, as it were in the very bowels of the earth, through the open- 
ings in the foliage, indistinct glimpses are caught of the foaming rivu- 
let, M'hile the roar of the waterfall and the grandeur of the surrounding 
landscape add an interest to the scene rarely experienced. Although 
unknown to the fashionable tourist, this place is not without incident. 
About 20 rods below, and on the same side where the drawing was 

31 



242 LIVINGSTON COUNTY. 

taken, is a rock called Peebles Slide, which derives its name from the 
following circumstance. In the spring of 1834, as Mr. Chillus L. D. 
Peebles, of Martinsburg, was drawing logs near the precipice, which 
here generally forms the boundary of the river, his foot slipped, and 
he fell. For the first twenty or thirty feet he slid, then' descended 
from the precipice perpendicularly for nearly one hundred feet, when 
striking some loose rock and sand, he rolled the remainder of the dis- 
tance to the bottom of the ravine. He was enabled to walk to a 
neighboring house, and although badly bruised, he soon recovered. 

PiNCKNEY, taken from Harrisburg and Harrison in 1808 ; NW. 
from Albany 153, and from Martinsburg centrally distant NW. 14 
miles. The town was settled by William Henderson, Esq., the ori- 
ginal proprietor. Pop. 907. 

Turin, organized as part of Oneida county in 1800; NW. from 
Albany 121, centrally distant SE. from Martinsburg G miles. Turin 
Four Corners and House ville are small villages. Pop. 1,704. 

Watson, taken from Leyden in 1821 ; NW. from Albany 136 
miles. Dayanville is a small village founded by Charles Dayan, Esq., 
on the falls of the Crystal creek, 9 miles N. of Martinsburg. Bel- 
foi't and Carter are post-offices. Pop. 1,707. 

West Turin, taken from Turin in 1830 ; NW. from Albany 130, 
centrally distant SW. from Martinsburg 15 miles. Constable ville 
and Collinsville are small post villages. Pop. 2,042. 



LIVINGSTON COUNTY. 

Livingston county was taken from Ontario and Genesee counties 
in 1821. Greatest length N. and S. 30 ; greatest breadth E. and W. 
28 miles. Centrally distant NW. from New York 360, and from Al- 
bany W. 224 miles. The surface of the country is in some parts 
hilly, in others quite level, or but gently undulated. Flats of rich 
alluvion border the Genesee river in its course through the county 
from 1 to 2 miles in width, but a gravelly loam predominates on the 
upland. The great staples are wheat, pork, and cattle. Of the first, 
it is estimated that there is an annual surplus of over a million of 
bushels. The Genesee Valley canal enters the county at Caledonia, 
and following the valley of the Genesee, crosses the same near Mount 
Morris, and passing along the valley of the Cashqua creek, leaves the 
county in the southern portion of Mount Morris. Four miles south 
of Mount Morris village, a branch runs to Dansville. The county is 
part of the tract ceded to Massachusetts, and is divided into 12 towns. 
Pop. 35,710. 

Avon, originally named Hartford, and organized by general ses- 
sions of Ontario county in 1789 ; from Albany 220 miles. This town 



LIVINGSTON COUNTY. 243 

was settled in 1790, by five families from Farmington in Connecticut. 
Avon is a village upon the upper bank of the Genesee, 10 miles NW. 
from Geneseo. It was laid out in 1826, by James Wadsworth, Esq., 
and contains an academy and about 70 neat dwellings. The river is 
navigable 20 miles for boats to the Erie canal, at Rochester, with 
which it is connected by a feeder. " The situation of the village in 
one of the most fertile and beautiful portions of western New York, 
and the valuable medicinal qualities of its springs, combine to render 
this one of the most attractive watering-places in the state. Three 
springs have already been discovered here, and as their chemical 
composition does not differ materially, it is probable that they exert 
similar effects on the animal economy. The first, called the New 
Avon Bath Spring, was discovered in 1835. Its depth is about 36 
feet, and the formation through which the water passes is limey slate. 
Its water, when heated, assumes a beautiful green color. These 
waters were known to the Senecas, who, until within a few years, 
inhabited a village on the opposite bank of the river called Canawa- 
gus. The Indian chief, Red Jacket, held them in high estimation. 
These springs are rapidly rising in public favor, and the place ere 
long is destined to become a second Saratoga. Upon the fiats there 
is a smgular pond about 2 miles in diameter, in an irregular circular 
form ; a neck of land runs into and expands within the circle occupy- 
ing the centre, on which are remains of ancient Indian works." East 
Avon, 11 miles NE., and Littel's Mills, 8 miles N. from Geneseo, are 
small villages. South Avon is a post-office. Pop. 2,998. 

The Genesee in the early French histories is called the Seneca 
river, probably from the circumstance that its rich valleys were stud- 
ded with the villages of the Senecas. This tribe, one of the Five 
Nations, was on terms of friendship with the English, while the Indi- 
ans of the upper lakes were strongly attached to the French. The 
subjects of these rival nations were exceedingly jealous of each other, 
particularly with respect to the Indian trade, which both endeavored 
to monopolize. Hence hostilities between these parties often occur- 
red. In 1787, Monsieur De la Barre, the governor of Canada, having 
made an unsuccessful attempt against the Five Nations, the Marquis 
De Nonville, his successor, resolved to retrieve the fallen honor of 
his countrymen. For this purpose he sent messengers to the tribes 
around the northern lakes, and succeeded in collecting a considerable 
body of Indians to assist him in his enterprise against the Senecas. 

" Preparatory to this expedition, De Nonville collected large supplies at Cadarackui, 'now 
Kingston,) in anticipation of the march of his troops, and the Indians from the neighbor- 
hood of Quebec, to that post. The advance of his army, consisting of two or three hundred 
Canadians, were commanded by M. Campagnie, who surprised two villages of the Five 
Nations, in the neighborhood of Cadarackui, and put the inhabitants to death with great 
cruelty, to prevent them, as it was said, from conveying intelligence of the movoments of 
the French to their own people, as it was supposed they had done in regard to the last ex. 
pedition under M. De la Barre. These people, however, had settled there at the invitation 
of the French, and anticipating no harm, were the more easily surprised. ' They were 
carried in cold blood to the fort,' (says Dr. Colden,) ' and tied to stakes to be tormented by 
the French Indians, (Christians as they were called,) and during the torture continued sing 
ing in their country manner, and upbraiding the French with their perfidy and ingratitude ' 



244 LIVINGSTON COUNTY. 

" Several attempts of the English to sow dissensions among the upper lake Indi- 

ans, and divert them from their purpose, having proved unavailing, and De Nonville's pre- 
parations for the expedition being completed, he departed from Cadarackui for the entrance 
of the Genesee river on the 23d of June, 1687, embarking his army in canoes, and sending 
one half thereof along the northern shore of the lake, while he, wiih the other half, passed 
coastwise by the southern shore, that no accidents by wind might altogether defeat the ex- 
pedition. So punctually were the arrangements executed, that both divisions arrived at 
Irondequoit on the same day, where their Indian allies appear to have been already assem- 
bled. Immediately alter landing, the canoes were hauled up, and a military defence was 
constructed, in which a guard of four hundred men was left, while the main body of the 
forces advanced upon the principal town of the Senecas — the site of which, at that time, 
was upon the Genesee river, within the territory now forming the town of Avon. Before 
departing from Irondequoit, however, a young Canadian Frenchman was shot for the crime 
of having conducted a party of Englishmen to the upper lakes The charge was that of 
being a spy, although France and England were then at peace. 

" During the march, the Indians, led by a party of Indian traders, formed the van, while 
the regular troops and Canadian militia composed the main body of the forces. They ad- 
vanced four leagues on the first day, without discovering an enemy. On the morning of 
the second, scouts were despatched in advance, who approached the cornfields of the vil- 
lages without making any discoveries — a circumstance not very creditable to the sagacity 
of De Nonville's Indians, since they passed within pistol shot of an ambuscade of five hun- 
dred Senecas. Supposing the warriors had all fled, De Nonville pushed rapidly forward, 
for the purpose at least of coming up with and capturing the women, children, and old men. 
But no sooner had the French reached the foot of the hill, (a short distance north of Com- 
stock's hotel, between the present village of Avon and the river,) than the war-whoop of 
the ambuscade rang in their ears, while a well-directed volley of musketry brought many 
of them to the gronnd. 

" The surprise was complete, and the panic so great that the divisions of the French 
separated in the woods, and in their confusion fired upon each other. Availing themselves 
of the advantage, the Senecas rushed in upon their foes with tomahawk in hand, and the 
battle was fierce and bloody until De Nonville's regulars had time to rally and move again 
in phalanx. The brave Senecas were then repulsed ; but it was an empty victory to De 
Nonville. He was so dispirited by the surprise he had met, that even his Indians could not 
persuade him to a pursuit that day. On the following day he marched upon the villages, 
with a view of burning them ; but that labor had been performed to his hands by the Sene- 
cas themselves. Two prisoners only were made by the invaders — old men, who were dis- 
covered in the castle — and who were cut to pieces and boiled into soup for De Nonville's 
alhes. The invaders remained five or six days, traversing the valley of the river for a few 
miles, and destroying the growing corn in the fields. They then returned to their canoes, 
and back to Canada — stopping awhile at Niagara, where a small fort was erected, in which 
a garrison was left of one hundred men. The Indians from the upper lakes were gratified 
with the erection of this post, believing that it would be of essential service in their opera- 
tions against the Five Nations, whom De Nonville promised yet to assist them in subduing. 
But that promise was never fulfilled. On the contrary, the fort at Niagara was so closely 
invested by the Five Nations, that eighty-eight of the hundred died of hunger, and but for 
the aid of a party of French Indians, the others would have shared the same fate. The 
Five Nations, moreover, afterward carried the war into Canada, even to Montreal and Que- 
bec. Ths loss of the Frencli, killed in the battle, was one hundred men and ten Indians. 
The Senecas had about eighty warriors slain. In the course of the expedition, De Non- 
ville contrived to make thirteen captives, who were sent to France as trophies, and thence 
as slaves to the galleys."* 

Caledonia, originally named Southampton, and organized as part 
of Genesee county in 1802 ; from Albany 228, from Geneseo cen- 
trally distant N. 12 miles. Pop. 1,985. Caledonia village has about 
60 dwellings. 

CoNEsus, originally named Freeport, afterward changed to Bow- 
ersville, and finally to its present name, was taken from Livonia and 

* The above account, and that relating to Geneseo, are extracted from a series of histori- 
cal and descriptive letters, published in the New York Commercial Advertiser during the 
summer and autumn of 1840. They were written by the editor, William L. Stone, Esq. 



LIVINGSTON COUNTY. 



245 



Groveland in 1819 ; from Albany 221, centrally distant SE. from 
Geneseo 10 miles. Conesus and West Conesus are post-offices. 
Conesus Centre is a small village. Pop. 1,654. 




Geneseo, from the residence of James TVadsworth, Esq. 

Geneseo is a large township, having an area of 36 square miles. 
Pop. 2,892. The rich alluvial bottom-lands of the river are spread 
out in this section to their broadest expansion. The village of Gen- 
eseo, the seat of justice of Livingston county, about one mile from 
the river, was incorporated in 1832. It contains about 120 dwell- 
ings, the county buildings, 3 churches, the Livingston county high 
school, 2 newspaper printing offices, and a bank. Distant from Al- 
bany 226, from Washington 345, and from Rochester about 27 miles. 
" The village is pleasantly situated upon a site sloping to the west, 
and enjoys a delightful prospect, stretching across the valley, and in- 
cluding the town of Leicester. The landscape, embracing an area 
of perhaps fifteen miles in diameter, agreeably undulated with gentle 
hills and valleys — rich in the garniture of fields, agreeably interrupted 
by masses of woods, and enlivened by villas, bespeaking the comfort- 
able circumstances of their owners — forms a prospect of matchless 
beauty. It is rendered still more picturesque by the river, which 
flows lazily through the valley, but disclosing only here and there a 
section of the stream, breaking through the bower of trees and clus- 
tering vines by which its bright waters are overarched. 

" This town was first settled by William and James Wadsworth 
in 1790. Lands being cheap, and they being gentlemen of sagacity, 
who foresaw the rapid growth of the country in no distant prospect- 
ive, they were enabled to accumulate splendid estates. The former. 
Gen. William Wadsworth, served with his militia command upon the 
Niagara frontier during the last war with England, and acquitted 
himself with gallantry. Mr. James Wadsworth yet survives in a 
green old age, the patriarch of the Genesee country. The whole valley 
of the Genesee was studded with Indian towns, when the white men 



246 LIVINGSTON COUNTY. 

made their advances thilher, and the country was full of Indians 
when he planted himself down among them. His mansion, the abode 
of refinement and elegant hospitality, is finely situated at the south- 
ern extremity of the principal street of the village, embosomed in 
groves of ornamental trees, thickly sprinkled, among which are the 
elm, locust, and willow, and looking out upon a princely domain of 

his own, including a broad sweep of flats Adjacent to the 

mansion is a large garden, rich with every description of fruit which 
the climate will allow, and adorned with flowers of every variety and 
class of beauty. 

" .... It was at this point that the memorable campaign of Gen- 
eral Sullivan in 1779 was brought to a close. In setting this expe- 
dition on foot, it was the intention of Washington that the American 
forces should pass through to the great Indian and loyalist rendez- 
vous at Niagara ; but having ravaged the most populous portions of 
the Indian country, Sullivan, for reasons never fully explained, pro- 
ceeded no further than Genesee — sending a detachment across the 
river, however, to Little Beardstown, (now the town of Leicester.) 
The Indian town of Genesee, lying on the eastern side of the river, 
was the largest of their populous places, containing according to Sul- 
livan's official report, ' one hundred and thirty-eight houses, most of 
them very elegant. It was beautifully situated, almost encircled with 
a clear flat, extending for a number of miles ; on which extensive 
fields of corn were growing, together with every kind of vegetable 
that could be conceived.' This and the neighboring towns, together 
with thousands of acres of corn, were destroyed. The Indians were 
disposed to make a stand for the protection of their towns, but the 
numbers and discipline of Sullivan's army were too much for them. 
At no great distance south of the village a consider- 
able stream, called Fall Brook, crosses the road, and descends into 
the river. Before it reaches the flats it plunges abruptly into a 
chasm one hundred feet deep. It is a tradition of the neighborhood 
that in one of the fights with Sullivan, many of the Indians were 
driven to the brink of this precipice, whence they leaped into the gulf, 
and were killed by the i'all. There is no mention of any such inci- 
dent in the official account of Sullivan, or in the other chronicles of 
the day." Sullivan's army encamped on or near this spot, and it is 
said that the initials of some of his soldiers are now plainly to be seen 
carved on the trees, to the left of the cataract. 

Grovel AND, taken from Sparta in 1812; from Albany 237, from 
Geneseo S. 7 miles. Pop. 1,993. Groveland Hill and Groveland 
are hamlets. 

Leicester, organized in 1802 as part of Genesee county; since 
changed ; from Albany 232, from Geneseo W. 5 miles. Moscow is 
a village, Gibsonville a post-office. Pop. 2,419. 

During Sullivan's expedition, Lieut. Boyd with a scouting party 
had a severe battle with a superior force of Indians in this vicinity. 
Boyd and a man named Parker were taken prisoners, and the former 
tortured in the most horrible manner. The following account is 
from Wilkinson's Annals of Binghamton : — 



LIVINGSTON COUNTY. 247 

" From Canandaigua the army proceeded to Honeoye which they destroyed ; and passing 
by Hemlock Lake, they came to the head of Connissius Lake, where the army encamped 
for the night, on the ground which is now called Henderson's Flats. 

" Soon after the army had encamped, at the dusk of evening, a party of twenty-one men, 
under the command of Lieut. WiUiam Boyd, was detached from the rifle corps, which was 
commanded by the celebrated Morgan, and sent out for the purpose of reconnoitering the 
ground near the Genesee river, at a place now called Williamsburgh, at a distance from the 
place of encampment of about seven miles, and under the guidance of a faithful Indian 
pilot. The place was then the site of an Indian village ; and it was apprehended that the 
Indians and rangers, as their allies were called, might be there, or in its vicinity. 

" When the party arrived at Williamsburgh, they found that the Indians had very re. 
cently left the place, as the fires in their huts were still burning. The night was so far spent 
when they got to the place of their destination, that the gallant Boyd, considering the fatigue 
of his men, concluded to remain quietly where he was, near the village, sleeping upon their 
arms, till the next morning, and then to despatch two messengers with a report to the camp. 
Accordingly, a litde before daybreak, he sent two men to the main body of the army with 
information that the enemy had not been discovered, but were supposed to be not far dis- 
tant, from the fires they found burning the evening before. 

" After daylight, Lieut. Boyd and his men cautiously crept from the place of their con- 
cealment, and upon getting a view of the village, discovered two Indians lurking about the 
settlement. One of whom was immediately shot and scalped by one of the riflemen, by 
the name of Murphy. Lieut. Boyd — supposing now that if there were Indians near they 
would be aroused by the report of the rifle, and possibly by a perception of what had just 
taken place, the scalping of the Indian — thought it most prudent to retire and make his best 
way back to the main army. They accordingly set out, and retraced the steps they had 
taken the evening before. 

" On their arriving within about one mile and a half of the main army, they were sur- 
prised by the sudden appearance of a body of Indians, to the amount of five hundred, un- 
der the command of Brant, and the same number of rangers, commanded by the infamous 
Butler, who had secreted themselves in a ravine of considerable extent, which lay across 
the track that Lieut. Boyd had pursued. These two leaders of the enemy had not lost 
sight of the American army since their appalling defeat at the narrows above Newtown, 
though they had not shown themselves till now. With what dismay they must have wit- 
nessed the destruction of their towns and the fruits of their fields, that marked the progress 
of our army ! They dare not, however, any more come in contact with the main army, 
whatever should be the consequence of their forbearance. 

" Lieut. Boyd and his little heroic party, upon discovering the enemy, knowing that the 
only chance for their escape would be by breaking through their lines, an enterprise of 
most desperate undertaking, made the bold attempt. As extraordinary as it may seem, the 
first onset, though unsuccessful, was made without the loss of a man on the part of the 
heroic band, though several of the enemy were killed. Two attempts more were made, 
which were equally unsuccessful, and in which the whole party fell, excepting Lieut. Boyd 
and eight others. Boyd and a soldier by the name of Parker, were taken prisoners on the 
spot ; a part of the remainder fled, and a part fell on the ground apparently dead, and were 
overlooked by the Indians, who were too much engaged in pursuing the fugitives to notice 
those who fell. 

" When Lieut. Boyd found himself a prisoner, he solicited an interview with Brant, 
preferring, it seems, to throw himself upon the clemency and fidelity of the savage leader 
of the enemy, rather than trust to his civilized colleague. The chief, who was at that mo- 
ment near, immediately presented himself, when Lieut. Boyd, by one of those appeals and 
tokens which are known only by those who have been initiated and instructed in certain 
mysteries, and which never fail to bring succor to a distressed brother, addressed him as the 
only source from which he could expect respite from cruel punishment or death. The ap. 
peal was recognised, and Brant immediately, and in the strongest language, assured him 
that his life should be spared. 

" Boyd and his fellow-prisoner were conducted immediately by a party of the Indians to 
the Indian village called Beardstown, after a distinguished chief of that name, on the west 
side of the Genesee river, and in what is now called Leicester. After their arrival at 
Beardstown, Brant, being called on service which required a few hours' absence, left them 
in the care of Col. Butler. The latter, as soon as Brandt had left them, commenced an in- 
terrogation, to obtain from the prisoners a statement of the number, situation, and intentions 
of the army under Sullivan ; and threatened ihem, in case they hesitated or prevaricated 
in their answers, to deliver them up immediately to be massacred by the Indians ; who, in 
Brant's absence, and with the encouragement of their more savage commander, Butler, 



248 LIVINGSTON COUNTY. 

were ready to commit the greatest cruelties. Relying probably upon the promises which 
Brant had made them, and which he most likely intended to fulfil, they refused to give 
Butler the desired information. Upon this refusal, burning with revenge, Butler hastened 
to put his threat into execution. He delivered them to some of their most ferocious ene- 
mies, among which the Indian chief Little Beard was distinguished for his inventive fe- 
rocity. Ill this, that was about to take place, as well as in all the other scenes of cruelty 
that were perpetrated in his town. Little Beard was master of ceremonies. The stoutest 
heart quails under the apprehension of immediate and certain torture and death ; where 
too, there is not an eye that pities, nor a heart that feels. The suffering lieutenant 
was first stripped of his clothing, and then tied to a sapling, when the Indians menaced 
his life by throwing their tomahawks at the tree directly over his head, brandishing their 
scalping-knives around him in the most frightful manner, and accompanying their ceremo- 
nies with terrific shouts of joy. Having punished him sufficiently in this way, they made 
a small opening in his abdomen, took out an intestine, which they tied to a sapling, and 
then unbound him from the tree, and by scourges, drove him around it till he had drawn 
out the whole of his intestines. He was then beheaded, and his head was stuck upon a 
pole, with a dog's head just above it, and his body left unburied upon the ground. Through- 
out the whole of his sufferings, the brave Boyd neither asked for mercy, or uttered a word 
of complaint. 

" Thus perished William Boyd, a young officer of heroic virtue and of rising talents ; and 
in a manner that will touch the sympathies of all who read the story of his death. His 
fellow-soldier, and fellow-sufferer, Parker, was obliged to witness this moving and tragical 
scene, and in full expectation of passing the same ordeal. According, however, to our in- 
formation, in relation to the death of these two men, which has been obtained incidentally 
from the Indian account of it, corroborated by the discovery of the two bodies by the 
American army, Parker was only beheaded. 

" The main army, immediately after hearing of the situation of Lieutenant Boyd's de- 
tachment, moved towards Genesee river, and finding the bodies of those who were slain in 
the heroic attempt to penetrate the enemy's line, buried them in what is now the town of 
Groveland, near the bank of Beard's creek, under a bunch of wild plum-trees, where the 
graves are to be seen to this day." 

Lima, originally named Charleston, and organized by general ses- 
sions of Ontario county in 1789; from Albany 213 miles. Pop. 
2,186. Lima village, centrally situated on the great v^^estern road, 
has about 100 dw^ellings, remarkable for their neatness. The Gen- 
esee Wesleyan University, a highly flourishing and M^ell-endovv^ed in- 
stitution, is situated here. 

Livonia, taken from Pittstown in 1808 ; from Albany 217 miles. 
Livonia Centre, Lakeville, 6 miles E. from Geneseo, Jacksonville, 
and South Livonia, are villages. Pop. 2,719. 

Mount Morris, taken from Leicester in 1818 ; from Albany 236 
miles. Pop. 4,547. " On the bank of the river in this town, an an- 
cient mound w^as discovered and opened in 1835, in which were some 
human skeletons in a very decayed state, and uncommonly large, 
with some stone arrow-heads, stone knife and cleaver, and a copper 
skewer, about the size of a pipe shank, flattened at one end and 
slightly twisted. The knife was of fine hard stone of the thickness 
of a quire of paper, with sharpened edges. The cleaver was of slate. 
These articles were of the rudest workmanship." There was for- 
merly an Indian village here called Allenshill. It was named after 
Ebenezer Allen, the first miller in Rochester, a monster in human 
shape. Many are the tales related of his wickedness, almost too 
painful for recital. One will sufiice. " During the revolution he was 
a tory, and on one occasion, when on a scouting party with some In- 
dians in the Susquehannah country, they entered a dwelling where 



LIVINGSTON COUNTY. 



249 



they found a man, and his wife, and one child, in bed. As they en- 
tered, the man sprang upon the floor to defend himself, but Allen felled 
him at a blow, struck off his head, and tossed it bleeding into the bed 
with the hapless woman. He then snatched the infant from its 
mother's bosom, and dashed its head against the jamb of the fire- 
place." Allen died in 1814, on the river De Trench, in Upper Can- 
ada — three of his wives and their children surviving him. 




Weste7'n view of Mount Morris village, Livingston county. 

The Indians sold out this country to Messrs. Phelps & Gorham, 
making, however, the reservation known as the Gardeau reservation. 
This, commonly called the White Woman's* land, is partly in this 
town, and partly in Nunda, and in Castile, Wyoming county. Mr. 
Thomas Morris from Philadelphia, from whom the town is named^ 
bought out Allen, and in 1804 the village was founded, mostly by 
families from Connecticut. Mount Morris village, incorporated in 
1835, is at the head of the boat navigation on Genesee river, 36 miles 
S. of Rochester, and by the Genesee valley canal 38 J> from Geneseo 
SW. 6 miles. The site is beautiful, being elevated above the fertile 
flats which border the river. The annexed view was taken near the 
residence of Mr. Joseph Starkey. The three churches seen in front 
are respectively the Episcopal, Baptist, and Methodist ; the spire on 
the left is that of the Presbyterian church. The hills in the distance 
are on the opposite side of the Genesee flats. The village contains 
about 120 dwellings. The post-offices are River Road, River Road 
Forks, Tuscarora, at Brushville village, and Brooks Grove. 

Sparta, organized as part of Ontario county in 1789; area since 
reduced ; from Albany 231 miles. Pop. 5,841. Dansville village, 
18 miles SE. from Geneseo, is at the head of the Genesee valley, 45 



* For a biographical sketch of Mary Jemison, or the " White Woman," the reader is re- 
ferred to Castile, Wyoming county. 



32 



250 



LIVINGSTON COUNTY. 




"Western view in Dansville, Livingston county. 

miles from Rochester. A side-cut connects this village and the 
valley of the Canascraga with the Olean and Rochester canal. The 
above is a central view^ in Dansville. There is a Lutheran and a 
Methodist church besides the one shown, which is a Presbyterian, 
and a flourishing Academy. This is a thriving place and rapidly 
increasing. Within the circle of 6 miles, there are no less than 60 
saw-mills. There are now in the village about 200 dwellings. The 
first settler in the village was Amariah Hammond, originally from 
New London, Conn. He came here in 1795, and erected in June of 
that year the first log cabin, which stood a few rods south of his pre- 
sent residence. Shortly after came Samuel Stillwell, Alexander Ful- 
lerton, Frederick Covert, Richard Porter, and others. The village 
was laid out in 1796, by Daniel Faulkner from Dansville, Penn., after 
which it was named. He was a wealthy enterprising man, and 
making large purchases of land, held out inducements to emigrants. 
When Mr. Hammond came, there was no blacksmith nearer than 40 
miles, at Bath. The usual price for laborers was ^2, and some, by 
jobbing, would earn 4 or 5 a day. In the spring of 1796, the settlers 
were alarmed by a loud noise like the report of a cannon. It was 
immediately ascertained to be the bursting out of a stream on the hill 
east of the village. The water came with such force as to throw 
forth earth and stones weighing two or three hundred pounds. An 
oak two and a half feet in diameter was cast butt foremost down the 
hill. The stream is supposed to be the outlet of a pond one and a 
half mile distant, on the summit of the mountain. It continues to 
flow to the present day, and is used to turn the wheels of a tannery. 
Before the revolution, according to tradition, a battle took place on a 
hill, a few miles distant, between the Canisteo Indians and those liv- 
ing in this vicinity, during which a chief of the latter was killed. 
When the whites first settled here, the spot where he fell was marked 
by a large hole dug in the earth in the shape of a man with arms ex- 
tended. An Indian trail led by the place, and the Indians, on passing, 
were always accustomed to clear away the dry leaves and brush 
which had blown in. This chief was buried in an old Indian bury- 



LONG ISLAND. 251 

ing ground which stood on the present site of the Lutheran church, 
and was thickly covered with graves to the extent of two or three 
acres. His monument consisted of a large pile of small stones gath- 
ered from time to time by the natives from a hill a mile distant ; who, 
on passing, were accustomed to take one in their hand and add to 
the heap. His bones were afterward disinterred by the settlers, and 
judging from them, and the length of the hole on the hill, he must 
have been 7 feet or more in height. Scottsburg, ByersviUe, Kysor- 
ville. and Union Corners, are small villages. Sparta is a post-otfice. 

Springwater, taken from Sparta and Naples in 1816; from Gene- 
seo, SE., 18 miles. Springwater valley is a small village. Pop. 
2,832. 

York, taken from Caledonia and Leicester in 1819; from Albany 
237 miles. Pop. 3,644. Fowlersville, on the Genesee, 10 miles N., 
Greggsville, 4 miles NW. from Geneseo, and York Centre, are small 
villages. 



LONG ISLAND.* 

" Long Island may be described as the southeasterly portion of the 
state of New York, and extending from about 40° 34' to 41° 10' 
north latitude, and from 2° 58' to 5° 3' east longitude from Washing- 
ton city ; being in length from Fort Hamilton, at the Narrows, to 
Montauk Point, nearly one hundred and forty miles, with a mean 
range north, 90° 44' east. Its breadth from the Narrows, as far east 
as the Peconic bay, varies from 12 to 20 miles in a distance of ninety 
miles." A ridge or chain of hills commences at New Utrecht, in 
Kings county, and extends with occasional interruptions to near 
Oyster Pond Point, in Suffolk county. The surface of the island 
north of the ridge is in general rough and broken, while the surface 
south of the range is almost a perfect plain, with scarce a stone ex- 
ceeding in weight a few ounces. 

On the south side of the island is the great South bay, extending 
from Hempstead to the eastern boundary of Brookhaven — a distance 
of more than seventy miles of uninterrupted inland navigation. It 
varies in width from two to five miles, communicating with the sea 
by a few openings in the beach, the principal of which is opposite 
the town of Islip, called Five Island Inlet, In this bay are very ex- 
tensive tracts of salt marsh, and islands of meadow furnishing im- 
mense quantities of grass ; while its waters contain great quantities 
of shell and scale fish. Wild-fowl of many kinds and in almost 
countless numbers are found here, and many hundreds of people are 
engaged in taking them for the New York market. The north shore 

* A history of Long Island in an octavo volume of 536 pages, by B. F. Thompson, Esq., 
has been recently published; it is to this valuable and interesting work that the authors are 
deeply indebted for the accoimt given of the various towns on Long Island. 



252 LONG ISLAND. 

of the island is very irregular, and where not protected by masses of 
rock and stone, has been worn away by the sea to a considerable 
extent. The soil on the north side generally consists of loam, on the 
south side it consists more of sand, while through the middle of the 
island it consists chiefly of sand and gravel. The soil on the high 
grounds is in most cases better than that upon the plains, yet that 
found upon the necks or points on both sides is better than either. 
The soil in the vicinity of New York is highly productive and valua- 
ble, but in the greater part of the island it is naturally light and poor. 
Much of the land in the central part of tlie island is covered with a 
vast pine forest, in which wild deer are still to be found. 

" Long Island Sound is a bay, or inland sea, with two outlets. If 
considered as extending from the Battery, in New York, to Fisher's 
island, its length is the same as that of the island. Proceeding from 
the city, easterly, it has a tortuous course of 16 miles, in which it 
varies from half a mile to two miles in width. From the Battery to 
Harlaem river, the course is NNE. 8 miles, and thence to Throg's 
Point, nearly E., 8 more. This portion is known as the East river. 
At the bend, opposite to Harlaem river, is the noted pass of He lie Gat 
(Dutch) or the gut of hell, narrow, crooked, and to the inexperienced, 
dangerous. The water here, when the tide is rising or falling, forms 
cataracts and vortices, which may dash to pieces or swallow up the 
largest vessel coming within their influence. The best times for pass- 
ing it ai'e at high and low water. 

" Above Throg's Point, the Sound, properly speaking, commences, 
and turns to the NE. 18 miles, between Lloyd's neck and Stamford, in 
Connecticut. Thus far the shores are rugged and the channel rocky, 
and much interrupted by small islets and projecting points ; but be- 
yond Lloyd's neck it opens into a noble elliptical expanse, from 8 to 
20 miles wide, and with depth suflicient for the largest vessels of 
commerce or war ; presenting, along its northern shore, a continued 
picture of gradually rising hills, bold promontories, and commodious 
havens, which is chased before the eye like a briUiant phantasmago- 
ria, in the rapid passage of the steamboats." 

Long Island was claimed by the Dutch and English nations re- 
spectively by right of discovery. The Dutch commenced their set- 
tlements as early as 1625, at the west end of the island. In 1623, 
the Plymouth company, by order of Charles I., issued letters patent 
to William Alexander, Earl of Stirling, for the whole of the island. 
The Enghsh made settlements at the east end of the island, but they 
were for a season resisted by the Dutch. The settlements, both at 
the E. and W. end, were nearly cotemporary. In the Dutch 
towns, the Indian title was bought by the governor, and the lands 
granted to individuals by him ; in the English towns lands were ob- 
tained under the license of the agent of Lord Stirling, and after his 
death, by the people of the several towns for their common benefit. 
The line of division between the two nations was a source of much 
contention and many complaints. The several English towns united 
.themselves with the colonies of Connecticut and New Haven. After 



LONG ISLAND. 253 

Connecticut received her royal charter, in 1662, she exercised juris- 
diction, and gave each of the towns who united with her, permission to 
send a deputy to the general court. But before these measures could 
be fully completed they were frustrated by the grant of Long Island 
to the Duke of York. 

The following account of the Indians on Long Island, is taken 
from " Wood's History of Long Island" pubhshed in 1828. 

" When the first settlements were made on the island by the Dutch and English, it ap- 
pears, from the original Indian deeds, that the principal tribes that occupied it, were as 
follows : — 

" The Canarse, the Rockaway, the Merikoke, the Marsapeague, the Secatague, and the 
Patchague, on the south side — the Matinecoc, the Nissaquague, the Satauket, and the Cor- 
chaug, on the north side ; the Shinecoc, the Manhanset, and the Montauk, from the Canoe 
Place on Montauk Point. 

" The Canarse appears to have been the only tribe, or the only tribe of any consequence, 
in Kings county. This tribe claimed the chief part of the lands in Kings county, and a 
part of the lands in Jamaica. 

" The Rockaway tribe claimed the territory around Rockaway, and more or less of the 
lands in Newtown and Jamaica. 

" The Merikoke and Marsapeague tribes extended from Rockaway through Queens 
county into Suffolk, on the south side of the island. 

" The tenitory of the Matinecoc tribe extended from Flushing through Queens county 
to Fresh Pond in Suffolk, on the north side. 

" The Nissaquague tribe extended from Fresh Pond to Stonybrook. 

" The Satauket tribe claimed from Stonybrook to the Wading river. 

" The Corchaug tribe extended from the Wading river through South Old on the north 
side. 

" The territory of the Manhanset tribe was Shelter-Island. 

" The territory of the Secataug tribe adjoined that of the Marsapeagues, and extended to 
Patchogue. 

" The territory of the Patchogue tribe extended to South Hampton. 

" The Shinecoc tribe extended from the Canoe Point to Montauk, and that peninsula 
was the seat of the Montauk tribe. 

" There are one or two other tribes named in the old records, but the place they occu- 
pied cannot be ascertained, and it is evident from that circumstance, that they must have 
been very small, perhaps the mere remnants of tribes which had been destroyed in their 
wars. 

" Those above enumerated are the principal tribes that occupied the island when the 
Enghsh and Dutch commenced their settlements there, and the original purchases of the 
several towns were made of these tribes. 

" The Indian settlements were all on the bays, creeks, and harbors on the north and 
south sides of the island, and their territories were divided from each other by the middle 
of the island. 

" At the time of the first settlement of the island, the whole Indian population was con- 
siderable, but by no means as great as the facilities of subsistence would have authorized us 
to expect, nor as great as it probably had formerly been. 

*' The shell banks which indicate the sites of their villages, on the western half of the 
island, are large and numerous, and beds of shells of some size or other are found at inter, 
vals of a few miles all around the margin of the island. From these it would seem that 
the population of some parts of the island was once very numerous, or must have been sta. 
tionary there a long time.* 

" The state of the Indian population must be ascribed to their perpetual wars, by which 
they had been diminished. 

" All savage nations are addicted to war. The causes of war among them are numerous, 
and the mode of carrying it on destructive to their numbers. 



* " The shell banks in the western towns of Suffolk county are much larger and more 
numerous than in the eastern towns, where shell fish are as abundant : which proves that 
the western part of the island had been the longest settled, and that the Indian emigration 
proceeded from west to east." 



254 LONG ISLAND. 

" It appears that Long Island had been overrun by hostile tribes, and many of the natives 
must have been destroyed by them. 

" The confederacy of the Five Nations extended their conquests as far south as Manhattan 
Island, and had passed over to the west end of Long Island, and subdued the Canarse 
Indians. 

" There is a tradition among the Dutch, that at the lime of the first settlement of the 
island, the Canarse tribe paid the Mohawks an annual tribute of wampum and dried clams, 
and that they discontinued the payment of it on the persuasion of the whites, in conse- 
quence of which a party of the conquerors came and destroyed the whole tribe, except a 
few who happened to be from home. 

" Some writers have supposed that the conquest of the Mohawks extended to the whole 
island, but there is no tradition to support it, and it is believed that the conquest never 
extended beyond the territories of the Canarse Indians. This may have been owing to the 
fact, that all the other Indians were in subjection to the Pequots. It is well known that 
this tribe never was subdued by the Five Nations, and it would have been a violation of their 
rules of warfare, to have turned their arms against a tributary people, when they had not 
subdued the power that held them in subjection. 

" The Montauks had probably been the most warlike tribe on Long Island, had overrun 
the other tribes on the island east of the Canarse territory, and had reduced them to some 
kind of subjection. At the time of the first settlement of the island, the Montauk sachem 
claimed and exercised some kind of sovereignty over the whole territory, and it is stated 
that he justified his claim before the governor and council in virtue of a former conquest of 
the country. In 1659, he conveyed the territory which constitutes the town of Smithtown, 
then occupied by the Nissaquague Indians, to Lyon Gardiner. 

" It was under a belief of his superiority over the chiefs of the other tribes, that the first 
settlers were anxious to have their purchase deeds signed by that chief, as well as by the 
sachem of the tribe of whom the land was purchased. 

" The confirmation deed of Hempstead in 1657, the deed for Lloyd's neck, and others, 
are executed in this manner, and in some of the original deeds the Mantauk chief is styled 
the sachem of Long Island. 

" The superiority ascribed to the chief of that tribe after the settlement of the country, 
might have arisen in part from the distinction conferred on him or recognised by the com- 
missioners of the united colonies. In 1651 it is stated in some of our early records, that 
they constituted one, who is supposed to have been the Montauk chief, grand sachem of 
the Long Island Indians. It is probable that the commissioners only recognised or con- 
firmed an authority with which they found him invested. 

" It is evident from the early writers of New England, that the Pequots, who occupied 
the country around New London, and was the most warlike tribe in Connecticut, had sub. 
dued the Montauks with their tributaries, and that at the time of the first settlement of 
New England, the Long Island Indians were in subjection to the Pequots, and paid them 
a tribute. The \'ictory over the Montauks involved the subjection of all the tribes that 
were under them, and the conquest of the Pequots must have embraced all the tribes on 
the island east of the Canarse territory. 

" In 1637, the New England colonies made war on the Pequots, to avenge the murders 
and other hostile aggressions which they had committed on the whites, and subdued and 
dispersed the whole tribe. The Long Island Indians who had been subject to the Pequots, 
immediately repaired to the English to make their peace with them. Winthrop, in his 
journal, states that on the reduction of the Pequots in 1637, 'sachems from Long Island 
came voluntarily and brought a tribute to us of twenty fathom of wampum each of them.' 

" From this time they seem to have considered themselves to be in subjection to the 
English, and to have paid them tribute, perhaps the same they had paid the Pequots. In 
1644, they appHed to the commissioners for some evidence of their relation to them, and 
the commissioners gave them a certificate in writing, in eflect promising them security 
from injury by the English, and all others in friendship with them ; at which time they as- 
sured the commissioners ' that they had been tributaries to the Enghsh ever since the Pe. 
quot war, and that they had never injured the English or Dutch, but had been friendly to 
both,' which implied that they had been subject to the Pequots and followed their fate. In 
1650, the commissioners sent Captain Mason to Long Island to require payment of the 
tribute due from the Indians there, and to settle a way in which it might be punctually 
discharged in future. 

" In 1656, the Montauk chief visited the commissioners at Boston, and in answer to an 
inquiry whether he had paid the tribute due from him, stated that he had paid it at Hartford 
for the space of ten years, and that it was in arrear for the four last years, which they re. 
mitted in consideration of his distressed condition by the late war in which he had been 



MADISON COUNTY. 255 

engaged with the Narragansetts. In 1653, Ninnigrate, the chief of the Nehantic Indians, 
who were either a tribe of the Narragansetts or closely connected with them, made war on 
the Long Island Indians, which lasted several years, and reduced them to great extremity. 
He invaded the territory of the Montauks, and would have extirpated the whole tribe, if 
they had not found protection in the humanity of the people of East Hampton. 

" They were obliged to abandon their villages, and to flee for refuge to East Hampton, 
where they were kindly received, sustained, and protected. They continued to reside in 
that town for several years, before they deemed it safe to return to Montauk. 

Long Island is divided into three counties, Kings, Queens, and 
Suffolk. An account of the various towns on the island, with his- 
torical notices, &c., is given under the head of these counties in their 
alphabetical order. 



MADISON COUNTY. 

Madison county was taken from Chenango county in 1806, and 
named after James Madison, president of the United States. Great- 
est length N. and S. 33, greatest breadth E. and W. 32 miles. Cen- 
trally distant from New York 250, from Albany 108 miles. The 
surface of the county is much diversified. The middle and southern 
towns are more or less uneven and hilly ; but the northern is more 
level. In the northern part much wheat is produced : the southern 
is better adapted to grass. The county is generally well watered. 
The route of the Chenango canal follows up the Oriskany, and crosses 
thence into the Chenango valley. The Erie canal runs westerly 
through the northern towns of Lenox and Sullivan. The county is 
divided into 14 towns. Pop. 40,032. 

Brookfield, taken from Paris when part of Herkimer county, in 
1795 ; from Albany 90 miles. Pop. 3,695. Clarksville, incorporated 
in 1834, has about 60 dwellings. Leonardsville, on the Unadilla 
river, 22 miles SE. from Morristown, is a small settlement. 

Cazenovia, taken from Whitestown and Paris when part of Her- 
kimer county, in 1795 ; from Albany 113 miles. When erected, this 
town comprised an area nearly equal to that of the county. Pop. 
4,153. It was first settled in 1793, by Col. John Linklaen, from Am- 
sterdam, agent for a company in Holland, who were owners of large 
tracts in this and the adjacent towns, and sold them out in farms 
principally to New Englanders. Cazenovia village was founded by 
Col. Linklaen, about 1695, and incorporated in 1800. 

It is situated upon the margin of Cazenovia lake and its outlet, and 
upon Chittenango creek, 8 miles S. of the Erie canal, 1 1 from Morris- 
ville, 40 from Utica, and 113 from Albany. The following engraving 
is a S W. view of the village as seen from the bridge, at the outlet of 
the lake. The village contains upwards of 200 dwellings, 1 Presby- 
terian, 1 Methodist, 1 Baptist, and 1 Congregational church, a bank, 
2 printing offices, and the " Oneida Conference Seminary," incorpo- 
rated in 1825. This institution was established under the patronage 



256 



MADISON COUNTY. 




South JVestern view of Cazenovia. 

of the Methodist denomination for the education of youth of both 
sexes. It has ever maintained a high standing. The number af 
pupils in 1840 was 327. Woodstock is a small village. 

De Ruyter, , taken from Cazenovia in 1798; from Albany 123 
miles. Pop. 1,799. De Ruyter village is 17 miles SW. from Mor- 
risville, and was incorporated in 1833. It contains about 80 dwell- 
ings and the De Ruyter Institute, a flourishing literary seminary, es- 
tablished a few years since under the patronage of the Seventh-day 
Baptists. The annual catalogue for 1840 gives 162 as the numbei 
of pupils male and female, A newspaper entitled the " Seventh-day 
Baptist Register," is published in the village. 

Eaton, named in honor of General William Eaton, settled in 1794^ 




Northeast view of the public bziildings in Morrisville. 
and taken from Hamilton in 1807 ; from Albany 100 miles. Pop. 



MADISON COUNTY. 257 

3,408. Morrisville, the county seat, on the three great western turn- 
pikes, 102 miles from Albany, 15 S. of the Erie canal at Canastota, 
was founded in 1803 by Thomas Morris, and incorporated in 1833: 
settled principally by emigrants from Connecticut. The above view 
shows the county buildings and all the churches in the village ex- 
cepting the Baptist. The first building on the left is the jail ; the 
second, with a cupola, the county house ; the third, the county clerk's 
office ; the fourth, the Methodist church ; and the two on the right, 
are respectively the academy and the Presbyterian church. There are 
in the village and vicinity about 100 buildings. Eaton village, some- 
times called the Log City, 4 miles SE. from Morrisville, was founded 
in 1790 by Mr. Joseph Morse, and has about as many dwellings as 
Morrisville, and 1 Baptist and 1 Presbyterian church. Pratts Hollow, 
3i miles N. of Morrisville, is a small village. 

In September, 1823, an Indian by the name of Abram Antone was 
executed at this place for murder. The following narration is drawn 
from a memoir published at that time. 

Abram Antone was bom in the year 1750, on the banks of the Susquehannah. When 
a boy, his parents removed to Chenango. During the revolution he took up arms in favor 
of the Americans, and besides being in several battles, it is said, was employed on a secret 
mission by Governor Clinton. Bold, adventurous, and revengeful, few dared to encounter 
his wrath. Years might elapse before the opportunity for revenge was afforded : but then, 
when perhaps the hapless offender least expected, he paid the price of his temerity with his 
life. " But the most atrocious deed of all, was one at which humanity starts with horror — 
the murder of an infant child, and that child his own ! The circumstances of this event are 
almost too horrible to relate. It appears from the account of his wife, that returning from 
an assembly of Indians one evening to his wigwam, he found his little child of four or five 
months old vociferously crying. Impatient at the noise, the monster snatched the child 
from its mother's arms, and raking open a hot bed of coals, buried the infant beneath 
them." 

The following are the circumstances connected with the murder for which he was executed. 
— " In the year 1810, Mary, the daughter of Antone, formed a connection with a young 
Indian, it is said of the Stockbridge tribe ; however, the connection was soon broke off, and 
the young savage left his former mistress for one more agreeable. This so enraged the he. 
roine, that she determined to kill her rival, which she effected by stabbing her with an 
Indian knife. When arrested, and on her way to prison, she manifested a remarkable 
indifference as to her fate, justifying herself concerning the murder of the squaw, by observ. 
ing that she had got away her Indian, and deserved to die. She was executed in Smith, 
field, in this county. John Jacobs was the principal evidence against her. He had also 
been very active in her arrest. In short, he was considered by Antone as the principal 
cause of his daughter's death, and both before and after her execution he openly threatened 
to kill him the first opportunity. Jacobs hearing of it, left the country, and did not return 
till Antone sent him word that he would not molest him, probably for the purpose of getting 
him into his power. The circumstances of the poor fellow's death are these : Relying on 
Antone's promise, he did not take all the precaution which seems to have been necessary. 
He was hoeing corn in a field, with a number of men, when Antone came up in a friendly 
way, shaking hands with each one until he came to Jacobs, and while grasping his hand 
in apparent fiiendship, shpt a long knife from out the frock sleeve of his left ami, pronouncing 
' How d'ye do, brother ." and quicker than lightning plunged it into the body of Jacobs, 
striking him three times under the short ribs. He fell at the first blow. Antone giving a 
terrific yell, bounded off before any one had recovered presence of mind sufficient to pursue 
him. 

" The same night, the Indians, learning where he had secreted himself, to the num. 
ber of fifteen or twenty pursued him. He had encamped in a thick copse of under, 
brush, and had provided himself with dogs that might give the alann in case he was dis. 
covered. He had also with much labor cut a path through the thicket, which was almost 
impassable. On the approach of the pursuers the dogs gave the alarm, and Antone, flying 
with the speed of a deer through the narrow path which he had cut, escaped. Shortly 

33 



258 MADISON COUNTY. 

after, a company composed of about thirty white men and Indians, followed him to his 
hiding-place. They approached within twelve yards before they discovered him. Again 
by his agility he escaped, the night also favoring him. He went constantly armed with a 
rifle, two or three knives, and it has been said that he wore pistols in his belt; this, how. 
ever is not certain. His two sons were almost constantly with him, well armed, and, as 
they declared, for the purpose of defending their father. One of the brothers, called Charles, 
was a most powerful and desperate fellow. He was said to be the strongest Indian of his 
tribe. He died some years since in Chenango county, having undertaken to drink a quart 
of rum on a wager. 

" There was an attempt made to take Antone while encamped on a Mr. John Guthrie's 
land, in the tovvn of Sherburne. Two large and resolute Indians having obtained informa. 
tion that Antone was alone in his camp, his two sons, having left him for a few days on a 
hunting tour, went with the full determination of securing him. They approached his camp 
undiscovered. Antone was making a broom ; but the ever watchful Indian hearing a rust- 
ling at the entrance of his camp, seized his rifle, and as they suddenly entered, pointing at 
the foremost, declared if he advanced a step further he would shoot him dead. His deter- 
mined manner appalled the pursuers, and after parleying with him a short time, they with- 
drew, very much mortified at the result of their enterprise. But the most curious circum- 
stance of all was that Antone's rifle was not loaded at the time. He has frequently boasted 
since of having scared two Indians with an empty rifle. He at length grew so fearless that 
he marched through our towns and villages in open day, without any fear of being taken. 
It is even said, that in the village of Sherburne he entered a store in which were about 
twenty men, and drank till he was completely intoxicated. 

" There was nothing remarkably interesting in his trial. His honor Judge Williams, of 
Utica, presided. The prisoner was brought to the bar, and plead 7iol guilty. The wit- 
nesses against him were principally uncultivated sons of the forest. But it was remarked 
that their testimony was given with a carefulness and precision scarcely to be expected. 
The testimony was clear and decisive. The court appointed Judge Piatt and General 
Kirkland his counsel. They rested their defence altogether on this, that the state of New 
York had no jurisdiction over the Indian tribes within her territory. The court, however, 
overruled the objection, and Antone was sentenced to be hanged on Friday, the 12th of Sep- 
tember, 1823. The prisoner has always objected to a trial, except by his own people. He 
says that he has paid two hundred and seventy dollars to the dilferent tribes for a ransom, 
and thinks it hard that he should die when he has made his peace with the Indians. He 
particularly objects to the mode of execution, which he thinks is very degrading. ' No 
good way,' said he, putting his hands around his neck — ' No good way,' and then pointing 
to his heart, he observed that he should be willing to be shot. 

" Two or three different tribes have sent petitions praying for his release ; but the Oneida, 
of which tribe he is said by some to be a chief, have neglected it. This is said to be owing 
to the influence of the head chief, who is the enemy of Antone. Without doubt the Indi- 
ans generally would be pleased with his release ; though it is certainly a very singular cir- 
cumstance that the same ones who volunteered in pursuit of him after the murder of John 
Jacobs, and to whom he was always a particular object both of dread and fear, should now 
turn and petition for him. The natives do not generally assent to our jurisdiction over 
them, and it may perhaps be thought that they petition for Antone on this principle. 

" It may be interesting to some to know what ideas of religion are entertained by An- 
tone. As is usual, pious people have talked with him and endeavored to explain the prin- 
ciples of the Christian religion. But he either cannot or will not understand them. He 
has no idea of a Saviour — indeed he appears to be utterly ignorant of every principle of 
Christianity. He mentioned through the interpreter that he put his trust in God, or more 
properly the Great Spirit. He was then asked whether it was the God of the Christians, or 
the Spirit which was worshipped by his fathers. The eye of the warrior sparkled as he 
readily replied, ' The God of my Fathers ." Until within a short time he has nourished 
some hopes of being reprieved, but they seem to have failed him. He says that he is will- 
ing to die, and ojily complains of the manner. He is very anxious respecting his body, 
being fearful that it will be obtained for dissection. 

" To look at the old warrior, one would scarcely suppose that he could be guilty of so 
enormous a crime. He has a noble countenance, in which there is not the least expression 
of malice. On the contrary, there is something placable, and bordering on serenity in his 
features. His eye is penetrating, but yet expresses no cruelty. His voice is somewhat 
broken by age, but pleasant and sonorous." 

Fenner, taken from Cazenovia and Smithfield in 1823 ; from Alba- 
ny 11-5 miles. Pop. 1,997. Perrysville, on the Sullivan line 15 miles 



MADISON COUNTY. 



259 



NW. from Morris ville, and Fenner centrally situated, are small set- 
tlements. 

Georgetown, taken from De Ruyter in 1815; from Albany 106 
miles, and from Morrisville centrally distant SW. 12 miles. George- 
town is a small settlement, near the centre of the town. Pop. 1,130. 

Hamilton was originally taken from Paris, when part of Herkimer 
county in 1801. At the period of its incorporation it comprised 
townships No. 2, 3, 4, and 5, Eaton, Madison, Hamilton, and Leba- 
non. The surface of the township is hilly, but the soil is of a supe- 
rior quality : it is di-ained on the south by the Chenango river and its 
branches. Pop. 3,738. 




Northern view of Hamilton village, Madison county. 

Hamilton village is 8 miles S W. of Morrisville, 28 from Utica, and 
96 from Albany ; it contains nearly 100 dwellings, 1 Baptist, 1 Pres- 
byterian, and 1 Methodist church, and a newspaper printing office. 
The above engraving shows the appearance of the village as seen 
from a point near the burying ground. The buildings of the " Ham- 
ilton Literary and Theological Seminary" are seen on the elevated 
ground on the left. This institution was incorporated in 1819, and 
commenced operations in 1820. The principal building, which was 
erected in 1827, is of stone, 100 by 60 feet, 4 stories, containing 34 
rooms for study, 34 lodging rooms, a reading room, library, and a 
large chapel. Another large stone edifice, 100 feet by 60, was erect- 
ed in 1834. There is a boarding-house, a joiner's shop, and a farm 
of 130 acres belonging to the society. The regular course of studies 
is six years ; four in the collegiate, and two in the theological depart- 
ment. This seminary was established under the patronage of the 
Baptists, and it is said to be the largest theological institution of that 
denomination in the world. " The institution is open to young men 
having the ministry in view from every denomination of evangelical 
Christians." Poolville, Hamilton Centre, and Colchester, are small 
settlements. 



260 MADISON COUNTY. 

Lebanon, taken from Hamilton in 1807; from Albany 110, from 
Morrisville centrally distant S. 9 miles. Lebanon, Smith's Valley, 
and the "Centre," are small settlements. Pop. 1,794. 

Lenox, taken from Sullivan in 1809; from Albany 118 miles. 
Pop. 5,441. Clockville, 10 miles NW. from Morrisville, has about 60 
dwellings. Canastota, post village, on the line of the Erie canal and 
great Western railroad, 15 miles from Morrisville, has 1 Dutch Re- 
formed and 1 Methodist church, 7 mercantile stores, and 750 inhab- 
itants. The village takes its name from a cluster of pine trees that 
united their branches over the creek vi^hich passes through the centre 
of the village and bears its name, called in the native dialect of the 
Oneidas, Kniste. The tract on which the village is located was pa- 
tented in 1810 by the state of New York to Capt. Reuben Perkms. 
its first, and now its oldest inhabitant. The present site of the village 
was a wheat field when the Erie canal was laid out and constructed. 
The first framed house was erected by Capt. Perkins on an eminence 
where it now stands, near the cluster of pines. The Rev. Mr. Young 
was the first settled minister. Wampsville, 13 miles from Morris- 
ville, Lenox, and Lenox Basin, are small villages. 

Madison, taken from Hamilton in 1807; from Albany 94 miles. 
Madison, Bouckville, 6 miles E. from Morrisville, Madison Centre, 
and Solesville, are small settlements. Pop. 2,344. 

Nelson, taken from Cazenovia in 1807 ; from Albany 109 miles. 
Erieville, 9 miles SW. from Morrisville, has about 45 dwellings. 
Nelson Flats is 7 miles W. from Morrisville. Pop. 2,100. 

SrocKBRiDGE, recently taken from Smithfield ; centrally distant 7 
miles NE. from Morrisville. Cooks Corners and Munsonville are 
small settlements- Knoxville is a post-ofiice. Pop. 2,344. 

Smithfield, taken from Cazenovia in 1807 ; from Albany 108, cen- 
trally distant N. from Morrisville 5 miles. Pop. 1,699. Peterboro, 
centrally situated, has about 60 dwellings, 2 churches, and a school 
for the education of colored persons. Siloam and Stockbridge are 
villages. The principal part of this town and Stockbridge was leased 
of the Oneida Indians by Peter Smith in 1794, and purchased by the 
state in 1795. These towns comprise the larger part of the New 
Petersburg tract, and a portion of the Oneida reservation and New 
Stockbridge tract. 

Sullivan was first erected in 1803, then in Chenango county ; and 
in 1809 the eastern and largest part was erected into the town of 
Lenox. Canaseraga and Bridgeport are villages. Joslin's Corners 
is a post-office. Pop. 4,390. 

The above shows the appearance of Chittenango village as it is 
entered from the SE. The village consists of upwards of 100 dwell- 
ings, 3 churches — 1 Dutch Reformed, 1 Methodist, and 1 Baptist — a 
large woollen factory, and several other manufacturing establishments. 
The Methodist church is seen in the central part of the engraving ; the 
woollen factory, built of stone, is seen on the left; the spire of the Baptist 
church is seen towards the right, near which is the spire of the youths' 
Bethel. The Dutch Reformed church, a large stone structure, is a pro- 



MADISON COUNTY. 



261 




Southeastern view of Chittenango. 

nent object as the village is entered on the road from the Erie canal, 
but it could not be seen from the spot from whence the above view 
was taken. The site of the village was probably at a former period 
a lake ; it is surrounded on almost every side by elevated grounds, 
in which are found numerous petrifactions of trees, branches, &c., 
in various stages of conversion. In the valley of the Chittenango 
creek, about a mile above the village, are two mineral springs, one 
mostly sulphur ; the other has a large portion of magnesia : both 
have been found efficient in some diseases. The village is situated 
one mile S. of the Erie canal, 2 from the Utica and Syracuse rail- 
road, 8 from Cazenovia, 16 from Morristown, 34 from Utica, and 15 
from Syracuse. Canesaraga and Bridgeport are post villages. The 
latter is 20 miles from Morrisville, and has grown within a few years 
from a hamlet to a thriving village. 

The murder of Robert Barber, by Lewis Wilber, on the line of the 
Erie canal in this town, August 30th, 1837, caused a great sensation 
in this part of the country. Robert Barber was from Coleraine, in 
the northern part of Massachusetts, and was a man of respectability, 
and in easy circumstances. He was a widower of upwards of fifty 
years of age, and had children and numerous respectable relatives in 
Coleraine. He left home on the 28th of August, for the purpose of 
marrying a lady residing at Onondaga, N. Y. On his journey to 
Utica he became acquainted with Wilber, who was about 21 years 
of age, a native of Saratoga, N. Y. This person was of a low and 
vicious character, and in the habit of thieving from his childhood. 
The following account of the murder is from a pamphlet published in 
Morrisville in 1839. 

" At Utica, Wilber first entertained the thought of murdering the old man. For that 
object, or any similar one, he purchased a common shoe-knife, as he said, — but such a one 
as is often called a bread-knife, with a sharp point and a turned wooden handle ; it cost eigh. 
teen pence. This he wrapped in a paper, and carried it in a pocket in the skirt of his coat. 

" Sometime towards evening of the same day, (the 29th,) they both took a line boat to 
go west, of which Edwin H. Hunger was captain ; the name of the boat he could not re- 



263 MADISON COUNTY. 

collect. Night coming on, they lodged together in the same berth. Little of interest oc- 
curred during the passage until morning, when they arrived very early at Burr's Tavern, 
on the canal, in Sullivan, about three miles east of the Chittenango Landing. There, the 
boat having stopped, Wilber and his companion (for they had by this time become consid- 
erably acquainted, and the old gentleman familiar with him) stepped off from the boat, 
went into the house, and drank something at the bar that they called for, which was handed 
to them by a woman. 

" They (hen walked along the towpath to Lcc's Bridge (so called,) about eighty rods 
west, and had some conversation about going on foot to Chittenango Landing ; and at the 
suggestion of Wilber, they crossed over Lee's Bridge, and took a westerly direction in the 
highway leading to Chittenango Landing. They passed the crotch of the road that leads 
off towards Canesaraga, and turning west, went on beyond all the houses and buildings. 
When they reached the last open field on the right, before entering the woods, Wilber in- 
formed the old gentleman that it would lessen the distance to turn to the right from the 
road, and cross the woods in that direction. They accordingly got over the fence, and 
walked in the direction of the woods, which they soon reached and entered. In the direc- 
tion they were travelling at the time, the woods, where they entered them, were about 
sixty rods from the highway, and the distance through the woods to the canal (towards 
which they were going at an angle of about forty-five degrees to the general course of the 
canal,) must be not far from a quarter of a mile. 

" When they arrived at the place where the body of the old gentleman was subsequently 
found, (eighteen or twenty rods distant from the canal,) Wilber said he took from his 
pocket the knife before described, and a pistol that he carried, which at the time was not 
charged — and presenting the pistol to the old gentleman, demanded of him his money, at 
the same time showing him the knife. Here he said he became much agitated, and appa- 
rently more so than the old gentleman. The latter deliberately took his pocket-book from 
a side-pocket in his coat, and a purse from his pantaloons pocket — saying at the same time, 
' I did not think that of you — I thought you was my friend.' Wilber then told him to throw 
down the pocket-book and purse, which he did. ' I was afraid to take them up,' said he, 
' and told him to lie down and hide his face, and not look up for half an hour.' He then 
laid down in the same position in which he lay when found, according to the testimony of 
the witnesses. Here Wilber resolved to take the money and leave him. He took the 
pocket-book and purse, and secured them. Then, standing by the right side of the old 
gentleman, who lay on his face, with his right hand under his eyes and his hat on his head, 
a second thought warned Wilber of the danger of detection if the old gentleman should 
live ; and throwing up the skirt of his coat, with a back-handed stroke he plunged the knife 
into his body, near the back-bone and below the ribs. This he repeated several times. 
He said that from the time he struck the first blow with the knife, no signs of life appeared. 
Indeed, he never moved from the original position in which he laid down. 

" But this seemed not enough. He then stepped a few paces to the west, and thinking 
that by possibility his victim might survive, he picked up a large stone, and approaching 
him as he lay, threw it at him, and it struck his head. This he thought made the fracture 
in the skull above the left ear, on the back of the head, which appeared when the body 
was found, and also a similar corresponding hole in the hat. 

" In describing this scene — which he did with a great deal of accuracy and minuteness — 
his feelings frequently overcame his utterance, and the burden of his thoughts choked him 
to silence. He would pause, and groan and weep ; and when he spoke again, it would be 
by exclamations and ejaculations, accompanied by the most frightful writhings, manifesting 
the greatest mental suffering. He declared that if the old gentleman had made the least 
resistance or noise, he should have fled, and left him untouched." 

Wilber after the murder proceeded on to Buffalo, and from thence 
to Cleaveland, Ohio, where he was arrested in April, 1838. After 
Mr. Barber was missed by the captain of the boat, from which he 
went with Wilber, his trunk was kept on board through to Buffalo 
and back again to Albany, where he saw a notice respecting the dis- 
appearance of Mr. B. His suspicions now rested on Wilber as his 
murderer. Search was made far and near on the north side of the 
canal ; this was in October, and the winter passed away without any 
discovery. In March, 1838, the body was accidentally discovered, 
which immediately led to the apprehension of Wilber. He was ex- 
ecuted at Morrisville, October 3d, 1839. 



MONROE COUNTY. 263 



MONROE COUNTY. 



Monroe county was taken from Ontario and Genesee in 1821. 
Distant from New York by way of Albany NW. 365, and from 
Albany W. 219 miles. Greatest length E. and W. 34, greatest 
breadth N. and S. 24 miles. The surface is level, or gently wav- 
ino-. The mountain ridge, a high terrace of land nearly parallel with 
Lake Ontario, extends across the county, as also the alluvial way, 
supposed to have been formed by the action of the waters of that 
lake at some former period. The soil is generally a rich mould and 
very productive. " It is said that an analysis of the Genesee wheat, 
for which this county is so celebrated, exhibits more saccharine than 
that of the southern states ; whilst the latter combines with a larger 
portion of U3ur in the composition of bread. This may explain why 
southern flour is more acceptable to the baker, and Genesee to the 
consumer. It is common for extensive farmers to sow from 50 to 
200 acres with wheat, and to reap an average crop of 20 bushels to 
the acre. The product is sometimes 30, 40, and even 50 bushels to 
the acre." The long level of the Erie canal continues 2h miles E. 
of the Genesee river. In the towns of Rochester, Mendon, and Gates, 
there are sulphur springs. " The towns of Parma, Ogden, Chili, Riga, 
Gates, and Greece, E. of the Triangle, belonged to the great tract of 
Phelps and Gorham, together with that portion of the county E. of 
the Genesee river. Clarkson and Sweden, part of the Triangle, and 
Wheatland, were of the tract purchased by Robert Morris from Mas- 
sachusetts. Phelps and Gorham sold out Greece and Gates, in frac- 
tional parts to settlers ; and Parma, Ogden, Riga, and Chili, in mass 
to Robert Morris. The lands on the east side of the river were sold 
by them in parcels, consisting of whole and parts of townships. The 
county was settled chiefly by emigrants from New England, with a 
few from Pennsylvania and the lower parts of New York." It con- 
tains the city of Rochester and 19 towns. Pop. 64,912. 

Brighton was taken from Smallwood and Penfield in 1814; NW. 
from Albany 216, from Rochester E. 3 miles. Pop. 2,337. Blos- 
somsville, situated on the canal, is a small settlement. 

Chili was taken from Riga in 1802 ; NW, from Albany 230, from 
Rochester SW. 1 1 miles. Chili, North Chili, South Chili, and O'Con- 
nelsville, are post-offices ; around which are small settlements. Pop. 
2,174. 

Clarkson was taken from Murray in 1819; NW. from Albany 
238 miles. Clarkson on the Ridge road, 18 miles W. of Rochester, 
is a small village. Pop. 3,486. 

Gates, originally named Northampton, and organized in 1802 ; 
from Albany 225, from Rochester W. 6 miles. Pop. 1,728. 

Greece was taken from Gates in 1802 ; NW. from Albany 225 
miles. Pop. 3,6^9. Port Genesee, formerly called Charlotte, at the 
mouth of the Genesee nver, on Lake Ontario, 7 miles N. of Roches- 



264 MONROE COUNTY. 

ter, is a small village. It has a customhouse, a pier over half a mile 
in length, for the protection of the harbor, with a lighthouse built by 
the United States. Hanford's Landing, 3 miles N. of Rochester on 
the west bank of the Genesee, was formerly a place of considerable 
business. " It was the first landing on the river for lake navigation, 
and here in 1798 was built the hrst dwelling, and in 1810 the first 
store, on the river below Avon, on the west side of the Genesee riv- 
er." Greece is a small settlement on the ridge road, 9 miles ]\ W. 
from Rochester. North Greece is a post-office. The following 
relative to Hanford's landing is from Mr. O'Reilly's History of Roch- 
ester. 

"A settlement was formed here in 1796. In 1800, the EngHsh traveller Maude men. 
tions that, as he could not find any accommodations for refreshment — ' not even a stable 
for his horse' — at 'he place where the city of Rochester has since sprung into existence, he 
' was obliged to proceed to Gideon King's, at the Genesee Landing, where [he] got a good 
breakfast on wild pigeons. Mr. King is the only respectable settler in this township, (No. 
1, short range,) in which there are at present twelve families, four of whom have established 
themselves at the Landing. King, though the proprietor of 3,000 acres, lives in an in- 
different log house : one reason for this is, that he has not been able to procure boards. 
The Landing is the port from whence all the shipments of the Genesee river must be 
made ; but further improvements are much checked in consequence of the titles to the 
lands being in dispute. The circumstances are as follow : Mr. Phelps sold 3,000 acres in 
this neighborhood to Zadok Granger for about $10,000, the payment being secured by a 
mortgage on the land. Granger died soon after liis removal here ; and having sold part of 
the land, the residue would not clear the mortgage, which prevented his heirs from admin- 
istering on his estate. Phelps foreclosed the mortgage and entered on possession, even on 
that part which had been already sold and improved. Some settlers, in consequence, left 
their farms — others repaid the purchase money — and others again, are endeavoring to make 
some accommodation with Mr. Phelps. A son of Mr. Granger resides here, and Mr. 
Greaves, his nephew, became also a settler, erected the fi-ame of a good house, and died. 
The Landing is at present an unhealthy residence, but when the woods get more opened it 
will no doubt become as healthy as any other part of the Genesee country. I went to see 
the new store and wharf. It is very difficult to get goods conveyed to and from the wharf, 
in consequence of the great height and steepness of the bank.' 

" As illustrative of the condition of things in the way of roads as well as navigable facili- 
ties, we may note a remark of the traveller, that ' yesterday, August 18, 1800, a schooner 
of forty tons sailed from this Landing for Kingston, U. C, laden with potash, which had 
been sent from Canandarqua to Rundicut Bay, and from thence round about in boats to 
this (Genesee) Landing.' 

" ' This Landing,' adds Maude, ' is four miles from the mouth of the river, where two 
log huts are built at its entrance into Lake Ontario. At this Landing the channel runs 
close along shore, and has thirty feet depth ; but upon the bar at the mouth of the river the 
water shoals to sixteen or eighteen feet. This place is about equally distant from the east- 
ern and western limits of Lake Ontario, and opposite to its centre and widest parts, being 
here about eighty [sixty] miles across.' 

" In January, 1810, Frederic Hanford opened a store of goods at what was called the 
Upper Landing or Falltown — the name of Genesee Landing was no longer strictly apphca- 
ble, as another Landing had been established at the junction of the river and lake, at the 
village called Charlotte. Hanford's was the first merchant's store on the river between 
Avon and Lake Ontario — a distance of about twenty-five miles. Hence the place has since 
been termed ' Hanford's Landing.' 

" In the same year Silas O. Smith opened a store at Hanford's Landing, but in 1813 re- 
moved to the new village of Rochester, where he built the first merchant's store ; the plat 
of Rochester having been planned only the previous season. 

" As at the present steamboat landing on the river at the north part of the city of Roches- 
ter, railways were used to facilitate the transit of freight between the top of the bank at 
Hanford's Landing and the warehouses or vessels on the margin of the river. The railway, 
the warehouses, and the wharves at Hanford's were burned in 1835." 

Henrietta was taken from Pittsford, when part of Ontario county, 



MONROE COUNTY. 265 

in 1818 ; from Albany 228 miles. Henrietta Corners is a small post 
village 8 miles S. of Rochester. West Henrietta is a post-office. 
Pop. 2,085. 

iRONDEauoiT, recently taken from Brighton, of which it formed the 
northern part. It receives its name from Irondequoit bay, which 
extends through the eastern part of the town. Pop. 1,252. 

" This bay, [Irondequoit,] well known in the early history of the country, is now wholly 
unfitted for navigation, owing to the sandbar formed at its junction with Lake Ontario. It 
is now much frequented by parties from Rochester, for gunning, fishing, &c. The geolo. 
gist also has many attractions for a visit thither ; for ' on the borders of the bay, and of the 
creek of the same name which discharges itself there, the surface of the earth presents a 
most extraordinary and picturesque appearance — a muldtude of conical or irregular mounds 
of sand and light earth, sometimes insulated and sometimes united, rising to an average 
height of 200 feet, form a perfectly level meadow of the richest alluvial loam.' 

" The history of Irondequoit is intimately connected with that of the Military and Trad- 
ing Posts of western New York. A station was established there in 1726, to aid the Brit, 
ish in securing the trade with the western Indians, to the exclusion of the French at the 
lower end of Lake Ontario. 

" In connection with the fact that there was a city laid out at Irondequoit bay, it might 
be mentioned that formerly supplies from New York, destined for our western posts, were 
sent to the head of that bay, (instead of the Genesee river,) there freighted in batteaux, to 
proceed through Lake Ontario to Niagara river — thence to be taken across the portage to 
Fort Schlosser ; and there re-embarked to proceed up the Niagara river, through Lake Erie, 
&c. The city was laid out at the head of the bay, near the route of the present road be- 
tween Canandaigua and Rochester. 

" It may amuse some readers to learn that Maude, a traveller in 1800, mentions that the 
cargo of a schooner which sailed from Genesee river for Kingston, U. C, had ' been sent 
from Canandarqua for Rundicut bay, and from thence in boats round about to Genesee 
river landing,' for shipment in the above schooner. [The cargo thus circuitously forwarded 
from Canandaigua was potash — and ' no potash was then made about Irondequoit or Gen- 
esee landings for want of kettles' in 1800.] 

" The mouth of Irondequoit is about four miles eastward of Genesee river on Lake On- 
tario ; and the bay extends southwardly about live miles, nearly to the present main-travelled 
route through Brighton between Rochester and Canandaigua. 

" ' The Teoronto bay of Lake Ontario,' says Spafford, ' merits more particular notice, if 
for no other purpose than to speak of Gerundegut, Irondequoit, and Rundicut — names by 
which it is also known. The Indians called it ' Teoronto' — a sonorous and purely Indian 
name, too good to be supplanted by such vulgarisms as Gerundegut or Irondequoit ! The 
bay is about five miles long and one mile wide, communicating with the lake by a very 
narrow opening — or such it used to have — and Teoronto, or Tche-o-ron-tok, perhaps rather 
nearer the Indian pronunciation, is the place where the waves breathe and die, or gasp and 
expire. Let a person of as much discernment as these savages watch the motion of the 
waves in this bay, and he will admire the aptitude of its name, and never again pronounce 
Gerundegut, Irondequoit, or Rundicut.' " 

Mendon was taken from Bloomfield in 1812: from Albany 209 
miles. Pop. 3,435. Mendon, incorporated in 1833, is a small village 
near the eastern line of the town. West Mendon is 10 miles S. of 
the Erie canal, on the Honeoye creek, which has here a fall of 60 
feet, on which are extensive manufacturing establishments. There 
are here upwards of 100 dwellings. North Mendon is a hamlet. 

Ogden, taken from Parma in 1817; from Rochester 10, and Alba- 
ny 230 miles. Pop. 2,404. Adams and Spencers basins, on the 
canal, are post-offices, and small settlements. At Ogden, post-office, 
2 miles S. from the canal, 10 W. from Rochester, are 1 Presbyterian 
and 1 Baptist church, and a small number of dwellings. 

Parma, organized as part of Genesee county in 1808, and taken 
from Northampton, the original name of Gates ; from Albany 230 

34 



1866 MONROE COUNTY. 

miles. Pop. 2,651. Parma village, on the ridge road, 12 miles W. 
from Rochester, is a small village. At Parma Centre, 15 miles from 
Rochester, there is a small collection of dwellings. 

Penfield, taken from Boyle in 1810 ; NW. from Albany 211 miles. 
Pop. 2,842. Penfield village, on the Irondequoit creek, 8 miles SE. of 
Rochester, has about 30 dwellings. The creek in passing through 
the village has a descent of 90 feet, forming the high falls of the 
Irondequoit, affording a valuable water-power. 

Perrinton, taken from Boyle in 1812 ; NW. from Albany 209 
miles. Pop. 2,513. Bushnells, Fulloms, and Fairport, are basins and 
settlements on the canal. At Bushnells basin, 11 miles SE, from 
Rochester, is the great embankment over the Irondequoit creek. 
This embankment is the greatest work on the canal ; it is nearly a 
mile in length and from 40 to 76 feet in height. It is partly natural, 
partly artificial, and extending in a winding direction across the val- 
ley. The following is extracted from the journal of De Witt Clinton, 
while on his exploring tour with the canal commissioners in 1810. 

" We arrived at the tavern at Perrin's, in the tovi^n of Boyle, [now Perrinton,] twenty-one 
miles from Canandaigua, four and a half from Gerundegut or Irondequoit landing, and 
fourteen from Charlottesburgh. A vessel of thirty tons can go to the head of this landing 
[from Lake Ontario ; but the sandbar at the mouth of the bay now prevents all intercourse 
of that sort.] The sign of the tavern contains masonic emblems, and is by S. Felt &. Co. 
Felt is a man in the landlord's employ ; and the object of this masked sign is, as the land- 
lord says, to prevent his debtors from avoiding his house. * * * We drew lots for the 
choice of beds ; and it turning out in my favor, I chose the worst bed in the house. I was 
unable to sleep on account of the fleas, &c. * * * At this place we eat the celebrated 
whitefish, salted ; it is better than shad, and cost at Irondequoit landing $12 per barrel. 

" We departed from here at seven o'clock, after breakfast ; and after a ride of eight and 
a half miles, arrived at a ford of the Genesee river about half a mile from the Great Falls, 
and seven and a half from Lake Ontario." 

PiTTSFORD was taken from Smallwood in 1814 ; NW. from Albany 
215 miles. Pop. 1,983. Pittsford, a thriving village on the canal, 6 
miles SE. from Rochester, was incorporated in 1827 ; it has about 
100 dwellings. 

Riga was taken from Northampton in 1808; from Albany 230 
miles. Pop. 1,983. Churchville and Riga are the post-offices. The 
pleasant little village of Churchville is on the Rochester and Batavia 
railroad, 15 miles SW. from Rochester. 

Rochester, one of the most remarkable instances of a rapid and vig- 
orous growth as a village or city in this country, is situated in lat. N. 
43°, long. W. 40' ; distant from Albany 217 miles, Buffalo 73, Canan- 
daigua 28, Batavia 35, S. from Lake Ontario 7, and 361 miles from 
Washington. In the year 1810 there was not a house where Roch- 
ester now stands. The first allotments for a village were made in 
1812, when Nathaniel Rochester, Charles H. Carroll, and William 
Fitzhugh, surveyed the hundred-acre tract for a settlement, under the 
name of " Rochester" after the senior proprietor. This tract was a 
" mill lot," bestowed by Phelps and Gorham on a semi-savage called 
Indian Allen, as a bonus for building mills to grind corn and saw 
boards for the few settlers in this region at the time. The mills de- 
cayed, as the business of the country was insufficient to support them, 



MONROE COUNTV. JSM|i| 

and Allen sold the property to Sir William Pulteney, whose estate 
then included a large section of the " Genesee country." The sale 
to Rochester, Fitzhugh, and Carroll, took place in 1802, at the rate 
of $15.50 per acre, or $1,750 for the lot, with its " betterments." 
Some of the land on the east side of the Genesee in Rochester, (the 
hundred-acre tract being on the west side,) was sold by Phelps and 
Gorham in 1790, for eighteen pence an acre. 

The last war with Great Britain, which produced much distress in 
this frontier region, impeded the progress of Rochester to such a de- 
gree that the population at the commencement of 1816 amounted to 
only 331. By the opening of the Erie canal, Rochester became the 
great thoroughfare between the seaboard and the inland waters. On 
the incorporation of the village in 1817, about 750 acres were includ- 
ed within its limits. The city charter, in 1834, extended the bounds 
so as to embrace upwards of 4,000 acres. The staple product of the 
fertile valley of the Genesee is wheat, remarkable for its quantity as 
well as its quality. Its celebrity is increased by the skill with which 
it is prepared for market. By the immense water-power formed by 
the falls of the Genesee, Rochester is the largest as well as the best 
flour manufactory in the world. There are now within the city 20 
mills, (exclusive of grist-mills,) with nearly 100 runs of stone. These 
mills are capable of manufacturing 5,000 barrels of flour daily, and 
when in full operation, require about 20,000 bushels of wheat daily. 
About half a million barrels of flour are yearly manufactured. There 
are 12 saw-mills, and various other establishments that use the water- 
power, such as turning, stone-cutting, grinding dye-woods and bark. 
There are 1 cotton and 3 woollen mills. Carpets, edge tools, and vari- 
ous other articles are here manufactured. The business portion of 
the city is compactly built, and contains many splendid houses and 
stores four stories high. The east and west portions of the city are 
connected by several bridges, and by the great aqueduct of the Erie 
canal, upwards of 800 feet long. There are 3 banks, having an ag- 
gregate capital of about one million of dollars ; 6 newspapers, and 
numerous religious, benevolent, and literary associations. Population 
in 1840 was 20,202. 

The following is a list of the churches in Rochester, with the date 
of their organization.* 



First Presbyterian, 1815 

St. Luke's, (Episcopal,) 1817 

Friends, 1817 

First Baptist, 1818 

Flist Methodist Episcopal, 1820 

St. Patrick's, (Catholic,) 1820 

Third Presbyterian 1827 

Orthodox Friends 1828 

Reformed Presbyterian, 1831 

Free Presbyterian, 1832 



Brick, formerly second, (Presbyterian,) 1833 

Second Baptist, 1834 

Zion church, (African,) 1835 

German Evangelical Lutheran, 1835 

German Roman Catholic, 1836 

Second Methodist Episcopal, 1836 

Free Will Baptist, 1836 

Bethel Free, (Presbyterian,) 1836 

Free Congregational, 1836 

Universaiist, 1837 



Grace, formerly St. Paul's, (Episcopal,) 1833 ' African Methodist Episcopal church, ...1837 

* For this and most other facts respecting this place, the authors are indebted to a work 
entitled "Sketches of Rochester; with incidental Notices of Western New York, &.C., 
by Henry O'Reilly." This volume was published in 1838 ; it is a duodecimo of 416 
pages, full of interesting historical details, and illustrated by 42 engravings. 



268 MONROE COUNTY. 

No longer ago than 1813, pagan rites were performed on the spot 
where so many Christian temples have been since erected. The fol- 
lowing account of the last sacrifice of the Senecas, near where the 
Bethel church now stands, is from Mr. O'Reilly's History. 

" It may be premised that the Senecas, and probably others of the Six Nations, have 
five feasts annually ; on which occasions it is customary to return thanks to Nauwanew for 
his blessings, or to deprecate his wrath. At these times also the chieis conversed upon the 
atiairs of the tribes, and generally urged upon the people the duty of demeaning themselves 
so as to ensure a continuance of the favor which had attended them in their pursuits of 
peace or war. These feasts followed the consummation of the matters usually watched 
■with most interest by Indians in peaceful times — one of the ceremonies occurring after 
' sugar-time ;' another after planting ; a third called the green-corn feast, when the rnaize 
first becomes fit for use ; the fourth after the corn-harvest; and the fifth at the close of their 
year, late in January or early in February, according to the moon. 

" The latter ceremonial was performed for the last time in Rochester in January, 1813. 
The concluding rites were seen by some of the few persons then settled in ' these parts.' 
From Mr. Edwin Serantom, now a merchant of the city, who was among the spectators, 
we have had an account of the ceremonial, as far as he beheld it, which corresponds with 
the accounts given by the Rev. Mr. Kirkland, long a missionary among the Six Nations, 
and by the 'White Woman,' that remarkable associate of the Senecas. The latter person, 
age related, that when the Indians returned from hunting, ten or twenty of their number 
were appointed to superintend the great ' sacrifice and thanksgiving.' Preparations were 
made at the council-house or other place of meeting for the accommodation of the tribe 
during the ceremonial. Nine days was the period, and two white dogs the number and 
kind of animals formerly required for the festival ; though in these latter days of reform and 
retrenchment (for the prevailing spirit had reached even the wigwams and the altars of the 
Senecas) the time has been curtailed to seven or five days, and a single dog was made the 
scapegoat to bear away the sins of the tribe ! Two dogs, as nearly white as could be pro. 
cured, were usually selected from those belonging to the tribe, and were carefully killed at 
the door of the council-house by means of strangulation ; for a wound on the animal or an 
eff"iision of blood would spoil the victim for the sacrificial purpose. The dogs were then 
fantastically painted with various colors, decorated with feathers, and suspended about 
twenty feet high at the council-house or near the centre of the camp. The ceremonial is 
then commenced, and the five, seven, or nine days of its continuance are marked by feast- 
ing and dancing, as well as by sacrifice and consultation. Two select bands, one of men 
and another of women, ornamented with trinkets and feathers, and each person furnished 
with an ear of corn in the right hand, dance in a circle around the council-fire, which is 
kindled for the occasion, and regulate their steps by rude music. Hence they proceed to 
every wigwam in the camp ; and, in like manner, dance in a circle around each fire. Af- 
terward, on another day, several men clothe themselves in the skins of wild beasts, cover 
their faces with hideous masks and their hands with the shell of the tortoise, and in this 
garb they go among the wigwams, making horrid noises, taking the fuel from the fire, and 
scattering the embers and ashes about the floor, for the purpose of driving away evil spirits. 
The persons performing these operations are supposed not only to drive off the evil spirit, 
but to concentrate within themselves all the sins of their tribe. These sins are afterward 
all transfused into one of their own number, who, by some magical dexterity or sleight.of- 
hand, works off" from himself into the dogs the concentrated wickedness of the tribe ! The 
scapegoat dogs are then placed on a pile of wood, to which fire is applied, while the sur- 
rounding crowd throw tobacco or other incense upon the flame, the scent of which is 
deemed to co-operate with the sacrifice of the animals in concihating the favor of Nauwa. 
new or the Great Spirit. When the dogs are partly consumed, one is taken off and put 
into a large kettle with vegetables of various kinds, and all around devour the contents of 
the ' reeking caldron.' After this the Indians perform the dances of war and peace, and 
smoke the calumet : then, free from wickedness, they repair to their respective places of 
abode, prepared for the events of the new year." 

The following is a view of the middle or main falls, as seen from the 
east bank of the Genesee. The Rochester and Auburn railroad 
bridge is viewed a few rods north of the falls. The perpendicular fall 
of the water at this place is 96 feet ; towards the right of the engrav- 
ing is seen a small tabular projection from the general line of the 



MONROE COUNTY. 



269 




Genesee Falls at Rochester. 

verge of the precipice. From this projection, in the fall of 1829, 
Sam Patch took a last leap, and perished, not much unlike many oth- 
ers before him, 

" seeking the bubble reputation, even in the cannon's mouth." 

The river below this fall is broad and deep, with occasional rapids 
for a mile and a half to the Lower Falls, the first 25, the other 84 feet, 
making a total descent of 109 feet in a few rods. Just below this place 
stood the celebrated Carthage bridge, remarkable in its fate as in its 
construction. It was completed in February, 1819; it consisted of 
an entire arch, the chord of which was 352 feet, and the versed sine 
54 feet. Its entire length was 718 feet, and the width 30 ; the sum- 
mit of the arch was 196 feet from the water. " The most lofty single 
arch at present in Europe, is 116 feet less in length than this was, 
and the arch not as high by 96 feet." This daring work stood but 
one year, and one day ; which latter period saved the builders from 
loss, as they guarantied that the structure should endure for one year. 
It contained about 70,000 feet of timber, running measure, besides 
64,620 feet of board measure. " The immense weight of timber press- 
ing unequally upon the arch, threw up the centre from its equilibrium, 
and the whole tumbled into ruins." A port of entry was established 
at what is now known as the harbor of Rochester, in 1805; when 
Samuel Latta, residing at the junction of the river and lake, was ap- 
pointed the first collector. The Rochester or Genesee revenue dis- 
trict has a frontier of about 70 miles on Lake Ontario, extending 
westward from Sodus bay, Wayne county. The port of R-ochester, 
at the Ontario steamboat landing, is situated at the north line of the 
city, about five miles from the lake. The largest vessels on the lake 
can ascend the river to this point. There are three railways for 
facilitating the business between the vessels and the warehouses on 
the upper banks, which are here about 160 feet high. 



270 MONROE COUNTY. 

" A serious alarm, attended by some amusing consequences, occurred in May, 1814, 
when Sir James Yeo, with a fleet of thirteen vessels of various sizes, appeared off the mouth 
of the Genesee, threatening the destruction of the rudu improvements in and around Ro- 
chester. Messengers were despatciied to arouse the people in the surrounding country for 
defence against the threatened attack. There were then but thirty-three people in Roches- 
ter capable of bearing arms. This little band threw up a breastwork called Fort Bender, 
near the Deep Hollow, beside the Lower Falls, and hurried down to the junction of the 
Genesee and Lake Ontario, five miles north of the present city hmits, where the enemy 
threatened to land ; leaving behind them two old men, with some young lads, to remove 
the women and children into the woods, in case the British should attempt to land for the 
capture of the provisions and destruction of the bridge at Rochester, &,c. Francis Brown 
and Elisha Ely acted as captains, and Isaac W. Stone as major of the Rochester forces, 
which were strengthened by the additions that could be made from this ihinly-settled region. 
Though the equipments and discipline of these troops would not form a brilliant picture for 
a warlike eye, their very awkwardness in those points, coupled as it was with their sagacity 
and courage, accomplished more perhaps than could have iMfeen effected by a larger force 
of regular troops bedizzened with the trappings of military pomp. The militia thus hastily 
collected, were marched and countermarched, disappearing in the woods at one point and 
suddenly emerging elsewhere, so as to impress the enemy with the belief that the force 
collected for defence was far greater than it actually was. (The circumstances here related 
are substantially as mentioned to the writer by one who was then and is now a resident 
of Rochester.) An officer with a flag of truce was sent from the British fleet. A militia 
oflScer marched down, with ten of the most soldierlike men, to receive him on Lighthouse 
Point. These militiamen carried their guns as nearly upright as might be consistent with 
their plan of being ready for action by keeping hold of the triggers ! The British officer 
was astonished : he ' looked unutterable things.' ' Sir,' said he, ' do you receive a flag of 
truce under arms, with cocked triggers ?' ' Excuse me, excuse me, sir ; we backwoodsmen 
are not well versed in military tactics,' replied the American officer, who promptly sought 
to rectify his error by ordering his men to ' ground arms ." The Briton was still more as- 
tonished ; and, after delivering a brief message, immediately departed for the fleet, indicat. 
ing by his countenance a suspicion that the ignorance of tactics which he had witnessed 
was all feigned for the occasion, so as to deceive the British commodore into a snare \ 
Shortly afterward, on the same day, another officer came ashore with a flag of truce for 
further parley, as the British were evidently too suspicious of stratagem to attempt a hostile 
landing if there was any possibility of compromising for the spoils. Capt. Francis Brown 
was deputed with a guard to receive the last flag of truce. The British officer looked sus- 
piciously upon him and upon his guard ; and, after some conversation, familiarly grasped 
the pantaloons of Capt. B. about the knee, remarking, as he firmly handled it, ' Your cloth 
is too good to be spoiled by such a bungling tailor ;' alluding to the width and clumsy as- 
pect of that garment. Brown was quickwitted as well as resolute, and replied jocosely, 
that ' he was prevented from dressing fashionably by his haste that morning to salute such 
distinguished visiters !' The Briton obviously imagined that Brown was a regular officer 
of the American army, whose regimentals were masked by clumsy overclothes. The pro- 
position was then made, that, if the Americans would deliver up the provisions and military 
stores which might be in and around Rochester or Charlotte, Sir James Yeo would spare 
the settlements from destruction. 'Will you comply with the offer?' ^ Blood knee-deep 
first ." was the emphatic reply of Francis Brown. 

" While this parley was in progress, an American officer, with his staff, returning from the 
Niagara frontier, was accidentally seen passing from one wooded point to another ; and 
this, with other circumstances, afforded to the British ' confirmation strong' that their suspi- 
cions were well founded ; that there was a considerable American army collected ; and that 
the Yankee officers shammed ignorance for the purpose of entrapping ashore the commodore 
and his forces ! The return of the last flag to the fleet was followed by a vigorous attack in 
bombs and balls, while the compliment was spiritedly returned, not without some effect on 
at least one of the vessels, by a rusty old six-pounder, which had been furbished and mount, 
ed on a log for the important occasion. After a few hours spent in this unavailing manner. 
Admiral Yeo run down to Pulteneyville, about twenty miles eastward of Genesee river, 
where, on learning how they had been outwitted and deterred from landing by such a 
handful of militia, their mortification could scarcely restrain all hands from a hearty laugh 
at the ' Yankee trick.' " 

Rush was taken from Avon in 1818 ; from Albany 229 miles. Pop. 
1,929. Rush, 12 S., Sibley's Corners and Green's Corners, each 15 
miles from Rochester, Hartwell's Corners and Davis' Corners, are 
small settlements. 



MONROE COUNTY. 



271 




Collegiate building at Brockport, 

Sweden, taken from Murray in 1813 ; from Albany 241 miles. 
Pop. 3,133. Brockport village was incorporated in 1829. It is situ- 
ated on the Erie canal, 20 miles SE. from Rochester, and 239 from 
Albany. The village consists of about 300 dwellings, some of them 
three and four stories high, built of brick or freestone. The citizens 
have erected a noble stone building five stories high, for a collegiate 
institution, at an expense of $25,000, of which the above engraving is 
a representation. Large quantities of wheat have been purchased in 
this village for the Rochester mills; 451,000 bushels were bought 
here in 1835. The first buildings in the village were erected in 1820; 
the population is now upwards of 1,300. 

Webster. 14 miles NE. from Rochester, was recently taken from 
Penfield, of which it formed the northern part. The township is 
bounded on the north by Lake Ontario. Pop. 2,235. 

Wheatland, originally named Inverness, and taken from Caledo- 
nia in 1821 ; from Albany 232 miles. Pop. 2,871. Scottsville, on 
Aliens creek, 12 miles SW. from Rochester, near Genesee river, con- 
tains several churches, and upwards of 150 dwellings. The water- 
power here has been lately much improved by a canal one mile in 
length, taken from the creek to the Genesee river, by which a head 
of about 16 feet is obtained. Indian Allen, so called, was the first 
settler at the mouth of the creek which goes by his name. In the 
year 1800, Isaac Scott located himself where the village is now built. 
From this pioneer of the wilderness the village derives its name. 
There are within three miles of this place the remains of four ancient 
fortifications. Trees have grown on these mounds indicating a lapse 
of from four to five hundred years since they were constructed. Mum- 
fords ville, also on Aliens creek, 18 miles SW. from Rochester, is a 
small settlement. There is a small collection of dwellings in the vi- 
cinity of Wheatland post-office and at Garbetts mills. 



272 



MONTGOMERY COUNTY. 



MONTGOMERY COUNTY. 



Montgomery county was named after the lamented Gen. Montgom- 
ery, who fell at the attack on Quebec, in the revolution. Its greatest 
length is 34 E. and W., greatest breadth N. and S. 13 miles. It was 
originally taken from Albany and named in honor of William Tryon, 
then governor of the province. Its name was changed in 1784. It 
embraced all that part of the state lying west of a line running north 
and south nearly through the centre of the present county of Schoharie. 
It was divided into five districts — subdivided into precincts. The Mo- 
hawk district included Fort Hunter, Caugnawaga, Johnstown, and 
Kingsboro' ; Canajoharie district embraced the present town of that 
name, with all the country southward, comprehending Cherry Valley 
of Otsego, and Harpersfield of Delaware counties ; Palatine district, 
north of the Mohawk, extended over the region so called, and Stone 
Arabia, &c. ; German Flats district and Kingsland covered the most 
western settlements. The Erie canal crosses the county on the south 
side of the Mohawk, and the Schenectady and Utica railroad on the 
north side. The Erie canal passes the Schoharie creek through a 
pond formed by a dam across the stream below. Its fall within this 
county is 86 feet, by 12 locks. The county is divided into ten towns. 
Pop. 35,801. 




Southern view of Sir Guy JuhnsorCs house, Amsterdam. 



Amsterdam, taken from Caugnawaga in 1793. It has a rolling 
surface and fertile soil. Pop. 5,329. Amsterdam village, incorpo- 
rated in 1830, upon the Mohawk river and turnpike and Utica rail- 
road, 16 miles W. of Schenectady, contains several churches, an 
academy, and about 700 inhabitants. The Erie canal is on the south 
side of the river, over which there is a commodious bridge. 

The above shows the appearance of the mansion house of Colonel 
Guy Johnson, as seen from the opposite side of the river. It is built 
of stone, on the north bank of the Mohawk, about a mile from Am- 
sterdam village. The western railroad now passes a few rods north, 
and in front. It is a beautiful situation, and was formerly called "Guy 



MONTGOMERY COUNTY. 



3ta 




^ (^^^/.^^p= 




^■^/^ZZ:/c^y3 c-<^^^. 



[Facsimile of the signatures of the Johnsons, and of Colonel John Butler, and his son 
Walter.] 

Park.". The house occupied by Sir John Johnson is further to the 
west, on the opposite side of the road. These men hved here essen- 
tially in the rank and splendor of noblemen, till their possessions were 
confiscated by the state for their adherence to the British cause. Sir 
John was not as popular as his father. Sir William Johnson, being 
less social and less acquainted with human nature. He accompanied 
his father on some of his military expeditions, and probably saw 
considerable service. After his flight from Johnstown to Canada, he 
in the month of January, 1777, found his way into New York, 
then in possession of the British troops. " From that period he be- 
came not only one of the most active, but one of the bitterest foes of 
his own countrymen of any who were engaged in the war, and re- 
peatedly the scourge of his own former neighbors. He was unques- 
tionably a loyaHst from principle, else he would scarcely have 
hazarded, as he did, and ultimately lost, domains larger and fairer 
than probably ever belonged to a single proprietor in America, Wil- 
liam Penn only excepted. 

After the flight of Sir John from Johnson Hall, [see Johnstown] 
lady Johnson, his wife, was removed to Albany, where she was re- 
tained as a kind of hostage for the good conduct of her husband. 
" She wrote to Gen. Washington complaining of this detention, and 
asking his interference for her release ; but the commander-in-chief 
left the matter with Gen. Schuyler and the Albany committee. After 
the confiscation of the property of Sir John, the furniture of the 
hall was sold at auction at Fort Hunter. The late lieutenant-gov- 
ernor of New York, John Taylor, purchased several articles of the 
furniture ; and among other things, the bible mentioned in the text. 
Perceiving that it contained the family record, which might be of 
great value to Sir John, Mr. Taylor wrote a civil note to Sir John, 
offering its restoration. Some time afterward a messenger from the 
baronet called for the bible, whose conduct was so rude as to give 
offence. ' I have come for Sir William's bible,' said he, * and there 

35 



m 



MONTGOMERY COUNTY. 



are four guineas which it cost.' The bible was delivered, and the 
runner was asked what message Sir John had sent. The reply was, 
' Pay four guineas and take the book !' " — Slone's Life of Brant. 

" About a mile and a half above the village of Amsterdam under a jutting rock, on the 
north side of the Mohawk river, are still to be seen the remains of an Indian painting. It 
was the custom of the Mohawks, and doubtless of all the different tribes of ihe Iroquois, 
when they contemplated a military expedition, to make a representation thereof, by paint, 
ing on trees or rocks the figures of the warriors, with hieroglyphics designating the design 
of the expedition. When they went by water, canoes were painted, and as many figures 
placed in them as there were men constituting the party — their faces looking towards the 
place whiiherthey were bound. The painting in question was executed to commemorate 
an expedition undertaken by a party of Mohawks, against the French Indians, about the 
year 1720. We know five or six individuals, who saw the painting fifty years ago, 
when the outlines were very distinctly to be seen. It was done with red chalk, and rep- 
resented five or six canoes, with six or seven men in each." — Schenectady Eeflector, Oct. 
9th, 1835. 




Eastern view of Canajoharie. 

Canajoharie* was organized in 1788. The surface of the town- 
ship is considerably uneven, but the hills are generally arable and 
have a strong soil. The early inhabitants were Germans. Pop. 
5,150. The village of Canajoharie was incorporated in 1829. It is 
situated at the confluence of Bowman's creek with the Mohawk, 
and on the Erie canal, 55 miles from Albany. It consists of about 
100 houses, a Lutheran church, and an academy. The Radii, a newspa- 
per, edited and printed by Mr. L. S. Backus, a deaf and dumb per- 
son, is published in this place. " The Canajoharie and Palatine man- 
ufacturing company" was incorporated in 1833. The accompanying 
engraving shows the appearance of the village as viewed from the ele- 
vated bank of the Mohawk, a few rods from the bridge seen passing 

" * This name is of Indian origin ; and Cana-jo-harie, as spoken by the Mohawks, signifies 
the pot or kettle that washes itself. This name was given by the Mohawk Indians to a 
deep hole of foaming water, at the foot of one of the falls of Canajoharie creek ; fi'om 
which it became the common name of that stream, and an extensive tract of country 
around it." — Sjiifford's Gazetteer. 



MONTGOMERY COUNTY. 275 

over the river, connecting the village of Palatine Bridge with Cana- 
joharie. Central Canajoharie, Ames, and Freysbush, are post-offices 
in this town. 

In the spring of 1780, the Indians again made their appearance in 
the Mohawk valley. Gen. Clinton hearing of their movements, sent 
orders to Col. Gansevoort on the 6th of June, to repair to Fort Plank 
with his regiment, to take charge of a quantity of stores destined for 
Fort Schuyler. These stores were to be transported in batteaux, 
and carefully guarded the whole distance. Joseph Brant, the cele- 
brated chieftain, at the head of four or five hundred Indians, was in 
the vicinity, and he artfully caused a rumor to be circulated that he 
intended to capture the batteaux, in order to divert attention from 
other points of attack. This artifice proved too successful ; the mili- 
tia of the lower section of the county were drawn off to guard the 
convoy. Brant now made a circuit through the woods, and coming 
in the rear of them, laid waste the whole country around Canajoharie. 
On the first approach of Brant in Canajoharie a few miles eastwardly 
of the fort, the alarm was given by a woman, who fired a cannon for 
that purpose. The following account of this incursion is given by 
Col. Samuel Clyde, in a letter to Gov. George Clinton, dated at Can- 
ajoharie, Aug. 6, 1780: — 

" I here send you an account of the fate of our district. On the second day of this in. 
stant, Joseph Brant, at the head of about four or five hundred Indians and tories, broke in 
upon the settlements, and laid the best part of the district in ashes, and killed sixteen of 
the inhabitants that we have found ; took between fifty and sixty prisoners, mostly women 
and children, twelve of whom they have sent back. They have killed and drove away 
with them upwards of three hundred head of cattle and liorses ; have burnt fifry.lhree 
dwelling-houses, besides some out-houses, and as many barns, one very elegant church, and 
one grist-mill, and two small forts that the women fled out of. They have burnt all the in- 
habitants' weapons and implements for husbandry, so that they are left in a miserable con- 
dition. They have nothing left to support themselves but what grain they have growing, 
and that tiiey cannot get saved for want of tools to work with, and very few to be got here. 

" This aflfair happened at a very unfortunate hour, when all the militia of the county 
were called up to Fort Schuyler to guard nine batteaux about half laden. It was said the 
enemy intended to take them on their passing to Fort Schuyler. There was scarce a man 
left that was able to go. It seems that every thing conspired for our destruction in this 
quarter; one whole district almost destroyed, and the best regiment of militia in the county 
rendered unable to help themselves or the public. This I refer you to Gen. Rensselaer for 
the truth of. 

" This spring, when we found that we were not likely to get any assistance, and knew 
that we were not able to withstand the enemy, we were obliged to work and build our- 
selves forts for our defence, which we had nearly completed, and could have had our lives 
and effects secure, had we got liberty to have made use of them. But that miist not be, 
we must turn out of them ; not that we have any thing against assisting the general to open 
the communication to Fort Schuyler, but still doubted what has happened while we were 
gone. But it was still insisted on, that there was no danger when we were all out ; that in 
my opinion there never has been such a blunder committed in the county since the war 
commenced, nor the militia so much put out ; and to send generals here without men, is 
like sending a man to the woods to chop without an axe. I am sensible had the general 
had sufl[icient men, that he would have been able to have given satisfaction both to the pub- 
lic and inhabitants here." 

The parents of Joseph Brant, the celebrated Mohawk chieftain, 
resided at the Canajoharie castle, the central of the three castles of 
the Mohawks, in their native valley. He appears to have been 
born in the year 1742, on the banks of the Ohio, while his parents 



■276 MONTGOMERY COUNTY. 

^ were on a hunting excursion in 

/^ /^ ^.y^/W that part of the country.* " In 

Yy^^ /^T^tA'^^j]^ Ju'y. 1'761, he was sent, by Sir 

/^*^* ^C'^N Wilham Johnson, to the ' Moor's 



/y ^ ) Charity school,' at Lebanon, Con- 

necticut, estabUshed by the Rev. 

Fac-eimile of Brant's er^atur^ j^^ Whcclock, which WaS aftcr- 

ward removed to Dartmouth, and became the foundation of Dart- 
mouth College. The following mention of him is made in the me- 
moirs of that gentleman : — 

" Sir William Johnson, superintendent of Indian Affairs in North 
America, was very friendly to the design of Mr. Wheelock, and, at 
his request, sent to the school, at various times, several boys of the 
Mohawks to be instructed. One of them was the since celebrated 
Joseph Brant ; who, after receiving his education, was particularly 
noticed by Sir William Johnson, and employed by him in public busi- 
ness. He has been very useful in advancing the civilization of his 
countrymen, and for a long time past has been a military officer of 
extensive influence among the Indians in Upper Canada." 

In confirmation of these statements it may be added, that he trans- 
lated into the Mohawk language the gospel of St. Mark, and assisted 
the Rev. Mr. Stewart, the episcopal missionary, in translating a num- 
ber of religious works into the Indian tongue. Brant being a neigh- 
bor, and under the influence of the Johnson family, he took up arms 
against the Americans in the revolutionary contest. "Combining 
the natural sagacity of the Indian, with the skill and science of 
the civilized man, he was a formidable foe. He was a dreadful 
terror to the frontiers. His passions were strong. In his inter- 
course he was affable and polite, and communicated freely rela- 
tive to his conduct. He often said that during the war he had killed 
but one man in cold blood, and that act he ever after regretted. He 
said, he had taken a man prisoner, and was examining him ; the pris- 
oner hesitated, and as he thought equivocated. Enraged at what he 
considered obstinacy, he struck him down. It turned out that the 
man's apparent obstinacy arose from a natural hesitancy of speech. 

" In person, Brant was about the middling size, of a square, stout 
build, fitted rather for enduring hardships than for quick movements. 
His complexion was lighter than that of most of the Indians, which 
resulted, perhaps, from his less exposed manner of living. This cir- 
cumstance, probably, gave rise to a statement, which has been often 
repeated, that he was of mixed origin. He was married in the win- 
ter of 1779 to a daughter of Col. Croghan by an Indian woman. 
The circumstances of his marriage are somewhat singular. He was 

* The Indian name of Brant was Thayendanegea^ a word signifying, it is said, two-sticka. 
of-wood.hound-together, denoting strength. The Ufe of Brant, in two octavo volumes, has 
been recently written by William L. Stone, Esq., editor of the Commercial Advertiser, 
New York. This valuable and highly interesting work is one of great research, and em- 
braces a full history of the border wars of the revolution, and much other matter coimected 
with Indian history. 



MONTGOMERY COUNTY. ' 277 

present at the wedding of Miss Moore from Cherry Valley, who had 
been carried away a prisoner, and who married an officer of the 
garrison at Fort Niagara. 

Brant had Uved with his wife for some time previous, according to 
the Indian custom, without marriage ; but now insisted that the mar- 
riage ceremony should be performed. This was accordingly done by 
Col. Butler, who was still considered a magistrate. After the war 
he removed, with his nation, to Canada. There he was employed in 
transacting important business for his tribe. He went out to Eng- 
land after the war, and was honorably received there. He died about 
ten or fifteen years since, at Brantford, Haldiman county, Upper 
Canada, where his family now reside. One of "his sons, a very in- 
telligent man, has been returned to the Colonial Assembly." 

The following is an account of the taking of the three Mohawk 
castles, which were situated in this vicinity, by the French and Indi- 
ans, in the early settlement of the country. It is drawn from Colden's 
History of the Six Nations. 

In January, 1692-3, a large body of French and Indians, amounting 
to six or seven hundred, started on an expedition from Canada, for 
the purpose of punishing the Five Nations, who had the previous 
summer carried the war into Canada, and in small parties had rav- 
aged the whole country. Count de Frontenac chose the winter sea- 
son for this incursion, when the enemy could not, without great hard- 
ship, keep scouts abroad to discover them, or their allies, the English, 
give assistance. 

On the 15th of January, they set out from la Prairie de Magda- 
leine, and endured innumerable hardships. The ground was at that 
time covered with a deep snow, and the foremost, marching on snow- 
shoes, beat a track for those which followed. At night the army was 
accustomed to divide itself into small groups, and each party to dig 
a hole in the snow, throwing up the snow all around, but highest to- 
wards that side from whence the wind blew. The ground was then 
covered with the small branches of fir-trees, and each man wrapped 
in his cloak with his feet pointed towards a fire in the centre, would 
thus pass the night. 

They passed by Schenectady on the 8th of February. The two 
first forts of the Mohawks being in the neighborhood of the English 
settlements, were not fortified, and were therefore easily taken. At the 
last Mohawk fort, which was strongly garrisoned, they met with con- 
siderable resistance, and the French lost thirty men before the Indi- 
ans submitted. The Indians at Schenectady having obtained infor- 
mation of the capture of their castles, sent to Albany for assistance 
to pursue the enemy. Col. Peter Schuyler, with a body of militia, 
regulars, and Indians, pursued the enemy on their retreat, and had a 
severe skirmish with them. On the 20th, Col. Schuyler was obliged 
to give up the pursuit, the weather being very cold and provisions 
scarce. Schuyler lost only 8 men killed and 14 wounded. The 
French lost 59 men in killed and wounded, besides several by deser- 



^1^ MONTGOMERY COUNTY. 

tion. Schuyler's Indians ate the bodies of the French whom they 
found. The colonel was invited to partake of broth with them: he 
ate quite hearty until, putting the ladle into the kettle to draw out 
more, he brought up a Frenchman's hand, which put an end to his 
appetite. 

The French arrived at their settlements in a state of starvation, 
having been obliged to eat their shoes on their march. 

Charleston, organized in 1788, by the name of Mohawk; part 
erected into a separate town, and the residue called Charleston, 
in 1793 ; from Fonda S. 8 miles, from Albany 40. Charleston, 
Charleston Four Corners, and Bensonville, are post-offices. Pop. 
2,103. 

Florida, taken from Mohawk in 1793; from Albany 35 miles. 
Pop. 5,162. The town was settled by some Dutch families from 
Schenectady, who in 1750 were joined by some Germans, subse- 
quently by Irish and Dutch, and lastly by New Englanders. Fort 
Hunter, 5 miles SE. of Fonda, is a small settlement. Port Jack- 
son, on the Erie canal, is a flourishing village. Minaville, 4 miles S. 
of the canal, is a village of about 40 dwellings. Fort Hunter, which 
formerly stood on the line of the canal in this town, was a place of 
some importance in colonial history. At this place also stood Queen 
Anne's Chape/, a stone structure, built by Queen Anne of England 
for the use of the Mohawk Indians. The English Episcopal mis- 
sions to the Mohawks appear to have been commenced as early as 
1702, and continued down to the beginning of the revolutionary war. 

Glen, taken from Charleston in 1823; from Albany 43 miles. 
Pop. 3,697. This town was originally settled by the Dutch. Ful- 
tonville, on the canal, 1 mile S. from Fonda, 57 from Albany, and 53 
from Utica, has about 50 dwellings, and a Dutch Reformed church. 
Auriesville or Smithtown, on the canal, 3 miles E. of Fultonville, and 
Voorheesville, are small settlements. 

"Somewhere between this [Schoharie] creek and Caughnawaga, commenced an Indian 
road or foot-path, which led to Schoharie. Near this road, and within the northern bounds 
of Schoharie county, has been seen from time immemorial a large pile of stones, which has 
given the name ' stone hea.p patent' to the tract on which it occurs, as may be seen from ancient 
deeds. Indian tradition saith that a Mohawk murdered a brother (or two of them) on this 
spot, and that this tumulus was erected to commemorate the event. A similar practice is 
supposed to have been in vogue among the Hebrews; in Scotland and in Wales, many 
heaps of stones, called ' cairns,' are to be found, probably constructed for a similar purpose. 
May not the bones of this Indian Abel be found here sepulchred ? Every individual 
passing this way made an offering to propitiate the manes of the deceased, or the Minetto 
of the place ; which was performed by the act of adding another stone to the pile ; and a 
person was but a few years since living, who. had witnessed this ceremony. It was con- 
fidently believed by the Indians that those who neglected to do it would meet with some 

misfortune In the early settlement of the province, Benoni Van Corlear, a great 

favorite and friend of the Indians, on a certain occasion, passed this stone heap in company 
with a party of Mohawks on their way to Canada. They all cast a stone upon the pile 
except Van Corlear, who refused, alleging that it would be folly for him to comply with 
an idle superstition. His Indian companions considered the matter in a more serious light, 
and expressed great alarm lest some mishap might befall him or the party. These presages 
were not unreal, for by one of those coincidences which the Almighty sometimes permits, 
Van Corlear lost his life before he arrived at the end of his journey. He was drowned in 
the lake now called Lake Champlain. The Indians in memory of this event called it Van 
Corlear's Lake, which name it retained for some time, until called by the Canadian Catho. 



MONTGOMERY COUNTY. 



279 



lie priests • Lac Sacrement,' for the reason they had selected, and used its waters for sa- 
cramental purposes." 

MiNDEN was taken from Canajoharie in 1798. The town was 
settled at an early period by Germans, who suffered severely from 
the incursions of the Indians and tories during the revolutionary war. 
The surface of the township is agreeably diversified by gentle hills 
and fertile valleys on Mohawk river and Otsquake creek. Pop. 3,507. 
The village of Fort Plain is situated on the Mohawk river and Erie 
canal, 15 miles from Fonda, 12 miles from Cherry Valley, 22 from 
Cooperstown, and 60 from Albany : it consists of about 80 houses, 
2 churches — 1 Presbyterian, 1 Universalist — a printing office, and a 
number of mills. 




Ancient Blockhouse, Fort Plain. 

The above is said to be a correct representation of Fort Plain, from 
which the village derives its name. 

" The fort was situated on the brow of the hill, about half a mile northwest of the vil- 
tage, so as to command a full view of the valley, and the rise of the ground, for several 
miles in any direction ; and iience it doubtless derived its name, because its beautiful loca- 
tion commanded a ^ plairV view of the surrounding country. It was erected by the gov. 
ernment, as a fortress, and place of retreat and safety for the inhabitants and familiee in 
case of incursions from the Indians, who were then, and, indeed, more or less during the 
whole revolutionary war, infesting the settlements of this whole region. Its form was an 
octagon, having port-holes for heavy ordnance and muskets on every side. It contained 
three stories or apartments. The first story was thirty feet in diameter ; the second, forty 
feel ; the third, fifty feet ; the last two stories projecting five feet, as represented by the 
drawing aforesaid. It was constructed throughout of hewn timber about fifteen inches 
square ; and, besides the port.holes aforesaid, the second and third stories had perpendicular 
port-holes through those parts that projected, so as to afford the regulars and militia, or set- 
tlers garrisoned in the fort, annoying facilities of defence for themselves, wives, and chil- 
dren, in case of close assault from the relentless savage. Whenever scouts came in with 
tidings that a hostile party was approaching, a cannon was fired from the fort as a signal to 
flee to it for safety. 

" In the early part of the war there was built, by the inhabitants probably, at or near the 
site of the one above described, a fortification, of materials and construction that ill com- 
ported with the use and purposes for which it was intended. This induced government to 
erect another, (Fort Plain,) under the superintendence of an experienced French engineer. 
As a piece of architecture, it was well wrought and neatly finished, and surpassed all the 
forts in that region. After the termination of the revolutionary war. Fort Plain was used 
for some years as a deposit of military stores, under the direction of Captain B. Hudson. 
These stores were finally ordered by the United States government to be removed to Al- 



280 



MONTGOMERY COUNTY. 



bany. The fort is demolished. Nothing of it remains except a circumvallation or trench, 
which, although nearly obliterated by the plough, still indicates to the curious traveller 
sufficient evidence of a fortification in days by-gone." — Fort Plain Journal, Dec. 26, 1837. 

Hendrick, a celebrated Indian chieftain, lived in this town. He is 
sometimes called old King Hendrick, and the great Hendrick. 

" ' The site of his house,' says Dr. Dwight, ' is a handsome elevation, commanding a 
considerable prospect of the neighboring country. It will be sufficient to observe here, 
that for capacity, bravery, vigor of mind, and immoveable integrity united, he excelled all 
the aboriginal inhabitants of the United States of whom any knowledge has come down to 
the present time. A gentleman of very respectable character, who was present at a coun- 
oil held with the Six Nations, by the governor of New York, and several agents of distinc- 
tion from New England, informed me that his figure and countenance were singularly im- 
pressive and commanding ; that his eloquence was of the same superior character, and that 
he appeared as if born to control other men, and possessed an air of majesty unrivalled 
within his knowledge.' In the French wars he led forth his Mohawk warriors and fought 
side by side with Sir William Johnson. Through all the intrigues of the French he re- 
mained faithful to his alliance. He was also highly esteemed by the white inhabitants. 
During some of the negotiations with the Indians of Pennsylvania and the inhabitants of 
that state, Hendrick was present at Philadelphia. His likeness was taken, and a wax figure 
afterward made which was a very good imitation. After the death of Hendrick, an old 
friend, a white man, visited Philadelphia, and among other things was shown this wax 
figure. It occupied a niche., and was not observed by him until he had approached within 
a few feet. The friendship of former days came fresh over his memory, and forgetting for 
the moment Hendrick's death, he rushed forward and clasped in his arms the frail, icy 
image of the chieftain." 

Mohawk, the ancient Caughnawaga, recently organized, was form- 
erly the southern section of the town of Johnstown, from which it 
was taken in 1837. Pop. 3,106. Since the formation of the new 
county of Fulton, the seat of justice for Montgomery county has been 




East view of the Courthouse and Hotel in Fonda. 

located in this town. The above is an engraving of the courthouse 
and hotel recently erected in the new village of Fonda. The railroad 
passes between these two buildings. The central part of the village 
of Caughnawaga is about half a mile eastward of the courthouse, 
and consists of about 30 dwelling-houses, on the north side of the 
Mohawk, 40 miles from Albany, and 4 miles S. from Johnstown. 
The village occupies the site of an ancient Indian village, one of the 
principal towns of the Mohawk tribe. Its name, Caughnawaga, is 
said to signify " a coffin" which it received from the circumstance of 



MONTGOMERY COUNTY. 



281 




there being, in the river opposite the place, a large black stone, (still 
to be seen,) resembling a coffin, and projecting above the surface at 
low water. 

The annexed is a representation of 
the ancient Dutch church in Caughna- 
waga. it IS a massive stone structure, 
and is believed to have been erected in 
1763. The following is a copy of the 
inscription on the stone tablet which 
was formerly placed over the door. 

" Komt laett ons op gaen tot den 
Bergh des Heeren, to den huyse des 
Godes Jacobs, op dat hy ons leere van 
syne wegen, en dat wy wandele in 
syne paden." 

[" Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of 
the Lord ; to the house of the God of Jacob, and 
he will teach us his ways, and we will walk in his 
paths."] 
Ancient Church, Blohawk. 

The following, relating to the history of this town, is taken from 
a newspaper published in Schenectady a few years since. 

" The Caughnawaga flats extend from the western base of Tripe's Hill to the Cayadutta 
creek, a distance of fonr miles. A patent for 2,500 acres of these flats, was granted in the 
year 1713, to John, Euward, and Margaret Collins. These individuals aliened to Myndert 
Wemple, Douw Fonda, and Hendrick A. Vrooman ; and many of their descendants are 
proprietors at the present day. 

" Until 1695, there were no buildings on the site where Caughnawaga now stands, ex- 
cept a Dutch church edifice and a parsonage. This church was founded in 1762, by the 
patronage of Sir William Johnson. Its principal benefactors were the Fonda, Vrooman, 
Wemple, and Veeder families. The church edifice is still standing, bul in a dilapidated 
condition. Its first pastor was the Rev. Thomas Romeyn, who died in 1794. He was 
succeeded by the Rev. Abraham Van Horne, of New Jersey, who continued his pastoral 
duties until a few years since. 

" Caughnawaga hardly deserved to be called a hamlet until 1795, when Messrs. Douw 
and Henry Fonda, of Albany, erected several buildings. 

" This place suffered much during the revolution. At the western extremity of the flats, 
is a small hill called by the Dutch ' Teahurg^ or Teahill. It was a place of resort, during 
the time of the French war, by the Caughnawaga ladies during the absence of their hus- 
bands, to indulge in their delicious beverage of tea. It was considered a good place of re- 
treat from danger, and from which the approach of the enemy might be seen. The Mo- 
hawk name of this elevation is ' Kaheka-nunda,' or ' hill of berries ;' probably because 
many berries are found there. The ancient Mohawks required their male papooses to run 
up and down this hill, and those who flagged under the exercise, were deemed unqualified 
to endure the fatigues of war. 

" The first settlers of Tripe's Hill, were respectable yeomen. Nicholas Hanson's family 
emigrated thither about 1725, from Albany. His son Hendrick was the first white child 
born in the Mohawk valley west of Schenectady, on the north side of the river. About 
1728, a New Englander by the name of Bowen, and a Mr. Putnam from Schenectady, took 
up their residence here. The descendants of the Hansons and Putnams are to found to 
this day in this region, and the creek on the eastern side of Tripe's Hill received its name 
from the circumstance of the Putnam family owning the land through which it passes. 

" About the time the colonies declared their independence, the Bowen, with several 
other families, took part with the mother country and moved to Canada. They were in- 
duced to take this course in consequence of their attachment to Sir Wilham Johnson, who, 
whatever his faults might have been, posseseed much warm-heartedness and benevolence. 

36 



^82 



MONTGOMERY COUNTY. 



Had he lived during the revolutionary contest, it is generally believed he would have done 
much towards restraining the ferocity of the bloodthirsty tories and their savage allies, 
whose murderous attacks on the defenceless inhabitants of ' the valley,' are so famous in 
tradition. But the mantle of Sir William did not descend on his son Sir John Johnson. 
The latter with a party of tories, most of whom had formerly resided at Tripe's Hill, and 
among whom Henry and William Bowen held conspicuous stations, made an arrangement 
for a descent on this settlement. The most zealous whig at the ' Hill' was Garret Putnam, 
captain of a company of rangers. He had rendered himself particularly obnoxious to the 
British in consequence of the fearless and zealous stand which he had taken against them. 
On the I8th of May, 1780, he received orders to repair to Fort Hunter; which he did, 
taking his family along with him. He leased his house to William Gort and James Plateau, 
two Englishmen, who, although tories, took no active part and were therefore unmolested 
by the whigs. About midnight on the 20th of May, Sir John's party reached the ' Hill,' 
and stealthily entering Mr. Putnam's house, instantly killed and scalped its inmates. The 
hapless victims had not an opportunity to reveal themselves. The enemy su[)posed they 
had the scalps of Captain Putnam and his son, and were not undeceived until the morning 
light revealed to them the corpses of their two brother tories, Gort and Plateau. The 
same night Henry Hanson, a zealous whig, was also murdered." 

^_..^ ^ wa The annexed is a representation 

■^^ ^^S *" '"''"' ' " " ^"^ A, ^^ ^^^ house of Col. Butler the loyal- 

^ & p^g:raT;^^^:^ -^ ^^B!^^^^, ing in the town ; it is now owned 
^ ^ITl'^^jjpfw^ j^pRlffl^B and occupied by Mr. Wilson. It is 
mm '^'^y^^lBi^S^ ^^H^Sp situated on a commanding eminence 
-^^^^^^^^ ^x^ i ^^^^^^te about one mile in a NE. direction 
"°*^^^^^^^^^^^&~^=^ ' from the courthouse, in Fonda, over- 
Butler's House, Mohawk. looking the beautiful Mohawk val- 

ley at this place. At the breaking out of the revolutionary war, 
John Butler was lieutenant-colonel of a regiment of the Tryon county 
militia, of which Guy Johnson was the colonel, and Jelles Fonda the 
major. Sir John Johnson had been commissioned a general after 
the decease of his father. " Colonel John Butler," says Mr. Tryon, 
in his Annals, " had some good traits of character, and in his calmer 
moments would regret the ravages committed by the Indians and 
tories ; but Walter Butler was distinguished from youth for his severe 
acrimonious disposition. After the massacre at Cherry Valley he 
went to Quebec ; but Gen. Haldiman, governor of Canada, gave out 
that he did not wish to see him." 

Palatine, organized in 1782 ; from Fonda, W., 14 miles. This 
town was first settled by the Dutch, in 1724, and though constantly 
under cultivation, ever since that time its choice lands can hardly be 
said to have lost any of their original fertility ! Palatine is 13 miles 
W. of Johnstown, on the river, turnpike, and Utica railroad. Pala- 
tine Bridge is also on the river, turnpike, and railroad, immediately 
opposite Canajoharie village, with which it is connected by a bridge. 
(See view of Canajoharie.) Stone Arabia is 3 miles N. from Cana- 
joharie. The above are all small villages. Pop. 2,845. During the 
revolutionary war there was a small stockade erected in this town, 
at Stone Arabia, called Fort Paris. When Sir John Johnson was 
ravaging the valley of the Mohawk, in 1780, this fort was in command 
of Col. Brown, with a garrison of one hundred and thirty men. Gen. 
Van Rensselaer, who was pursuing Sir John up the valley, having 
received information that he intended to attack Fo~rt Paris on the 



MONTGOMERY COUNTY. 283 

19th of Oct., despatched orders to Col. Brown to march out and check 
his advance, while he fell upon his rear. Col. Brown accordingly 
sallied forth, and gave Sir John battle near the site of a former work, 
called Fort Keyser. Van Rensselaer having failed to advance at the 
appointed time. Brown's force was too feeble to check the progress 
of the enemy. Col. Brown fell gallantly at the head of his little divi- 
sion, of which from forty to forty-five were also slain, and the re- 
mainder sought safety in flight.* 

Root, taken from Canajoharie and Charleston in 1823; from 
Albany 51 miles. Sprackers Basin, on the canal, 9 miles W. of 
Fonda, and Currytown, are small villages. " In the rocky cliffs of the 
Nose, near the river, is a remarkable cavern known as Mitchell's 
Cave. Fourteen apartments, some it is said at the depth of 500 feet, 
have been visited. The ceilings are ornamented with stalactites, the 
walls with incrustations, and the floors with stalagmites. On the 
Plattekill, a mile from the river, there is a waterfall of about 80 feet 
in 10 rods, with a perpendicular pitch of 50 feet." Pop. 2,000. 

St. Johnsville, recently taken from Oppenheim of Fulton county. 
The township is small in its territorial limits, being a narrow strip* of 
land on the north bank of the Mohawk. Pop. 1,923. The village 
of St. Johnsville is about 20 miles from Fonda, and 77 from Albany. 

In the fall of 1780, when Sir John Johnson ravaged the Mohawk 
valley, he made a stand near the western line of this town, when pur- 
sued by Gen. Van Rensselaer. This was at Fox's mills, about eight 
miles above Fort Plank, (or as it is now called, Fort Plain,) and two 
miles below the upper Mohawk castle. 

" On the north side and on a flat, partly surrounded by a bend of 
the river, he posted his regiment of regulars and tories. A small 
breastwork was thrown across the neck of land. The Indians occu- 
pied a tract of elevated land to the north, and in the immediate 
vicinity, which was covered with a thick growth of shrub oak. In 

* Colonel Brown was a brave soldier of high moral worth. He was early in the service, 
and was engaged in the disastrous campaign in Canada. Col. Stone, in his Life of Brant, 
states that Col. Brown detected, or believed he detected, a design on the part of Gen. Ar- 
nold to play the traitor when the American army was at Sorel, by an attempt to run off 
with the American flotilla and sell out to Sir Guy Carleton. During the winter of 1776—7, 
while Arnold and many other officers were quartered in Albany, a difficulty arose between 
him and Col. Brown. The latter published a handbill severely reflecting on Arnold, and 
concluded with these remarkable words — " Money is this mail's God, and to get enough 
of it he would sacrifice his country." This publication produced quite a sensation among 
the officers. Arnold was greatly excited ; he applied a variety of course and harsh epithets 
to Col. Brown, caUing him a scoundrel, and threatened to kick him wherever he should 
meet him. This coming to the ears of the latter, he proceeded to the dining place of Ar- 
nold, where a company of officers were assembled ; going directly up to Arnold he stopped, 
and looked him in the eye. After a pause of a moment, he observed : " / understand, sir, 
that you have said you would kick me : I now present myself to give you an opportunity 
to put your threat into execution .'" Another brief pause ensued. Arnold opened not his 
lips. Brown then said to him — " Sir, you are a dirty scoundrel .'" Arnold still remained 
silent. Col. Brown, after apologizing to the gentlemen present for his intrusion, left the 
room. Arnold appears to have kept an unbroken silence on this occasion, which can only 
be accounted for on the supposition that he feared to provoke inquiry on the charges of Col. 
Brown. A monument to the memory of Col. Brown has recently been erected by hia son, 
at Stone Arabia. 



284 NEW YORK COUNTY. 

this position Sir John awaited the approach of Gen. Van Rensselaer, 
who was joined by the Canajoharie mihtia and the tories from Fort 
Plain under Col. Du Bois. After a slight skirmish, the Indians were 
driven Irom their position, and fled up the river to the fording place, 
near the castle, where they crossed, and directed their course towards 
the Susquehannah. Sir John's troops made a more effective resist- 
ance, though they were almost exhausted by the forced marches 
which they had made and the labors they had performed. The at- 
tack had been commenced late in the day. Though it was conducted 
with considerable spirit, night came on before the works of Sir John 
were carried. In this situation Gen. Van Rensselaer ordered his 
troops to fall back a mile and encamp. Many of the militia were en- 
raged on account of this order, and refused to obey it. They re- 
mained during most of the night, and took several prisoners, who 
informed them that the enemy were on the point of offering to capit- 
ulate, when Gen. Van Rensselaer ordered his troops to fall back. 
A detachment of the Canajoharie militia under Col. Clyde took one 
of their field-pieces during the night. 

" On the following morning, when Gen. Van Rensselaer advanced 
with his troops, the enemy had entirely disappeared. They had left 
their ground, and retreated up the river a short distance, and then 
crossed to the south. The river was deep and rapid where it formed 
the bend, which would have ensured Gen. Van Rensselaer a com- 
plete victory had he prosecuted his attack with more vigor. A 
detachment was sent in pursuit, who discovered in the trail of the 
enemy evidence of the extreme state to which they were reduced 
by hunger and fatigue. The whole country on the north side of the 
river, from Caughnawaga to Stone Arabia and Palatine, had been 
devastated — which, with the ravages of Brant on the south side of 
the river, in the previous August, almost completed the destruction 
of the Mohawk settlements. 

" If here and there a little settlement escaped their ravages, each 
were like an oasis in the desert, affording temporary shelter and pro- 
tection, and, like them, liable to be destroyed or buried up by the 
next whirlwind which should sweep over the land." 



NEW YORK COUNTY. 

The county and city of New York are of the same extent, com- 
prising the whole of New York, or Manhattan Island, about 14^ miles 
long, varying from half a mile to two miles in width ; area 21 1 square 
miles, or 13,920 acres. It is bounded on the north and east by Haer- 
lem and East rivers, south and west by the Hudson, or by New York 
bay and the state of New Jersey. The legal subdivisions of the 
county and city are the wards, 17 in number, of various extent, ac- 



NEW YORK COUNTY. 



285 



cording to local convenience. Agreeable to the charter of New York 
its jurisdiction extends to the lands under the adjoining waters as far 
as to low-water mark on the opposite sides. The compact part of 
the city is at the southern part of the island, and covers about one 
sixth part of its surface. Its latitude and longitude, reckoned from 
the City Hall, were determined in 1817, by order of the corporation, 
as follows : N. lat. 40° 42' 43" ; W. long, from Greenwich, England, 
73° 59' 46", and E. long, from the city of Washington 3° 1' 13". 

A table of the population of the city of New York, of the state of New York, and of the 
United States, at various periods. 



State. 



United States. 



.49,819. 



Years. City. 

1656 1,000 

1697 4,302 

1731 8,622 

1750 10,000 100,000 1,000,000 

1774 22,750 250,000 3,000,000 

1800 60,489 586,000 5,309,750 

1810 96,373 959,220 7,238,903 

1820 123,706 1,372,812 9,638,226 

1830 202,589 1,918,608 12,852,858 

1835 270,089 2,174,517 

1840 312,932 2,429,481 17,068,112 

The relative proportion of the population of the city to that of the whole state, has gen- 
erally been from one-eight to one-tenth ; and the state of New York has borne the same re- 
lative proportion also to the whole United States. 

" The number of buildings in the compact part of the city of New York is 32,116 ; of 
which there are used as breweries, di'^tiileries, tanneries, and the like 46 ; as dwelling 
houses exclusively, 16,458 ; as dwellings with shops 6,614 ; as stores and offices exclusively 
3,855 ; as taverns and private boarding-houses 736 ; as baths 9 ; as factories, with engines 
equal to 1100 horse power, 74 ; as large factories, with labor-saving power, 172 ; as private 
stables 2,603 ; as livery stables 137 ; as dairy stables 57 ; miscellaneous 1,355. 

" The valuation of real estate in the city, as corrected by the board of supervisors in 
1840, is $187,222,714; and of personal estate $65,013,801. Aggregate $252,235,515. 

"From 1810 to 1841, the corporation has expended for opening, widening, and improving 
streets, &c., $6,275,317. 

" The total amount derived from the city, by the state, from auction duties, from 1816 to 
1840 inclusive, is $4,249,527. 

" The receipts into the general Treasury during the year 1840, from the ordinary rev- 
enues of the city, from the negotiation of its stocks, and from the management of its ' tnist 
accounts,' including the cash on hand at the commencement of the year, amounted to 
$6,004,610 12. 

" The amount of warrants drawn upon the Treasurer, for the ordinary expenses of the 
city government, the payment of its pre-existing debts, for its disbursements on the public 
works, and on its ' trust accounts,' including the warrants outstanding at the commencement 
of the year, amounted to $6,007,260 54 ; from which is to be deducted the warrants out- 
standing and unclaimed at the close of the year, amounting to $176,829 50. The result 
showing the actual amount paid by the Treasurer, during the year to be $5,830,431 04 ; 
and the cash balance in the treasury January 1st, 1841, to be $174,179 08." 

Population of the several Wards in New York. 



1st ward 10,629 

2d ward 6,408 

3d ward 11,581 

4th ward 15,770 

5th ward 19,159 

6th ward 17,199 

7th ward 22,985 

8th ward 29,173 

9th ward 24,795 



10th ward 29,093 

11th ward 17,052 

12th ward 11,678 

13th ward 18,516 

14th ward 20,230 

15th ward 17,769 

16th ward 22,275 

17th ward 18,622 



286 



NEW YORK COUNTY. 



The bay of New York spreads to the southward, and is about 8 
miles long, and from 1?> to 5h broad. It is one of the finest harbors 
in the world, generally open for vessels at all seasons of the year, 
but is, at rare intervals, obstructed for a few days in very severe 
winters by ice. The currents in the bay are rapid and strong, cir- 
cumstances that are of great importance in keeping the port of New 
York open, while others further to the south are obstructed by frost. 
The usual tides at New York are about six feet, and the depth of 
water suihcient for the largest ships. The bay contains Governor's, 
Bedlow's, and Ellis' islands, upon which are strong fortifications 
guarding the approach to the city. There are also fortifications on 
Long and Staten islands, commanding the narrows. 




Stadt Huys, built 1642 — razed 1700. 

New York derives its origin from the colonizing and commercial 
spirit of the Hollanders, and the general spirit of adventure which 
prevailed among the maritime nations of Europe after the discovery 
of the western continent by Columbus. The Dutch immediately 
after the discovery of Hudson in 1609, began to avail themselves of 
the advantages which his discoveries presented to their view. In 
1614 or 1615, a kind of fort and trading-house was erected on the 
southwest point of Manhattan or New York Island, which was named 
New Amsterdam. In 1614, an expedition from South Virginia, under 
Capt. Argal, was sent out by Sir Thomas Dale, and took possession 
of New Amsterdam. At that time there were only four houses out- 
side of the fort. But an arrangement was soon after made with the 
English government, by which the Dutch remained in possession of 
Manhattan Island, and of the trade of the neighboring country for 
fifty years. 

The above is a representation of the ancient " Stadt Huys" or 
City Hall, which was built early in the Dutch dynasty, in 1642. It 
was built of stone at the head of Coenties slip, facing Pearl-street. 
About the year 1700, it became so weakened and impaired, that it was 
sold, and a new one erected by the head of Broad-street, which was 
afterward the Congress Hall, on the corner of Wall-street. 



NEW YORK COUNTY. 



287 



The city was laid out in streets, some of them crooked enough, in 
1656. It then contained by enumeration ' 120 houses, with extensive 
garden lots,' and 1000 inhabitants. In 1677 another estimate of the 
city was made, and ascertained to contain--; 368 houses. In the 
year 1674, an assessment of ' the most wealthy inhabitants' having 
been made, it was found that the sum total of 134 estates amounted 
to £95.000. 




Nieuw Amsterdam, in 1659. 



[A, tliefort. B, the church. C, the wind-mill 
E, the prison. F, the house of the general. G, the place of execution. H, the Pace of expose or pillory.] 



D, the fla?, which is hoisted jvhen vessels arrive in porL 
"a( 



During the military rule of Governor Colve, M^ho held the city for 
one year for the states of Holland, after its re-capture from the British, 
every thing partook of a military character, and the laws still in 
preservation at Albany show the energy of a rigorous discipline. 
Then the Dutch mayor, at the head of the city militia, held his daily 
parades before the City Hall, (Stadt Huys,) then at Coenties slip ; and 
every evening at sunset, he received from the principal guard of the 
fort, called the hoofd-wagt, the keys of the city, and thereupon pro- 
ceeded with a guard of six to lock the city gates ; then to place a 
Burger-wagt — a citizen-guard — as night-watches at assigned places. 
The same mayors also went the rounds at sunrise to open the gates, 
and to restore the keys to the officer of the fort. All this was surely 
a toilsome service for the domestic habits of the peaceful citizens of 
that day, and must have presented an irksome honor to any mayor 
who loved his comfort and repose. 

" It may amuse some of the present generation, so little used to Dutch names, to learn 

some of the titles once so familiar in New York, and now so little understood. Such as 

De Heer Officier, or Hoofd-Schout — High-Sheriff. De Fiscael, or Procureur Gen. — Attor 
ney General. Wees-Meesters — Guardians of orphans. Roy-Meesters — Regulators of 
fences. Grooi Burgerrecht and Klein Burgerrecht — The great and small citizenship, 
which then marked the two orders of society. Eyck-Meester — The Weigh Master. The 
3chout, (the Sheriff.) Bourgomasters and Schepens then ruled tlie city ' as in all cities of 
the Fatherland.' Geheim Schryver — Recorder of secrets." — Watson^s Olden Times, 
New York. 



288 



NEW YORK COUNTY. 



The preceding cut shows the principal buildings standing on the 
present site of the city of New York in 1659. The following de- 
scription of New York at about that period, is copied from " Ogilby's 
America,'" a large folio volume illustrated by engravings, published in 
London in 1671. This work contains a view of Novum Amsteroda- 
mmn, (as it is called,) similar to the engraving from which the annexed 
cut is copied. 

" It is placed upon the neck of the Island Manhatans looking towards the Sea ; encom. 
pass'd with Hudson's River, which is six Miles broad, the town is compact and oval, with 
very fair streets and several good Houses ; the rest are built much after the manner of 
Holland, to the number of about four hundred Houses, which in those parts are held con- 
siderable : Upon one side of the Town is James-Fort, capable to lodge three hundred soul- 
diers and Officers ; it hath four bastions, forty Pieces of Cannon mounted ; the Walls of 
Stone, lined with a thick Rampart of Earth, well accommodated with a spring of Fresh 
Water, always furnish'd with Arms and Ammunition against Accidents : Distant from the 
Sea seven Leagues, it affords a safe entrance, even to unskilful Pilots ; under the Town 
side, ships of any burthen may ride secure against any Storms ; the Current of the River 
being broken by the interposition of a small Island, which lies a mile distant from the Town. 

" About ten Miles from New York is a place call'd Hell Gate, which being a narrow pas- 
sage, there runneth a violent Stream both upon Flood and Ebb ; and in the middle lie some 
Rocky Islands, which the Current sets so violently upon, tliat it threatens present Ship- 
wrack ; and upon the Flood is a large Whirlwind, which continually sends forth a hideous 
roaring ; enough to affright any Stranger from passing farther ; and to wait for some Charon 
to conduct him through ; yet to those who are acquainted little or no danger : It is a place 
of great Defence against any Enemy coming in that way, which a small Fortification would 
absolutely prevent, and necessitate them to come in at the West End of Long Island by 
Sandy Hocjk, where Statten Island forces them within the Command of the Fort at New 
York, which is one of the best Pieces of Defence in the North parts of America. It is 
built most of Brick and Stone and cover'd with Red and Black Tyle, and the Land being 
high, it gives at a distance a most pleasing prospect to the Spectators. The inhabitants 
consist most of Engli^ and Dutch, and have a considerable trade with Indians for Beaver, 
Otter and Rackoon Skms with other Furrs ; as also for Bear, Deer, and Elke-Skins ; and 
are supply'd with Venison and Fowl in the winter, and Fish in the Summer by the Indians, 
which they buy at an easie Rate ; and having the Countrey round about them, and are 
continually furnish'd with all such provisions as are needful for the Life of Man, not onely 
by the English and Dutch within their own, but likewise by the adjacent Colonies. 

" The Manhattans, or Great River being the chiefest, having with two wide Mouths 
wash'd the mighty Island Watonwaks, falls into the Ocean. The Southern Mouth is call'd 
Port May, or Godyns Bay. In the piiddle thereof lies an Island call'd ' The States Island ; 
and a little higher the Manhattans, so call'd from the Natives which on the East side of the 
River dwell on the Main Continent. They are a cruel people, and enemies to the Holland- 
ders, as also of the Sarhians which reside on the Western Shore. Farther up are the 
Mackwaes and Mahikans which continually War, one against another. In like manner 
all the Inhabitants on the West Side of the River Manhattan, are commonly at enmity 
with those that possess the Eastern Shore ; who also us'd to be at variance with the Hoi. 
landers, when as the other People at the Westward kept good correspondency with them. 
On a small Island near the Shore of the Mackwaes, lay formerly a Fort, provided with two 
Drakes and eleven Stone Guns, yet was at last deserted." 

" The settlement and fort continued to bear the name of Nieuw 
Amsterdam, by the Dutch, down to the time of the surrender by 
Governor Stuyvesant to the English, in 1664. Then for ten years 
under the rule of Cols. Nicolls and Lovelace, acting for the Duke of 
York, it was called New York ; but in August, 1673, a Dutch fleet, in 
time of war, re-captured it from the British, and while exercising 
their rule for their High Mightinesses of Holland, to the time of the 
peace in 1674, they called the place Neio Orange, in compliment to 
the prince of Orange, and the fort they called Willem Hendrick. 

" The city being restored to the British by the treaty, was re-deliv- 



NKW YORK COUNTV. 289 

ered to the British in October, 1674. The fort then took the name 
of Fort James, being built of quadrangular form, having four bastions, 
two gates, and 42 cannon. The city again took the name of New 
York, once and forever. 

The following extracts are from a pamphlet publication by J. W. 
Moulton, Esq., entitled "View of the city of New Orange (now New 
York) as it was in the year 1673." 

" Fort Amsterdam, genaamt James-Fort by de Engelsche. Fort Amsterdam, otherwise 
called James-Fort by the English. The name officially given to the fort in 1673, was ' fort 
Willem Hendrick.' It was first erected and finished in 1 635, by Gov. Van Twiller, neg. 
lected by Governor Kieft, repaired and surrounded by a stone wall by Governor Stuyve- 
sant, and demolished, and the ground levelled in 1790 and '91. It was situated directly 
south of the Bowling green, on high ground, was in shape of a regular square, with four 
bastions, had two gates, and mounted forty-two cannon. 

" Gereformeerde Kerch. The reformed Dutch church was erected within the fort, by 
Governor Kieft, in 1642. It was of stone, and covered with oak shingles, which exposed 
to the weather, soon resembled slate. The motives that induced Governor Kieft to become 
the founder of the fust church in this city, may be best related in the words of captain Da- 
vid Pietersz de Vriez ' artillery meester van 't noorder Quartier,' who performed three voy. 
ages to New Netherlands, associated with Killiaen Van Rensalaer and others, in 1630, to 
colonize this region, attempted a colony at the Hore-Kill on the Delaware, in the time of 
Van Twiller, and another on ' Staaten Eylandt,' which he sustained till the troubles with 
the Indians in the latter time of Kieft drove him to abandon the country. De Vriez ob- 
serves : ' As I was every day with Commander Kieft, dinmg generally at his house when I 
happened to be at the fort, he told me one day that he had now made a fine tavern, built 
with stone, for the English, by whom, as they passed continually with their vessels from 
New England to Virginia, he had suffered much, and who now might take lodgings there. 
I told him this was very good for travellers, but that we wanted very badly for our people 
a church. It was a shame that when the English passed, they should see nothing but a 
mean barn, in which we performed our worship ; on the contrary, the first thing that they 
in New England did, when they had built fine dwellings, was to erect a fine church : we 
ought to do the same, it being supposed that the West India Company were very zealous in 
protecting the Reformed church (Calvinist) against the Spanish tyranny, that we had good 
materials for it, fine oak wood, fine building stone, good lime made of oyster shells, being 
better than our lime in Holland. Kieft asked me then who would like to attend to this 
building ? I replied the lovers of the reformed religion, as certainly some of them could be 
found. He told me that he supposed I myself was one of them, as I made the proposition, 
and he supposed I would contribute a hundred guilders ! I replied that I agreed to do so, 
and that as he was Governor, he should be the first. We then elected Jochem Pietersz 
Kuyter, who having a set of good hands, would soon procure good timber, he being also a 
devout Calvinist. We elected also Jan Claesz Damen, because he lived near the fort, and 
thus we four " Kerk mcesters" formed the first consistory to superintend the building of the 
church. The governor should furnish a few thousand guilders of the company's money, 
and would try to raise the remainder by subscription. The church should be built in the 
fort, where it would be free from the depredations of the Indians. The building was soon 
started of stone, and was covered by English carpenters with slate, spht of oakwood,' (that 
^, with oak shingles, which by rain and wind soon became blue, and resembled slate.) 

" The contract for the erection of this church is upon record. It was made in May, 
1642, before the secretary of the New Netherlands, between ' William Kieft, church, 
warden, at the request of his brethren, the church-wardens of the church in New Nether. 
land, and John Ogden of Stanford, and Richard Ogden, who contracted to build the church 
of rock-stone, 72 feet long, 52 broad, and 16 feet high above the soil, for 2,500 guilders 
(jC416 13 4) " in beaver, cash or merchandize, to wit, if the church-wardens are satis- 
fied with the work, so that, in their judgment, the 2,500 guilders shall have been earned — 
then said church-wardens will reward them with one hundred guilders (.£16 13 4) more," 
in the mean time assist them win never it is in their power, and allow them the use, for a 
month or six weeks, of the Company's boat, to facilitate the carrying of the stone thither.' 

" The church was not completely finished until the first year of Governor Stuyvesant's 
administration. In July, 1647, he and two others were appointed kerk-meesters, (church, 
wardens,) to superintend the work, and complete it the ensuing winter. 

" The town bell wai; removed to this church. Besides the office of calling the devout to 

37 



290 NEW YORK COUNTY. 

meeting, and announcing the hour of retirement at night, the bell was appropriated fo. 
various singular uses. In October, 1638, a female, for slandering the Rev. E. Bogardus, 
was condemned to appear at fort Amsterdam, and before the governor and council, ' to 
declare in public, at the sounding of the bell, that she knew the minister was an honest 
and pious man, and that she lied falsely.' 

" In 1639, all mechanics and laborers in the service of the Company commenced and 
left work at the ringing of the bell, and for every neglect forfeited double the amount of 
their wages, to the use of the attorney-general. 

" In 1647, all tavern keepers were prohibited, by the placards of Governor Stuyvesant 
and council, from accommodating any clubs, or selling any ardent liquor, after the ringing 
of the bell, at nine o'clock in the evening. 

In 1648, two runaways were summoned into court by the ringing of the bell, to defend 
themselves. And in 1677, an ordinance was passed by the common council of New York, 
imposing a fine of six shillings on any members of the corporation and jurymen, who should 
neglect to appear in court at the third ringing of the bell. The bell-ringer was an- 
ciently the court messenger. In 1661, amid his multifarious official duties, he was to ' as- 
sist in burying the dead and attend to toll the bell.' 

" The proclamation of governor Lovelace, issued December 10, 1672, is a document too 
curious to be omitted. It was in the following words : — 

" 'Whereas it is thought convenient and necessary, in obedience to his Sacred Majesty's 
Commands, who enjoynes all his subjects, in their distinct colonyes, to enter into a strict 
Allyance and Correspondency with each other, as likewise for the advancement of Nego- 
tiation, Trade and Civill Commerce, and for a more speedy Intelligence and Dispatch of 
afl^ayres, that a messenger or Post bee authorised to sett forth from this City of New-Yorke, 
monthly, and thence to travaile to Boston, from whence within that month hee shall re- 
turne againe to this City : These are therefore to give notice to all persons concerned. 
That on the first day of January next (1673) the messenger appointed shall proceed on his 
Journey to Boston : If any therefore have any letters or small portable goods to bee con- 
veyed to Hartford, Connecticott, Boston, or any other parts in the Road, they shall bee 
carefully delivered according to the Directions by a sworne Messenger and Post, who is 
purposely imployed in that Affayre ; In the Interim those that bee dispos'd to send Letters, 
lett them bring them to the Secretary's office, where in a lockt Box they shall bee preserv'd 
till the Messenger calls for them. AH persons paying the Post before the Bagg bee seald 
up. Dated at New Yorke this 10th day of December 1672.' 

" Stuyvesant Huys. Governor Stuyvesant's house or dwelling was built about four 
years before he surrendered his government to the English. It fronted the public wharf and 
stood on the west side of the present Whitehall-street, nearly opposite the commencement 
of the present Water-street. 

" The public wharf and harbor or dock, were built by the burgomasters of the city about 
the year 1658. Here vessels loaded and unloaded, and a wharfage duty was exacted at 
first of eight stivers per last. The harbor was constructed to accommodate vessels and 
yachts, in which, during winter, the barques stationed there might be secured against the 
floating ice ; for which large vessels paid annually ' one beaver, and smaller in proportion, 
to the city, to keep it in order.' This wharf and harbor are now a part of Whitehall-street, 
Whitehall slip having since been formed into the river. 

" i>e Waegh. The weigh, or balance. This was erected in 1653, by Governor Stuy. 
vesant, and the standard weight and measure kept in the balance-house, was according to 
those of the city of Amsterdam. To this standard merchants were obliged to conform, and 
to pay the eyck-meester for marking their weights and measures. Goods were here also» 
brought in bulk and weighed, before they were stored in the public store-houses. 

" In front of the City-Hall were also the stocks and whipping-post. The ducking-stool, 
or rather cucking-stool, was not yet erected, notwithstanding the Lutheran minister in 1673 
pleaded in bar to a public prosecution against him for striking a female that she ' provoked 
him to it by scolding.' The Dutch had the credit of introducing the wooden-horse, but the 
cucking-stool was reserved for the superior ingenuity of the English, who deriving a sanc- 
tion for their want of gallantry from the immemorial authority of their Common Law, or- 
dered in February, 1692, ' at a meeting of a grand Committee of the Common Council, a 
pillory, cage and ducking-stool to be forthwith built.' " 

The following relation from Knickerbocker's New York, of the 
manners and customs of the early Dutch inhabitants of this city, al- 
though humorously exaggerated, is by no means devoid of historical 
truth. 



NEW YORK COUNTY. 291 

" I will not grieve their patience, however, by describing minutely the increase and im. 
provement of New Amsterdam. Their own imaginations will doubtless present to them 
the good burghers, like so many pains-taking and persevering beavers, slowly and surely 
pursuing their labors — they will behold the prosperous transformation from the rude log.hut 
to the stately Dutch mansion, with brick front, glazed windows, and tiled roof — from the 
tangled thicket to the luxuriant cabbage garden ; and from the skulking Indian to the pon. 
derous burgomaster. In a word, they will picture to themselves the steady, silent, and un- 
deviating march to prosperity, incident to a city destitute of pride or ambition, cherished by 
a fat government, and whose citizens do nothing in a hurry. 

" The sage council, as has been mentioned in a preceding chapter, not being able to de. 
termine upon any plan for the building of their city — the cows, in a laudable fit of patriot. 
ism, took it under their peculiar charge, and as they went to and from pasture, established 
paths through the bushes, on each side of which the good folks built their houses ; which 
is one cause of the rambling and picturesque turns and labyrinths, which distinguish certain 
streets of New York at this very day. 

" The houses of the higher class were generally constructed of wood, excepting the gable 
end, which was of small black and yellow Dutch bricks, and always faced on the street, as 
our ancestors, like their descendants, were very much given to outward show, and were 
noted for putting the best leg foremost. The house was always furnished with abundance 
of large doors and small windows on every floor ; the date of its erection was curiously 
designated by iron figures on the front, and on the top of the roof was perched a fierce 
little weathercock, to let the family into the important secret, which way the wind blew. 
These, like the weathercocks on the tops of our steeples, pointed so many different ways, 
that every man could have a wind to his mind ; — the most stanch and loyal citizens, how- 
ever, always went according to the weathercock on the top of the governor's house, which 
was certainly the most correct, as he had a trusty servant employed every morning to climb 
up and set it to the right quarter. 

" In those good days of simplicity and sunshine, a passion for cleanliness was the leading 
principle in domestic economy, and the universal test of an able housewife, — a character 
which formed the utmost ambition of our unenlightened grandmothers. The front door 
was never opened except on marriages, funerals, new year's days, the festival of St. Nich- 
olas, or some such great occasion. It was ornamented with a gorgeous brass knocker, 
curiously wrought, sometimes in the device of a dog, and sometimes of a hon's head, and 
was daily burnished with such religious zeal, that it was ofttimes worn out by the very 
precautions taken for its preservation. The whole house was constantly in a state of inun- 
dation, under the discipline of mops and brooms and scrubbing brushes ; and the good 
housewives of those days were a kind of amphibious animal, delighting exceedingly to be 
dabbling in water — insomuch than an historian of the day gravely tells us, that many of his 
townswomen grew to have webbed fingers like unto a duck ; and some of them, he had 
little doubt, could the matter be examined into, would be found to have the tails of mer- 
maids — but this I look upon to be a mere sport of fancy, or what is worse, a wilful misrep- 
resentation. 

" The grand parlor was the sanctum sanctorum, where the passion for cleaning was 
indulged without control. In this sacred apartment no one was permitted to enter, except, 
ing the mistress and her confidential maid, who visited it once a week, for the purpose of 
giving it a thorough cleaning, and putting things to rights — always taking the precaution of 
leaving their shoes at the door, and entering devoutly on their stocking feet. After scrub- 
bing the floor, sprinkling it with fine white sand, which was curiously stroked into angles, 
and curves, and rhomboids with a broom — after washing the windows, rubbing and polish- 
ing the furniture, and putting a new bunch of evergreens in the fireplace — the window 
shutters were again closed to keep out the flies, and the room carefully locked up until the 
revolution of time brought round the weekly cleaning day. 

•' As to the family, they always entered in at the gate, and most generally lived in the 
kitchen. To have seen a numerous household assembled around the fire, one would have 
imagined that he was transported back to those happy days of primeval simplicity, which 
float before our imaginations like golden visions. The fireplaces were of a truly patriarchal 
magnitude, where the whole family, old and young, master and servant, black and white, 
nay, even the very cat and dog, enjoyed a community of privilege, and had each a right to 
a corner. Here the old burgher would sit in perfect silence, puffing his pipe, looking in 
the fire with half-shut eyes, and thinking of nothing for hours together ; the goede vrouw 
on the opposite side would employ herself diligently in spinning yarn, or knitting stockings. 
The young folks would crowd around the hearth, listening with breathless attention to 
some old crone of a negro, who was the oracle of the family, and who, perched like a raven 
in a corner of the chminey, would croak forth for a long winter afternoon a string of in- 



292 NKVV YORK COLNTY. 

credible stories about New England witches — grisly ghosts — horses without heads — and 
hairbreadth escapes and bloody encounters among the Indians. 

" In those happy days a well-regulated family always rose with the dawn, dined at eleven, 
and went to bed at sundown. Dinner was invariably a private meal, and the fat old 
burghers showed incontcstible symptoms of disapprobation and uneasiness at being surprised 
by a visit from a neighbor on such occasions. But though our worthy ancestors were thus 
singularly averse to giving dinners, yet they kept up the social bands of intimacy by coca. 
sional banquetings, called tea parties. 

" These fashionable parties were generally confined to the higher classes, or noblesse, that 
is to say, such as kept their own cows, and drove their own wagons. The company com- 
monly assembled at three o'clock, and went away about six, unless it was in winter time, 
when the fashionable hours were a little earlier, that the ladies might get home before dark. 
The tea table was crowned with a huge earthen dish, well stored with slices of fat pork, 
fried brown, cut up into morsels, and swinuiiing in gravy. The company being seated 
around the genial board, and each furnished with a fork, evinced their dexterity in launch, 
ing at the fattest pieces in this mighty dish — in much die same manner as sailors harpoon 
porpoises at sea, or our Indians spear salmon in the lakes. Sometimes the table was graced 
with immense apple pies, or saucers full of preserved peaches and pears ; but it was always 
sure to boast an enormous dish of balls of sweetened dough, fried in hog's fat, and called 
doughnuts, or oly koeks — a delicious kind of cake, at present scarce known in this city, 
excepting in genuine Dutch families. 

" The tea was served out of a majestic delft teapot, ornamented 
with paintings of fat Uttle Dutcii shepherds and shepherdesses tending 
pigs — with boats sailing in the air, and houses built in the clouds, 
and sundry other ingenious Dutch fantasies. The beaux distinguish- 
ed themselves by their adroitness in replenishing this pot from a huge 
copper tea-kettle, which would have made the pigmy macaronies of 
these degenerate days sweat merely to look at it. To sweeten the 
beverage, a lump of sugar was laid beside each cup — and the com- 
pany alternately nibbled and sipped with great decorum, until an 
improvement was introduced by a shrewd and economic old lady, 
which was to suspend a large lump directly over the tea table, by a 
string from the ceiling, so that it could be swung from mouth to 
mouth — an ingenious expedient, which is still Jvcpt up by some fami- 
lies in Albany ; but which prevails without exception in Communi- 
paw, Bergen, Flat Bush, and all our uncontaminated Dutch villages. 

" At these primitive tea parties the utmost propriety and dignity of 
deportment prevailed. No flirting nor coquetting — no gambolling of 
old ladies nor hoyden chattering and romping of young ones — no 
self-satisfied struttings of wealthy gentlemen, with their brains in 
their pockets — nor amusing conceits, and monkey divertisements, of 
smart young gentlemen, with no brains at all. On the contrary, the 
young ladies seated themselves demurely in their rush-bottomed 
chairs, and knit their own woollen stockings ; nor ever opened their 
lips, excepting to say, yah Mynher, or yah ya Vrouw, to any question 
that was asked them ; behaving, in all things, like decent, well-edu- 
cated damsels. As to the gentlemen, each of them tranquilly smoked 
his pipe, and seemed lost in contemplation of the blue and white tiles 
with which the fireplaces were decorated ; wherein sundry passages 
of scripture were piously portrayed — Tobit and his dog figured to 

freat advantage ; Haman swung conspicuously on his gibbet, and 
onah appeared most manfully bouncing out of the whale, like Har* 
lequin through a barrel of fire. 



NEW YOKK COUNTY. " 293 

" The parties broke up without noise and without confusion. They 
were carried home by their own carriages, that is to say, by the ve- 
hicles nature had provided them, excepting such of the wealthy as 
could afford to keep a wagon. The gentlemen gallantly attended 
their fair ones to their respective abodes, and took leave of them with 
a hearty smack at the door ; which, as it was an established piece of 
etiquette, done in perfect simplicity and honesty of heart, occasioned 
no scandal at that time, nor should it at the present — if our great 
grandfathers approved of the custom, it would argue a great want of 
reverence in their descendants to say a word against it. 

" In this dulcet period of my history, when the beauteous island of 
Manna-hatta presented a scene, the very counterpart of those glowing 
pictures drawn of the golden reign of Saturn, there was, as I have 
before observed, a happy ignorance, an honest simplicity prevalent 
among its inhabitants, which, were I even able to depict, would be but 
little understood by the degenerate age for which I am doomed to 
write. Even the female sex, those arch innovators upon the tranquil- 
lity, the honesty, and greybeard customs of societ)^, seemed for a 
while to conduct themselves with incredible sobriety and comeliness. 

" Their hair, untortured by the abominations of art, was scrupu- 
lously pomatomed back from their foreheads with a candle, and cov- 
ered with a little cap of quilted calico, which fitted exactly to their 
heads. Their petticoats of linsey woolsey were striped with a va- 
riety of gorgeous dyes — though I must confess these gallant garments 
were rather short, scarce reaching below the knee ; but then they 
made up in the number, which generally equalled that of the gentle- 
men's small-clothes ; and what is still more praiseworthy, they were 
all of their own manufacture — of which circumstance, as may well 
be supposed, they were not a little vain. 

" These were the honest days, in which every woman staid at home 
read the Bible, and wore pockets — ay, and that too of a goodly size, 
fashioned with patch-work into many curious devices, and ostenta- 
tiously worn on the outside. These, in fact, were convenient recep- 
tacles, where all good housewives carefully stoi'ed away such things 
as they wished to have at hand ; by which means they often came 
to be incredibly crammed — and I remember there was a story cur- 
rent when I was a boy, that the lady of Wouter Van Twiller once 
had occasion to empty her right pocket in search of a wooden ladle, 
and the utensil was discovered lying among some rubbish in one cor- 
ner — but we must not give too much faith to all these stories ; the 
anecdotes of those remote periods being very subject to exaggera- 
tion. 

" Besides these notable pockets, they likewise wore scissors and 
pincushions suspended from their girdles by red ribands, or among 
the more opulent and showy classes, by brass, and even silver chains 
— indubitable tokens of thrifty housewives and industrious spinsters. 
I cannot say much in vindication of the shortness of the petticoats ; 
it doubtless was introduced for the purpose of giving the stockings a 
chance to be seen, which were generally of blue worsted with mag- 



294 • NEW YORK COUNTY. 

nificent red clocks — or perhaps to display a well-turned ankle, and 
a neat, though serviceable, foot, set off by a high-heeled leathern 
shoe, with a large and splendid silver buckle. Thus we find that 
the gentle sex in all ages have shown the same disposition to infringe 
a little upon the laws of decorum, in order to betray a lurking beauty, 
or gratify an innocent love of finery. 

" From the sketch here given, it will be seen that our good grandmothers differed consid- 
erably in their ideas of a fine figure fi-om their scantily dressed descendants of the present 
day. A fine lady, in those times, waddled under more clothes, even on a fair summer's 
day, than would have clad the whole bevy of a modern ball-room. Nor were ihey the less 
admired by the gentlemen in consequence thereof. On the contrary, the greatness of a 
lover's passion seemed to increase in proportion to the magnitude of its object — and a vo. 
luminous damsel, arrayed in a dozen of petticoats, was declared by a Low Dutch sonnetteer 
of the province to be radiant as a sunflower, and luxuriant as a full blown cabbage. Cer- 
tain it is, that in those days, the heart of a lover could not contain more than one lady at a 
time ; whereas the heart of a modern gallant has often room enough to accommodate half 
a dozen. The reason of which I conclude to be, that either the hearts of the gentlemen 
have grown larger, or the persons of the ladies smaller — this, however, is a question for 
physiologists to determine. 

" But there was a secret charm in these petticoats, which no doubt entered into the con- 
sideration of the prudent gallants. The wardrobe of a lady was in those days her only for- 
tune ; and she who had a good stock of petticoats and stockings, was as absolutely an 
heiress as is a Karnschatka damsel with a store of bear skins, or a Lapland belle with a 
plenty of reindeer. The ladies, therefore, were very anxious to display these powerful 
attractions to the greatest advantage ; and the best rooms in the house, instead of being 
adorned with caricatures of dame nature, in water colors and needle-work, were always 
hung round with abundance of homespun garments, the manufacture and the property of 
the females — a piece of laudable ostentation that still prevails among the heiresses of our 
Dutch villages. 

" The gentlemen, in fact, who figured in the circles of the gay world in these ancient 
times, corresponded, in most particulars, with the beauteous damsels whose smiles they 
were ambitious to deserve. True it is, their merits would make but a very inconsiderable 
impression upon the heart of a modern fair ; they neither drove their curricles nor sported 
their tandems, for as yet those gaudy vehicles were not even dreamt of — neither did they 
distinguish themselves by their brilliancy at the table, and their consequent rencontres with 
watchmen, for our forefathers were of too pacific a disposition to need those guardians of 
the night, every soul throughout the town being sound asleep before nine o'clock. Neither 
did they establish their claims to gentility at the expense of their tailors — for as yet those 
offenders against the pockets of society, and the tranquillity of all aspiring young gentle- 
men, were unknown in New Amsterdam ; every good housewife made the clothes of her 
husband and family, and even the goede vrouw of Van Twiller himself thought it no dis- 
paragement to cut out her husband's linsey woolsey galligaskins. 

"Not but what there were some two or three youngsters who manifested the first dawn- 
ings of what is called fire and spirit. Who held all labor in contempt ; skulked about docks 
and market places ; loitered in the sunshine ; squandered what little money they could pro- 
cure at hustle-cap and chuck-farthing, swore, boxed, fought cocks, and raced their neigh- 
bor's horses — in short, who promised to be the wonder, the talk, and abomination of the 
town, had not their stylish career been unfortunately cut short by an affair of honor with a 
whipping-post. 

" Far other, however, was the truly fashionable gentleman of those days — his dress, 
which served for both morning and evening, street and drawing-room, was a linsey wool- 
sey coat, made, perhaps, by the fair hands of the mistress of his affections, and gallantly 
bedecked with abundance of large brass buttons. — Haifa score of breeches heightened the 
proportions of his figure — his shoes were decorated by enormous copper buckles — a low. 
crowned broad-brimmed hat overshadowed his burly visage, and his hair dangled down 
his back in a prodigious queue of eel skin. 

" Thus equipped, he would manfully sally forth with pipe in mouth to besiege some fair 
damsel's obdurate heart — not such a pipe, good reader, as that which Acisdid sweetly tune 
in praise of his Galatea, but of one of true delft manufacture, and furnished with a charge 
of fragrant tobacco. With this would he resolutely set himself down before the fortress, 
and rarely failed, in the process of time, to smoke the fair enemy into a surrender, upon 
honorable terms. 



NEW YORK COUNTY. 295 

" Such was the happy reign of Wouter Van Twiller, celebrated in many a long-forgotten 
song as the real golden age, the rest being nothing but counterfeit copper-washed coin. In 
that delightful period, a sweet and holy calm reigned over the whole province. The bur- 
gomaster smoked his pipe in peace — the substantial solace of his domestic cares, after her 
daily toils were done, sat soberly at the door, with her arms crossed over her apron of 
snowy white, without being insulted by ribald street walkers or vagabond boys — those 
unlucky urchins, who do so infest our streets, displaying under the roses of youth the 
thorns and briers of iniquity. Then it was that the lover with ten breeches, and the dam- 
sel with petticoats of half a score, indulged in all the innocent endeannents of virtuous love 
without fear and without reproach ; for what had that virtue to fear, which was defended 
by a shield of good linsey woolseys, equal at least to the seven bull hides of the invincible 
Ajax. 

" Ah, bhssful, and never to be forgotten age ! when every thing was better than it has 
ever been since, or ever will be again — when Buttermilk Channel* was quite dry at low 
water — when the shad in the Hudson were all salmon, and when the moon shone with a 
pure and resplendent whiteness, instead of that melancholy yellow light which is the conse. 
quence of her sickening at the abominations she every night witnesses in this degenerate 
city! 

" Happy would it have been for New Amsterdam could it always have existed in this 
state of blissful ignorance and lowly simplicity ; but alas ! the days of childhood are too 
sweet to last ! Cities, like men, grow out of them in time, and are doomed alike to grow 
into the bustle, the cares, and miseries of the world. Let no man congratulate himself, 
when he beholds the child of his bosom or the city of his birth increasing in magnitude and 
importance — let the history of his own life teach him the dangers of the one, and this ex- 
cellent little history of Mannahatta convince him of the calamities of the other." 



THE NEGRO PLOT. 

The celebrated Negro Plot, 1741, occurred when there were about ten thousand inhabi- 
tants in this city, of which one sixth part were negro slaves. 

•' After a lapse of a century, we look back with astonishment on the panic occasioned by 
the Negro Plot, and the rancorous hatred that prevailed here against the Roman Catholics. 
To judge from tradition, and the journal of the proceedings against the conspirators, no 
doubt can be had of the actual existence of a plot ; but its extent could never have been so 
great as the terror of those times depicted. The very mode adopted to discover abettors 
by mutual criminations and confessions, tended in the progress of the trials to inculpate 
every negro slave in the city. We accordingly find, that the number of conspirators daily 
increased. As it was impossible to prove all equally guilty, the ringleaders only were ex- 
ecuted ; and those who, to save their Hves, plead guilty, and threw themselves on the mercy 
of the court, were transported. 

" Insurrections and conspiracies were at this juncture frequent in the West India islands, 
and great apprehensions were entertained of an invasion by the French and Spaniards. 
These circumstances aggravated the horror of a domestic plot to such a degree, that the 
white inhabitants, regarding every negro slave as an incendiary and an assassin, carried 
their apprehensions and resentment beyond all bounds. 

" A holy hatred of the Roman Catholics was at that period inculcated by church and 
state. Our Dutch forefathers, glowing with all the zeal of the early reformers, emigrated 
to this country shortly after the emancipation of the United Netherlands from the Spanish 
yoke, and fostered all the rancor of their race against Papists and Spaniards. It was the 
policy of the English government, after the conquest, to cherish this animosity, and those 
of our readers who were born and educated before the American revolution, will recollect 
how religiously they were taught to abhor the Pope, Devil, and Pretender. The act of our 
Provincial Assembly, against Jesuits and Papist priests, passed 2d William and Mary, and 
which continued in full force until our independence, was owing, not only to these preju- 
dices, but to the exposed situation of the colony, the northern frontier of which was bounded 
by Canada, at that time in possession of France, the natural and ever-daring enemy to Eng- 
land. The intolerant spirit of this act shows the horror and detestation in which the Roman 
Catholics were held, and will account why so few of this profession existed in this city and 
colony before the revolution. 

* In olden times the channel was but a little creek which separated the mainland from 
Governors Island. 



296 NEW YORK COUNTY. 

" In estimating this singular event in our colonial history, the circumstances of ihc times 
should be duly considered, before we too hastily condemn the bigotry and cruelty ot' our 
predecessors. The advantages of a liberal, indeed of the plainest education, was the happy 
lot of very few. Intercourse between the colonies and the mother country, and between 
province and province, was very rare. Ignorance and illiberal prejudices universally pre- 
vailed. Their more favored and enlightened posterity will therefore draw a veil of filial 
affection over the involuntary errors of their forefathers, and emulating their simple virtues, 
endeavor to transmit a brighter example to their successors." — Hist, of Negro Plot, 8vo. 
New York, 1810. 

" The first suspicion of a plot among the negroes, and which subsequently led to a full 
investigation and discovery, was caused by frequent alarms of fire, and a robbery committed 
at a Mr. Hogg's, ' from whence were taken divers pieces of linen, and other goods, and 
several silver coins, chiefly Spanish, and medals, and wrought silver, &c., to the value, in 
the whole, of sixty pounds and upwards.' The scene of this famous robbery was in a house 
in Broad street. On Wednesday, the 18th March, 1740, about 1 o'clock, a fire broke out 
of the roof of His Majesty's house, at Fort George, within this city, near the chapel, on the 
east side, and the wind blowing a violent gale at southeast, it soon became impossible to stop 
its progress. The citizens and engines assembled promptly on the ringing of the chapel 
bell, and assisted in saving the records and papers in the office of the Secretary of State, 
over the fort gate, which fortunately were preserved, although in the hurry they were tossed 
out at the windows, and the papers blown and scattered. An alarm being given, the peo- 
ple were soon after fearful of an explosion, and stood aloof, although assured by the Gov- 
ernor that it was groundless. In one hour and a quarter, the Governor's house, and the 
venerable old Dutch Church, were thus consumed. A plumber had that morning been at 
work, with his pot of coals and soldering iron, to mend a leak in the gutter, between the 
house and the chapel, and the high wind had no doubt blown some sparks on the dry shin- 
gles, or under the eaves. On the 25th of March, a week after the fire at the fort, another 
broke out at the southwest end of the town, and on the 1st of April, another at the east 
end of the town, at Van Zandt's, corner of Burling's slip and Watcr-street. On the 4th of 
April, two other alarms were made, and fire discovered ; and on the 5th, being Sunday, 
Mr. Murray's haystack, standing near some stables and houses in Broadway, had some live 
coals put under it, which went out of themselves. On Monday, three more fires occurred, 
and the panic commenced. Many negroes were arrested, and the investigations were long 
and intricate. By the course of the evidence, it appeared that the city was destined to be 
fired, and the inhabitants massacred on coming out of the English Church in Broadway. 

" St. Patrick's night was selected to begin the bloody scene, and many Irish Catholics, 
lately arrived, enlisted in the gang, were even detected as being concerned. The negroes 
were led on by a villian named Hughson, at whose house they were freely entertained, 
and brought their stolen goods, and were sworn to secrecy. Ury, a priest, was also deeply 
concerned. 

" It is somewhat remarkable, that London has had its Popish Plot and fire ; Boston and 
Salem its delusions of witchcraft, and New York its Negro Plot: and there can be no doubt 
that some innocent persons were at those limes accused, and sufi'ered. 

" One hundred and fifty-four negroes, and twenty white persons, were committed to pri- 
son, of which fifty-five were convicted, and seventy-eight confessed. Thirteen negroes 
were burnt at the stake, at a place then out of town, but situated near the present in- 
tersection of Pearl and Chatham streets, where there formerly was a hollow place, as recol- 
lected by one of our oldest citizens, who was present at the execution, and declares that 
the horrible shrieks and cries of the miserable victims still dwell on his memory. Twenty 
were hung, (one in chains, ' on the island, by the powder-house,' where the Arsenal now 
is, in Elm street.) Seventy were transported to foreign parts, viz. Newfoundland, Madeira, 
Hispaniola, Cape Francois, Curra9oa, Surinam, &c., &c., and fifty were discharged. 

" Although the black population has increased from that period to the present, in this 
city, yet the proportion they 7iow bear to the whites is much less than at that time, being 
only one-twelfth part; then they were one-sixth." 

The following extracts are from newspapers published previous to 
and during the revolution : they will serve to throw light on the his- 
tory of the times. 

" New York, November 4, 1765. — The late extraordinary and unprecedented prepara- 
tions in Fort George, and the securing of the Stamped Paper in that garrison, having greatly 
alarmed and displrased the inhabitants of tliis city, a vast number of them assembled hist 
Friday evening in the commons, from whence they marched down the Fly, preceded by a 



NEW YORK COUNTY. 297 

number of lights, and having stopped a few minutes at the Coffee House, proceeded to the 

Fort Walls, where they broke open the stable of the L — t G r, took out his coach, and 

after carrying the same through the principal streets of the city, in triumph marched to the 
commons, where a gallows was erected ; on one end of wiiich was suspended the effigy of 
the person whose property the coach was. In his right hand he held a stamped Bill of 
Lading, and on his breast was afhxed a paper with the following inscription, ' The Rebel 
Drummer in the year 1715 :' at his back was affixed a drum, the badge of his profession ; 
at the other end of the gallows hung the figure of the devil, a proper companion for the 
other, as 'tis supposed it was entirely at his instigation he acted : after they had hung there 
a considerable time, they carried the effigies, with the gallows entire, being preceded by 
the coach, in a grand procession to the gate of the fort, where it remained for some lime, 
from whence it was removed to the Bowling Green, under the muzzles of the fort guns, 
where a bon-fire was immediately made, and the drummer, devil, and coach, &,c., were 
consumed amidst the acclamations of some thousand spectators, and we make no doubt, 

but the L — t G r, and his friends, had the mortification of viewing the whole proceed. 

ing from the ramparts of the fort : But the business of the night not being yet concluded, 
the whole body proceeded with the greatest decency and good order to Vauxhall, the house 

of M — r J s, who, it was reported, was a Inend to the Stamp Act, and had been over 

officious in his duty, from whence they took every individual article to a very considerable 
amount ; and having made another bon-fire, the whole was consumed in the flames, to the 
great satisfaction of every person present ; after which they dispersed, and every man went 
to his respective habitation. The whole affair was conducted with such decorum, that not 
the least accident happened. 

" The next evening another very considerable body assembled at the same place, having 

been informed that the L — t G r had qualified himself for the distribution of the Stamped 

paper, were determined to march to the fort, in order to insist upon his delivering into their 
hands, or to declare that he would not undertake to distribute the same ; but before this 

resolution could be executed, the minds of the people were eased by the L — t G r's 

sending the following declaration from the fort, viz : — 

"TT^HE Lieut. Governor declares he will do nothing in Relation to the Stamps, but leave 
-L it to Sir Henry Moore, to do as he pleases on his arrival. Council Chamber, New 

York, Nov. 2, 1765. By Order of His Honor. Ww. Banyar D. CI. Con. 

" ' We can assure the Gentlemen of the neighboring Provinces, That every Importer of 

European Goods in this City, have agreed not to Import any Goods from England next 

Spring, unless the Sugar Act, and the Oppressive and Unconstitutional Stamp Act are 

repealed.' " 



"New York, Jan. 8th, 1763. — Thursday next is appointed to celebrate the birth of the 
Prince of Wales, when there is to be a treble discharge of all the artillery in this place, and 
the evening is to be concluded with the play of the Fair Penitent, by the officers of the 
army, in a theatre built for that purpose." 



"New York, Dec. 13, 1765. — We are credibly informed that there were married last 
Sunday evening, by the Rev. Mr. Auchmuty, a very respectable couple, that had been pub- 
lished at three different times in Trinity church. A laudable example and worthy to be 
followed. If this decent, and for many reasons, proper method of publication was once 
generally to take place, we should hear no more of clandestine marriages, and save the ex- 
pense of licenses, no inconsiderable sum these hard and distressing times." 



"New York, March 13th, 1766. — Upon a supposition that the cannon upon the Batteiy 
in this city were spiked by order of Lieutenant-governor Colden, his effigy was exhibited 
last Thursday, sitting upon a piece of ordnance, properly mounted with a drill constructed 
in such a manner as to be continually working ; at his back hung a drum as a badge of his 
former profession : On his breast was fixed a paper on which were the following lines : 
' I'm deceived by the devil and left in the lurch ; 
And am forced to do penance, tho' not in the church.' 

" After it had appeared in the principal streets of the city attended by many thousand 
spectators, (although it rained great part of the time,) it was carried to the common, where 
a fire was immediately made, and the whole consumed by 5 o'clock in the afternoon, 

amidst the acclamations of the multitude, who dispersed directly thereafter The 

affair was conducted with such order and decorum, that no person sustained the least 
damage. 

38 



298 NEW YORK COUNTY. 

" N. B. The public are desired to take notice, that the cannon still remain spiked ; and 
it is expected that no further hint will be necessary." 



"New York, May Z, 1766. — The play advertised to be acted last Monday evening, 
having given offence to many of the inhabitants of this city, who thought it highly improper 
that such entertainments should be exhibited at this time of public distress, when great 
numbers of poor people can scarce find means of subsistence, whereby many persons might 
be tempted to neglect their business, and squander that money which is necessary to the 
payment of their debts and support of their families, a rumour was spread about the town 
on Monday, that if the play went on, the audience would meet with some disturbance from 
the multitude. This prevented the greatest part of those who intended to have been there 
from going ; however, many people came and the play was begun : but soon interrupted by 
the multitude, who burst open the doors, and entered with noise and tumult. The audi- 
ence escaped in the best manner they could ; many lost their hats and other parts of dress. 
A boy had his skull fractured, and was yesterday trepanned ; his recovery is doubtful : several 
others were dangerously hurt, but we heard of no lives lost. The multitude immediately 
demolished the house, carried the pieces to the common, where they consumed them in a 
bonfire." 



From the New York Gazette of August 3, 1769. 

" Extract of a letter to a gentleman in the city from a correspondent in the country, dated 
July 20, — ' Sir : As a sincere friend I give you a caution now to be particularly on your 
guard against the importation of English goods ; for I fear you will not get them sold at any 
rate, as it appears quite plain from this hint of facts, you may depend upon. Within these 
few weeks I happened to be present at several meetings of some towns here, when among 
other things, they took into their most serious consideration the affair of buving English 
goods from your merchants, and it was strongly reasoned thus : We have gone (said they) 
these several years past clearing new lands and raising grain only, and have foolishly neg- 
lected the raising of sheep and flax, because we vainly thought we could buy them cheaper 
at the stores than make them at our houses ; until now our cash is wholly carried to Eng- 
land for their fineries, and here it has got so scarce, that in a whole town one guinea is 
scarcely seen in a year's time : so that when a man goeth to buy any necessaries at a mer- 
chant's shop, instead of his purse, he must take a wagon load of grain, and sell it to the mer- 
chant's and take his English goods at whatever price he pleases to ask. 

" Wherefore they unanimously and firmly resolved, 1st. That for them to buy any more 
Scotch or English goods from merchants, was in fact a sure wicked way to qualify Britain 
tyrannically and inflexibly, from time to time to impose upon Americans whatsoever new 
laws, new admiralty courts, or bishop's courts they pleased, to take away our civil and re- 
ligious liberties piecemeal, until we and our posterity were finally enslaved as deep as any 
Spaniard or African. 

"2d. That therefore, whosoever of their town, durst presume to buy any more of said 
British goods, before the restoring of our liberty, should be held, reputed, deemed, and 
treated by all his neighbors as an open enemy to all the civil and religious interests of their 
country, &c. &-c. 

" I have heard that a great many towns, through the inland parts of this, and the other 
provinces, are beginning to be greatly alarmed with the fears of their new admiralty courts, 
and bishop's courts, &c., and therefore are forming resolves of the same nature. Now if 
you do in these circumstances import goods, you will be ruined. Look round and see 
how many merchants have been sent to jail, and their families ruined by importing English 
goods, and not getting them sold to any advantage. Yours, &c." 



From the New York Gazette, March 29, 1770. 
"Last Saturday night about 11 o'clock, 14 or 15 soldiers were seen about the liberty, 
pole in this city, which one of them had ascended, with an intent to take off and carry 
away the topmast and vane ; as soon as they were discovered, five or six young men who 
were accidentally crossing the green at that time made up towards the pole, to see what 
they were about, but they were immediately attacked and driven off the green by the sol- 
diers ; who, finding that they were discovered, and being apprehensive that the inhabitants 
would be alarmed, they made off. Soon after some persons went into town and acquainted 
their friends with the proceedings of the soldiers, upon which 14 or 15 persons came up to 
the green, and going to the pole were there surrounded by 40 or 50 soldiers, with their cut- 



NEW YORK COUNTY 299 

lasses drawn ; upon which 4 or 5 of them retreated to the house of Mr. Bicker, and were 
followed by part of the soldiers, who immediately called out for the soldiers from the bar- 
racks ; upon which they were joined by a very considerable body who came over the bar- 
rack fence. Mr. Bicker seeing himself and family in danger, and exposed to the insults of 
a licentious and brutal soldiery, stood with his bayonet fixed, determined to defend himself 
to the last extremity, and declared that he would shoot the first man that should attempt to 
enter ; they several times attempted to force the under door, the uppei door being open, 
which Mr. Bicker kept shut by fixing the point of his bayonet against it, while ihey kept 
cutting and hacking the barrel of his gun, in attempting to cut him down with their cut- 
lasses, — but he soon after got the upper door shut and barred ; upon which they strove to 
break open the front windows, which were also shut, one of which they forced open, broke 
the panes of glass, and cut ail the frame to pieces, in order to get into the house. Some 
people who were in the house seeing the imminent danger to which Mr. Bicker and his 
family were exposed, got out the back way and ran to alarm the citizens. The chapel bell 
was immediately rung, upon the hearing of which, the soldiers retreated precipitately. A 
number of the citizens were up all night and under arms, which probably prevented any 
mischief being done, as they repeatedly swore that they would set fire to the house, and 
burn or destroy every person in it. Col. Robertson, the commanding ofiicer of the regi- 
ment, repaired to the barracks, as soon as he had notice of the disturbance ; he immediately 
ordered the centinels to be confined, and remained up all night to prevent any further mis- 
chief being done ; and as a number of inhabitants nightly guarded the pole, till the Trans- 
ports with the soldiers were sailed, they were disappointed in eftecting their designs 
against it, although they positively swore that they would carry off some part of it with them." 



From the same, JDeceinber 24, 1767 
" To be disposed of — the remaining time, being about three years, of three German ser- 
vants, one a baker by trade, one a butcher, and the other a laborer. They are very in- 
dustrious good men, whose honesty has been tried, and may be had on reasonable terms. 
Inquire of the printer hereof." 



" Last Thursday being the anniversary of His Majesty's birth-day, when he entered his 
30th year, the same was observed here with great solemnity. About 11 o'clock the de- 
tachment of the train, with the 17th and 46th regiments, were paraded on the battery, and 
marched in order by, and saluted his Excellency, General Gage ; at the same time his Ex- 
cellency, Sir Henry Moore, the members of His Majesty's council for this province, his 
worship the mayor, and the rest of the corporation, and most of the other gentlemen of 
the city, were assembled in Fort George, where his Majesty's and many other loyal healths 
were drank, under the discharge of a Royal Salute from the Fort, which was immediately 
followed by a salute of 21 guns from the Liberty Pole, on which was suspended a Union ; 
these were answered by three vollies from the troops, five of His Majesty's ships, and many 
other vessels in our harbor, which with their colors displayed made a very grand and beautiful 
appearance ; the two regiments then returned to their barracks and the train to the Green, 
and there grounded their arms. Elegant entertainments were given at Fort George, and 
Head Quarters, by their Excellencies Sir Henry Moore and General Gage, at which were 
present all the gentlemen of the army and navy, and most of the principal gentlemen of 
this place. In the evening the most magnificent fire-works ever seen m America were 
played off before a very great number of spectators. Over the gate of Fort George a 
number of lamps were disposed in such a manner as to represent a Regal Crown with a 
Laurel Tree on each side, and before the door of his Excellency Gen. Gage, was exhib- 
ited, by lamps properly placed, a large and elegant appearance of the Royal Arms ; there 
being a general illumination throughout the city. The fire- works were conducted in such 
a manner as showed great skill and judgment in the projectors and operators, every part be- 
ing played off with the greatest ease imaginable, in the following order, viz : — 

First Set. — Two signal rockets, royal salutes of 21 marons, 12 sky rockets, a single 
vertical wheel, a Chinese fountain, a line rocket of three changes and a swarm box, 2 
gerbs, 2 air balloons of crackers and serpents, a Chinese piece with a horizontal wheel, a 
yew tree with a brilliant fire, a nest of serpents. 

" Second Set. — Two signal rockets, a salute of 19 marons, 12 sky rockets, a double 
vertical wheel, an illuminated globe, a fire tree and swarm box, 2 air balloons with crack, 
ers and stars, 3 fixed pieces with double vertical wheels, a range of fountains, a yew tree of 
brilliant fire, 2 nests of serpents. 

" Third Set. — Two signal rockets, a salute of 17 marons, 12 sky rockets, 2 signal ver- 



300 NEW YORK COUNTY. 

fical wheels, a cascade of brilliant fire, a line rocket of three changes and swarm box, a 
range of fountains, two air balloons with serpents and stars, a Chinese piece with a hori- 
zontal wheel, an illuminated yew tree, a star with brilliant rays and glory. Conclusion. — 
A flight of rockets." 



From the same, January 29<A, 1767. 
" Wednesday last several gentlemen arrived here from Quebec, in Canada, in 12 days. 
They came over the mountains on snow-shoes to Crown Point, a»d from thence down 
Lake George on the ice. The river St. Lawrence was not frozen over at Quebec when 
they came away ; and we are told in the hardest weather it seldom is frozen there before 
the month of February." 



"New York, May 7, 1772. — On Saturday last Mr. Montanny's negro man who had mis- 
behaved, and was a remarkable drunkard, was sent to Bridewell, and underwent the usual 
discipline of the house for such offences, viz. a plentiful dose of warm water and salt to op- 
erate as an emetic, and of lamp oyl as a purge, in proportion to the constitution of the pa. 
tient. Of these he took about 3 quin-ts of the one, and 2^ spoonfuls of the other, also a 
gill of Neiv England rum, which operated very powerfully, attended with a violent sick- 
ness which obliged him to lye down, and between 8 and 9 at night he was discovered to be 
dead. He had been drunk three times that day before he was brought to Bridewell, and 
was not sober when the discipline began. Several physicians and surgeons attended, the 
body of the negro was opened and no marks of violence external or internal appeared : the 
coroner's inquest brought in their verdict that he died of excessive drinking, co-operating 
with the effects of the medicine he had taken. But that Mr. Dobbs, (the operator,) was 
innocent of his death." 



" New York, December 24, 1773. — His Excellency the Governor having sent to White, 
head Hicks, Esq., Mayor of this city, the sum of two hundred pounds, which he most mu. 
nificently ordered to be applied in relieving the properest objects of distress confined in the 
city gaol. We have the pleasure to inform the public that near thirty persons have been 
entirely released from imprisonment, and those whose debts were too large to be cleared by 
this gracious bounty have had a very comfortable provision made in wood, &c., to carry 
them through the winter." 

" We hear from Dutchess County that the High Sheriff, having received the sum of fifty 
pounds from his Excellency Governor Tryon, to be distributed for the relief of debtors 
confined in his gaol, has applied that money in the manner prescribed, and cheered many 
indigent men whose misfortunes had reduced them to melancholy durance. The gratitude 
of these unhappy persons on this gracious attention to them cannot be described." 

By His Excellency William Cosby, Esq., Captain General and Governour in Chief of the 
Provinces of New York, New Jersey, and Territories thereon depending, in America, 
Vice Admiral of the same, and Colonel in His Majesty's Army, &-c. 

To any Protestant Minister. 
Whereas there is a Mutual Purpose of Marriage between Jacob Glenn, of the City of 
Albany, Merchant, of the One Party, and Elizabeth Cuyler of the same City, Spinster, of 
the other party, for which they have desired my Licence, and have given Bond upon Condi- 
tions, That neither of them have any Lawful Let or Impediment of Pre-Contract, Affinity 
or Consanguinity to hinder their being joyned in the Holy Bands of Matrimony : these are 
therefore, to Aulhorize and Impower you to Joyn the said Jacob Glenn and Elizabeth Cuy- 
ler in the Holy Bands of Matrimony, and them to Pronounce Man and Wife. 
Given under my Hand and Perogative Seal, at Port George, in New York, the Sixteenth 
Day of October, in the Sixth Year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord GEORGE the 
Second, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France and Ireland, KING, Defender 
of the Faith. Annoq : Domini 1732. 

W. COSBY. 
HENDK. MORRIS, D. Secry. 



From the Connecticut Journal, Nov. 20, 1775. 
" On the 20th of this month sixteen respectable inhabitants of this town, (New Haven,) 
in company with Capt. Sears, set out from this place for East and West Chester, in the 
Province of New York, to disarm the principal tories there, and secure the persons or Par- 



NEW YORK COUNTY. 301 

son Seabury, Judge Fowler, and Lord Underbill. On their way thither they were joined 
by Captains Scillick, Richards, and Mead, with about 80 men. At Marrineck they burnt 
a small sloop, which was purchased by government for the purpose of carrying provisions 
on board the Asia. At East Chester they seized Judge Fowler, and then repaired to West 
Chester and secured Seabury and Underbill. Having possessed themselves of these caitiffs, 
they sent them to Connecticut under a strong guard. The main body, consisting of 75, then 
proceeded to New York, which they entered at noon-day on horseback, with bayonets 
fixed, in the greatest regularity went down the main street, and drew up in close order be- 
fore the printing office of the infamous James RIVINGTON. A small detachment enter- 
ed it, and in about three quarters of an hour brought off the principal part of his types, for 
which they offered to give an order on Lord Dunmore. They then faced and wheeled to 
the left and marched out of the town to the tune of YANKEE DOODLE. A vast con- 
course of people assembled at the coffee-house bridge, on their leaving the ground, gave 
them three hearty cheers. 

" On their way home, they disarmed all the tories that lay on their route, and yesterday ar- 
rived here escorted by great number of gentlemen from the westward, the whole making a 
very grand procession. Upon their entrance into town they were saluted with the discharge 
of two cannon, and received by the inhabitants with every mark of approbation and re. 
spect. The company divided into two parties, and concluded :he day in festivity and inno- 
cent mirih. Captain Sears returned in company with the other gentlemen, and proposed 
to spend the winter here unless public business should requiio his presence in New York. 
Seabury, Underbill, and Fowler, three of the dastardly protesters against the proceedings 
of the Continental Congress, and who it is believed had concerted a plan for kidnapping 
Capt. Sears, and conveying him on board of the Asia rnan-of-war, are (with the types and 
arms) safely lodged in this town : where it is expected Lord Underbill will have leisure to 
form the scheme of a lucrative lottery, the tickets of which cannot be counterfeited ; and 
Parson Seabury sufficient time and opportunity to compose sermons fa the next Continent- 
al Fast." 



After the Americans were defeated on Long Island, August 26, 
1776, New York fell into the hands of the British troops, who kept 
possession of it during the revolutionary war. The annexed account 
of the military movements on New York island is from Colonel 
Humphrey's Life of General Putnam. 

" The unfortunate battle of Long Island, the masterly retreat from 
thence, and the actual passage of part of the hostile fleet in the East 
river, above the town, preceded the evacuation of New^ York. A 
promotion of four major-generals, and six brigadiers, had previously 
been made by congress. After the retreat from Long Island, the 
main army, consisting, for the moment, of sixty battalions, of which 
twenty were continental, the residue levies and militia, was, conform- 
ably to the exigencies of the service, rather than to the rules of war, 
formed into fourteen brigades. Major-general Putnam commanded 
the right grand division of five brigades, the Majors-general Spencer 
and Greene the centre of six brigades, and Major-general Heath the 
left, which was posted near Kingsbridge, and composed of two 
brigades. The whole never amounted to twenty thousand effective 
men ; while the British and German forces, under Sir William Howe, 
exceeded twenty-two thousand ; indeed, the minister had asserted in 
parliament that they would consist of more than thirty thousand. 
Our two centre divisions, both commanded by General Spencer, in 
the sickness of General Greene, moved towards Mount Washington, 
Harlaem heights, and Horn's hook, as soon as the final resolution 
was taken in a council of war, on the 12th of September, to abandon 
the city. That event, thus circumstanced, took eiFect a few days 
after. 



302 NEW YORK COUNTY. 

" On Sunday, the 15th, the British, after sending three ships of war 
up the North river, to Bloomingdale, and keeping up, for some hours, 
a severe cannonade on our lines, from those ah'eady in the East river, 
landed in force at Turtle bay. Our new levies, commanded by a 
state brigadier-general, fled without making resistance. Two bri- 
gades of General Putnam's division, ordered to their support, notwith- 
standing the exertion of their brigadiers, and of the commander-in- 
chief himself who came up at the instant, conducted themselves in 
the same shameful manner. His excellency then ordered the heights 
of Harlaem, a strong position, to be occupied. Thither the forces in 
the vicinity, as well as the fugitives, repaired. In the mean time, 
General Putnam, with the remainder of his command, and the ordi- 
nary outposts, was in the city. After having caused the brigades to 
begin their retreat by the route of Bloomingdale, in order to avoid 
tlie enemy, who were then in the possession of the main road leading 
to Kingsbridge, he galloped to call off the pickets and guards. 
Having myself been a volunteer in his division, and acting adjutant to 
the last regiment that left the city, I had frequent opportunities, that 
day, of beholding him, for the purpose of issuing orders, and encour- 
aging the troops, flying, on his horse covered with foam, wherever 
his presence was most necessary. Without his extraordinary exer- 
tions, the guards must have been inevitably lost, and it is probable 
the entire corps would have been cut in pieces. When we were not 
far from Bloomingdale, an aid-de-camp came from him at full speed, 
to inform that a column of British infantry was descending upon our 
right. Our rear was soon fired upon, and the colonel of our regiment, 
whose order was just communicated for the front to file off' to the 
left, was killed on the spot. With no other loss we joined the army, 
after dark, on the heights of Harlaem. 

" Before our brigades came in, we were given up for lost by all our 
friends. So critical indeed was our situation, and so narrow the gap 
by which we escaped, that the instant we had passed, the enemy 
closed it by extending their line from river to river. Our men, who 
had been fifteen hours under arms, harassed by marching and coun- 
termarching, in consequence of incessant alarms, exhausted as they 
were by heat and thirst, (for the day proved insupportabiy hot, and 
few or none had canteens, insomuch, that some died at the brooks 
where they drank,) if attacked, could have made but feeble resistance. 

"... That night our soldiers, excessively fatigued by the sultry 
march of the day, their clothes wet by a severe shower of rain that 
succeeded towards the evening, their blood chilled by the cold wind 
that produced a sudden change in the temperature of the air, and 
their hearts sunk within them by the loss of baggage, artillery, and 
works in which they had been taught to put great confidence, lay 
upon their arms, covered only by the clouds of an uncomfortable sky. 

"... Next morning several parties of the enemy appeared upon 
the plains in our front. On receiving this intelligence. General Wash- 
ington rode quickly to the outposts, for the purpose of preparing 
against an attack, if the enemy should advance with that design. 



NEW YORK COUNTY. 303 

Lieutenant-colonel Knowlton's rangers, a fine selection from the 
eastern regiments, who had been skirmishing with an advanced par- 
ty, came in, and informed the general that a body of British were 
under cover of a small eminence at no considerable distance. His 
excellency, willing to raise our men from their dejection by the splen- 
dor of some little success, ordered Lieutenant-colonel Knowlton, with 
his rangers, and Major Leitch, with three companies of Weedon's 
regiment of Virginians, to gain their rear ; while appearances should 
be made of an attack in front. As soon as the enemy saw the party 
sent to decoy them, they ran precipitately down the hill, took pos- 
session of some fences and bushes, and commenced a brisk firing at 
long-shot. Unfortunately, Knowlton and Leitch made their onset 
rather in flank than in rear. The enemy changed their front, and 
the skirmish at once became close and warm. Major Leitch having 
received three balls through his side, was soon borne from the field ; 
and Colonel Knowlton, who had distinguished himself so gallantly at 
the battle of Bunkerhill, was mortally wounded immediately after. 
Their men, however, undaunted by these disasters, stimulated with 
the thirst of revenge for the loss of their leaders, and conscious of 
acting under the eye of the commander-in-chief, maintained the con- 
flict with uncommon spirit and perseverance. But the general, seeing 
them in need of support, advanced part of the Maryland regiments 
of Griffith and Richardson, together with some detachments from 
such eastern corps as chanced to be most contiguous to the place of 
action. Our troops this day, without exception, behaved with the 
greatest intrepidity. So bravely did they repulse the British, that 
Sir William Howe moved his reserve, with two field-pieces, a battal- 
ion of Hessian grenadiers, and a company of Chasseurs, to succor his 
retreating troops. General Washington, not wilUng to draw on a 
general action, declined pressing the pursuit. In this engagement 
were the second and third battalions of light infantry, the forty-second 
British regiment, and the German Chasseurs, of whom eight officers, 
and upwards of seventy privates were wounded, and our people 
buried nearly twenty, who were left dead on the field. We had 
about forty wounded ; our loss in killed, except of two valuable offi- 
cers, was very inconsiderable. 

" An advantage so trivial in itself produced, in event, a surprising 
and almost incredible eflfect upon the whole army. Amongst the 
troops not engaged, who, during the action, were throwing earth 
from the new trenches, with an alacrity that indicated a determina- 
tion to defend them, every visage was seen to brighten, and to as- 
sume, instead of the gloom of despair, the glow of animation. This 
change, no less sudden than happy, left little room to doubt that the 
men, who ran the day before at the sight of an enemy, would now, 
to wipe away the stain of that disgrace, and to recover the confidence 
of their general, have conducted themselves in a very diflferent man- 
ner." 

The following is Mr. Grim's account of the great fire, 21st of Sep- 
tember, 1776. 



304 NEW YORK COUNTY. 

" The fire of 1776 commenced in a small wooden house, on the wharf, near the White- 
hall slip. It was then occupied by a number of men and women, of a bad character. The 
fire began late at night. There being but a very few inhabitants in the city, in a short 
time, it raged tremendously. It burned ail the houses on the east side of Whitehall slip, 
and the west side of Broad-street to Beaver-street. A providential and happy circumstance 
occurred at this time ; the wind was then southwesterly. About two o'clock that morning, 
the wind veered to the southeast ; this carried the flames of the fire to the northwestward, 
and burned both sides of Beaver-street to the east side of Broadway, then crossed Broadway 
to Beaver-lane, and burning all the houses on both sides of Broadway, with some few 
houses in New-street, to Rector-street, and to John Harrison, Esq.'s three story brick house, 
which house stopped the fire on the east side of Broadway ; from thence it continued burn- 
ing all the houses in Lumber-street, and those in the rear of the houses on the west side of 
Broadway to St. Paul's church, then continued burning the houses on both sides of Parti- 
tion-street, and all the houses in the rear (again) of the west side of Broadway to the North 
river. The fire did not stop until it got into Mortkile-street, now Barclay-street. The 
college yard and the vacant ground m the rear of the same, put an end to this awful and 
tremendous fire. Trinity church being burned, was occasioned by the flakes of fire that 
fell on the south side of the roof. The southerly wind fanned those flakes of fire in a short 
time to an amazing blaze, and it soon became out of human power to extinguish the same, 
the roof of this noble edifice being so steep that no person could go on il. St. Paul's church 
was in the like perilous situation. The roof being flat, with a balustrade on the eaves, a 
number of the citizens went on the same, and extinguished the flakes of fire as they fell on 
the roof. Thus happily was this beautiful church saved from the destruction of this dread- 
ful fire, which threatened the ruin thereof, and that of the whole city. The Lutheran 
church being contiguous to houses adjoining the same fire, it was impossible to save it from 
destruction. This fire was so furious and violently hot, that no person could go near it, 
and there were no fire engines to be had at that time in the city. 

" The number of houses that were burned and destroyed in this city at that awful confla- 
gration, were thus, viz. — From Mortkile-street to Courtlandt-street, 167 ; from Courtlandt- 
street to Beaver-street, 175 ; from Beaver-street to the East river, 151. Total, 493. There 
being very few inhabitants in the city at the time, and many of those were afraid to venture 
at night in the streets, for fear of being taken up as suspicious persons. An instance to my 
knowledge occurred. A Mr. White, a decent citizen and house-carpenter, rather too vio- 
lent a loyalist, and latterly, had addicted himself to liquor, was, on the night of the fire, 
hanged on a tavern signpost, at the corner of Cherry and Roosevelt-street. Several of the 
citizens were sent to the provost guard for examination, and some of them remained there 
two and three days, until they could give satisfactory evidence of their loyalty. 

" Mr. Hugh Gain, in his Universal Register for the year 1787, page 119, says, New 
York is about a mile and a half in length, and half a mile broad, containing, before the fires 
on the 21st of September, 1776, and 3d of August, 1778, about 4,200 houses, and 30,000 
inhabitants." 

The following annexed account of the incidents of the revolutiona- 
ry war in New York, is from Watson's Sketches of Olden Times in 
New York city. 

" After the war had commenced and New York was expected to be captured, almost all 
the Whig families, who could sustain the expense, left their houses and homes to seek pre- 
carious refuge where they could in the country. On the other hand, after the city was 
possessed by the British, all the Tory families who felt unsafe in the country made their 
escape into New York for British protection. Painfully, family relations were broken ; 
families as well as the rulers took different sides, and ' Greek met Greek' in fierce encoun- 
ter. 

" Mr. Brower, who saw the British force land in Kip's bay as he stood on the Long 
Island heights, says il was the most imposing sight his eyes ever beheld. The army crossed 
the East river, in open flat boats, filled with soldiers standing erect ; their anus all glittering 
in the sunbeams. They approached the British fleet in Kip's bay, in the form of a crescent, 
caused by the force of the tide breaking the intended line of boat after boat. They all 
closed up in the rear of the fleet, when all the vessels opened a heavy cannonade. 

"All the Presbyterian churches in New York were used for military purposes in some 
form or other. I suspect they were deemed more whiggish in general than some of the 
other churches. The clergymen of that order were in general, throughout the war, said to 
be zealous to promote the cyuse of the revolution. The Methodists, on tlie contrary, then 
few in number, were deemed loyalists, chiefly from the known loyalism of their founder, 



NEW YORK COUNTY. 305 

Mr. Wesley. Perhaps to this cause it was that the society in John street enjoyed so much 
indulgence as to occupy their church for Sunday night service, while the Hessians had it iu 
the morning service for their own chaplains and people. 

" The British troops were quartered in any empty houses of the 
Whigs which might be found. Wherever men were billeted, they 
marked it. 

" The middle Dutch church in Nassau-street, was used to imprison 
3,000 Americans. The pews were all gutted out and used as fuel. 
Afterward they used it for the British cavalry, wherein they exer- 
cised their men, as a riding school ; making them leap over raised 
windlasses. At the same place they often picketed their men, as a 
punishment, making them bear their weight on their toe on a sharp 
goad. At the same place, while the prisoners remained there, Mr. 
Andrew Mercein told me he used to see the ' dead cart'' come every 
morning, to bear off six or eight of the dead. The old sugar-house, 
which also adjoined to this church, was filled with the prisoners taken 
at Long Island ; there they suifered much, they behig kept in an 
almost starved condition. This starving proceeded from different 
motives ; they wished to break the spirit of the prisoners, and to 
cause their desertion, or to make the war unwelcome to their friends 
at home. On some occasions, as I shall herein show, the British 
themselves were pinched for supplies ; and on other occasions the 
commissaries had their own gain to answer, by withholding what 
they could from the prisoners. I could not find, on inquiry, that 
Americans in New York were allowed to help their countrymen 
unless by stealth. I was told by eye-witnesses of cases, where the 
wounded came crawling to the openings in the wall, and begging 
only for one cup of water, and could not be indulged, the sentinels 
saying, we are sorry too, but our orders have been, ' suffer no com- 
munication in the absence of your officer.' 

" The north Dutch church in William-street was entirely gutted of 
its pews, and made to hold 2,000 prisoners. The Quaker meeting in 
Pearl-street was converted into an hospital. The old French church 
was used as a prison. Mr. Thomas Swords told me they used to 
bury the prisoners on the mount, then on the corner of Grace and 
Lumber streets. It was an old redoubt. 

" Cunningham was infamous for his cruelty to the prisoners, even 
depriving them of life, it is said, for the sake of cheating his king and 
country by continuing for a time to draw their nominal rations ! The 
prisoners at the Provost, (the present debtors' prison in the Park,) 
were chiefly under his severity, (my father among the number for a 
time.) It was said he was only restrained from putting them to 
death, (five or six of them of a night, back of the prison-yard, where 
were also their graves,) by the distress of certain women in the neigh- 
borhood, who, pained by the cries for mercy which they heard, went 
to the commander-in-chief, and made the case known, with entreaties 
to spare their lives in future. This unfeeling wretch, it is said, came 
afterwarid to an ignominious end, being executed in England, as was 
published in Hall and Sellers' paper in Philadelphia, It was there 

39 



306 NEW YORK COUNTY. 

said, that it came out on the trial that he boasted of having killed 
more of the king's enemies by the use of his own means than had 
been effected by the king's arms ! — he having, as it was there stated, 
used a preparation of arsenic in their flour ! 

" Loring, another commissary of prisoners, was quite another man, 
and had a pretty good name. Mr. Lennox, the other, being now a 
resident of New York, I forbear any remarks. 

" There was much robbing in the city by the soldiery at times. In 
this, Lord Rawdon's corps and the king's guards were said to have 
been pre-eminent. 

" The British cast up a line of intrenchments quite across from 
Corlear's hook to Bunkers hill, on the Bowery road, and placed gates 
across the road there. The Hessians, under Knyphausen, were en- 
camped on a mount not far from Corlear's hook. 

" Mr. Andrew Mercein, who was present in New York when most 
of the above-mentioned things occurred, has told me several facts. 
He was an apprentice with a baker who made bread for the army, 
and states, that there was a time when provisions, even to their own 
soldiery, was very limited. For instance, on the occasion of the 
Cork provision fleet over-staying their time, he has dealt out six 
penny loaves, as fast as he could hand them, for ' a hard half dollar 
a-piece !' The baker then gave $20 a cwt. for his flour. They had 
to make oatmeal bread for the navy. Often he has seen Is. a pound 
given for butter, when before the war it was but 2d. 

" When Cornwallis was in difficulties at Yorktown, and it became 
necessary to send him out all possible help, they took the citizens by 
constraint and enrolled them as a militia. In this service Mr. Mer- 
cein was also compelled, and had to take his turns at the fort. There 
they mounted guard, &c. in military attire, just lent to them for the 
time and required to be returned. The non-commissioned officers 
were generally chosen as Tories, but often without that condition. 
Mr. Mercein's sergeant was whiggish enough to have surrendered if 
he had had the proper chance. There were some independent com- 
panies of Tories there. 

" It was really an affecting sight to see the operations of the final 
departure of all the king's embarkation ; the royal band beat a fare- 
well march. Then to see so many of our countrymen, with their 
women and children, leaving the lands of their fathers because they 
took the king's side, going thence to the bleak and barren soil of 
Nova Scotia, was at least affecting to them. Their hearts said, ' My 
country, with all thy faults I love thee still.' 

" In contrast to this, there followed the entry of our tattered and 
weather-beaten troops, followed by all the citizens in regular platoons. 

" ' Oh ! one day of such a welcome sight, 

Were worth a whole eternity of lesser years.' 

" Then crowded home to their own city, all those who had been 
abroad, reluctant exiles from British rule ; now fondly cherishing in 
their hearts, ' this is my own, my native land.' 



NEW YORK COUNTY. 307 

" The Hessian troops were peculiarly desirous to desert so as to 
remain in our country, and hid themselves in every family where they 
could possibly secure a friend to help their escape. 

"... Captain Graydon of Philadelphia, who has left us amusing 
and instructive memoirs of sixty years of his observing life, having 
been among the officers and men (2,000) captured at Fort Washing- 
ton near New York, and held prisoners, has left us many instructive 
pages concerning the incidents at New York while held by the Brit- 
ish, which ought to be read by all those who can feel any interest in 
such domestic history as I have herein endeavored to preserve. 

" After our capture, (says he,) we were committed, men and offi- 
cers, to the custody of young and insolent officers ; we were again 
and again taunted as * cursed rebels,' and that we should all be 
hanged. Repeatedly we were paraded, and every now and then 
one and another of us was challenged among our officers as deserters ; 
affecting thereby to consider their common men as good enough for 
our ordinary subaltern officers. Unfortunately for our pride and 
self-importance, among those so challenged was here and there a 
subject fitted to their jibes and jeers. A little squat militia officer, 
from York county, with dingy clothes the worse for wear, was ques- 
tioned with ' What, sir, is your rank V when he answered in a chuff 
and firm tone, ' a keppun, sir ;' an answer producing an immoderate 
laugh among ' the haughty Britons.' There was also an unlucky 
militia trooper of the same school, with whom the officers were 
equally merry, obhging him to amble about for their entertainment 
on his old jade, with his odd garb and accoutrements. On being 
asked what were his duties, he simply answered, ' it was to jlank a 
little and bear tidings.' 

" At this beginning period of the war, most things on the American 
side were coarse and rough. Maryland and Philadelphia county put 
forward young gentlemen as officers of gallant bearing and demean- 
or ; but New England, and this, then seat of war, was very deficient 
in such material. In many cases subaltern officers at least could 
scarcely be distinguished from their men other than by their cock- 
ades. It was not uncommon for colonels to make drummers and 
fifers of their sons. Among such the eye looked around in vain for 
the leading gentry of the country. General Putnam could be seen 
riding about in his shirt sleeves, with his hanger over his open vest : 
and Colonel Putnam, his nephew, did not disdain to carry his own 
piece of meat, saying, as his excuse, ' it will show our officers a good 
lesson of humiUty.' 

"... The American officers took full latitude of their parole, in traversing the streets in 
all directions with a good deal of purposed assurance. One of them, on one occasion, 
wearing his best uniform, v ^he great gaze and wonderment of many, actually ventured 
disdainfully to pass the coffee ^souse, then the general resort of the British officers. At 
other times, when the Kolch water was frozen over, and was covered with British officers, 
who thought themselves proficients in skating, it was the malicious pleasure of some of our 
officers to appear and eclipse them all. The officers occasionally met with cordial civilities 
and genteel entertainment from British officers with whom they came in contact ; for, in 
truth, the latter valued their personal gentility too much to seem to be in any degree defi- 



S08 NEW YORK COUNTY. 

cient in politeness and courtesy when they met with those whom they thought sufficiently 
pohshed to appreciate their demeanor. • 

"... The residence of Admiral Digby, and indeed of all naval officers of distinction ar- 
riving on the station, was Beekman's house, on the northwest corner of Sloate-lane and 
Hanover square. There dwelt, under the guardianship of Admiral Digby, Prince Willaim 
Henry, the late king of England. What associations of idea must be produced in the 
minds of those who can still remember when he walked the streets of New York in the 
common garb of a midshipman's ' roundabout,' or when they saw him a knocked-kneed lad, 
joining the boys in skating on the Kolch pond I" 

The annexed is a description of some of the principal British officers. " Sir William 
Howe was a fine figure, full six feet high, and admirably well proportioned. In person he 
a good deal resembled Washington, and might have been mistaken for him at a distance. 
His features, though good, were more pointed, and the expression of his countenance was 
less benignant. His manners were polished, graceful, and dignified. He lived at N. 
Prime's house, at the south end of Broadway, near the battery. 

" Sir Henry Clinton was short and fat, with a full face, prominent nose, and animated in 
telligent countenance. In his manners he was polite and courtly, but more formal and 
distant than Howe ; and in his intercourse with his officers, was rather punctilious and not 
inclined to intimacy. 

" Lord Cornwallis in person was short and thick set, but not so corpulent as Sir Henry. 
He had a handsome aquiline nose, and hair, when young, light and rather inclined to san- 
dy ; but at the time of his leaving here it had become somewhat gray. His face was well 
formed and agreeable, and would have been altogether fine had he not blinked badly with 
his left eye. He was uncommonly easy and aflfable in his manners, and always accessible 
to the lowest ot his soldiers, by whom he was greatly beloved. With his officers he used 
the utmost cordiality. 

" General Knyphausen, who commanded the Germans, was a fine-looking German, of 
about five feet eleven, straight and slender. His features were sharp, and his appearance 
martial. 

" Tarleton was below the middle size, stout, strong, heavily made, with large legs, but 
uncommonly active. His eye was small, black, and piercing ; his face smooth, and his 
complexion dark ; he was quite young, probably about twenty-five. 

" Colonel Abercrombie, who afterward gained so much eclat in Egypt, where he fell, 
was one of the finest built men in the army ; straight and elegantly proportioned. His 
countenance was strong and manly, but his face was much pitted by the small-pox. When 
here he appeared to be about forty." 



CAPTAIN DAVID HALE. 

" This eminent martyr to American liberty was the son of Deacon Richard Hale, of 
Coventry, Connecticut, where he was born June 6, 1755; and graduated at Yale College in 
1773. Possessed of genius, taste, and ardor, he early became distinguished as a scholar, 
and being endowed in an eminent degree with those gifts and graces which always add a 
new charm to youthful excellence, he gained the respect and confidence of all that knew 
him. Being a patriot from principle, and enthusiastic in a cause which appealed equally to 
his sense of justice and his love of liberty, he was among the first to take up arms in de. 
fence of his country, whose soil had been invaded by a hostile force, and its citizens subjected 
to the alternative of determined resistance or humiliating submission. The life of Captain 
Hale was short, but eventful. Its termination was under rare circumstances of intrepidity 
and cruelty. His case has been deemed parallel with that of Major Andre, and in some 
respects it was so — the nature of the service was identical. Both were young, well edu- 
cated, ardent and brave ; one for his king, the other for his country ; and each fell a victim 
to the rigor of military law. The news of the battle of Lexington roused his martial spirit, 
and summoned him to the tented field. Before arriving at the age of twenty-one, a cap- 
tain's commission was tendered him, and he soon became an efficient officer in the conti- 
nental army ; where his activity, zeal, and patriotism, obtained universal approbation. The 
company under his command, participating in the same spirit, submitted to a system of disci- 
pline before unknown to the army ; and which produced very beneficial results. He entered as 
a captain in the light infantry regiment commanded by Colonel Knowlton, of Asliford, and 
was with the army on its retreat from Long Island, in August, 1776. The American forces 
look refuge in the city of New York, and afterward at the heights at Harlaem ; and it be- 
came a matter of the utmost importance, in the opinion of the commander in-chief, to as- 
certain the numerical force and contemplated operations of the enemy ; for on that know- 



NEW YORK COUNTY. 309 

'edge depended the safety of the American army, and perhaps the nation also. A council 
of officers was assembled, and resulted in a determination to send some one competent to 
the task into the heart of the enemy's camp, and Colonel Knowlton was charged with the 
selection of an individual to perform the delicate and hazardous service. On being inform- 
ed of the views and wishes of Washington, Hale, without hesitation, volunteered his ser- 
vices, saying that he did not accept a commission for fame alone ; that he had been some- 
time in the army without being able thus far to render any signal aid to his country ; and 
that he now felt impelled, by high considerations of duty, to peril his life in a cause of so vital 
importance when an opportunity presented itself of being useful. The arguments of his 
friends were unavailing to dissuade him from the undertaking ; and having disguised him- 
self as well as he could, he left his quarters at Harlaem Heights, and having an order from 
the commander-in-chief to all the American armed vessels to convey him to any point which 
he should designate, he was enabled to cross the sound from Fairfield to Long Island, and 
arrived at Huntington about the middle of September, 1776. When he reached Brooklyn, 
the British army had taken possession of New York. He examined with the utmost cau- 
tion the fortifications of the enemy, and ascertained as far as possible their number, posi- 
tion, and future intentions ; and having satisfactorily accomplished the objects of his mission, 
he again reached Huntington for the purpose of re-crossing the sound. While waiting for 
a passage, a boat came on shore, which he at first supposed to be from Connecticut, but 
proved to be from a British vessel, the Cerberus, lying in the sound ; and on board this boat, 
it is said, was a relative of Capt. Hale, a tory refugee, who recognised and betrayed him. 
He had assumed a character which did not belong to him, that of pretending to be what he was 
not. That he was a spy, could no longer be concealed, and he was immediately sent to 
General Howe at New York. Here the parallel between Aiscase and that of Andre ceases. 
The latter was allowed time and an impartial trial before officers of honorable rank and 
character, and his last moments were soothed by tenderness and sympathy. Not so with 
the former ; he was delivered into the possession of the infamous provost-marshal, Cun- 
ningham, and ordered immediately for execution, without even the formality of a trial. 
The order was performed in a brutal manner on the twenty.first of September, 1776, and 
his body was buried on the spot where he breathed his last. He was, indeed, permitted to 
consecrate a few previous moments in writing to his family ; but as soon as the work of 
death was done, even this testimony of affection and patriotism was destroyed, assigning 
as the cause, ' that the rebels should never know they had a man in their army who could 
die with such firmness.'' In this trying hour the use of a bible and the attendance of a 
minister, which he desired, were also denied him. Thus unknown to those around him, 
with no eye to pity, or a voice to administer consolation, fell one of the most noble and 
amiable youths which America could boast ; with this his dying observation, ' that he only 
lamented he had but one life to lose for his country.^ Though the manner of his execution 
will be abhorred by every friend of humanity, yet there cannot be a question but that the 
sentence of death was conformable to the practice of all civilized nations. It is, however, 
but common justice to the character of Captain Hale to state, that his motives for engaging 
in this service were entirely different from those which sometimes influence ohers in like 
cases. Neither expectation of promotion or pecuniary reward induced the attempt. A 
high sense of public duty, and a hope of being in this way useful to his country, and the 
opinion which he had adopted, that every kind of service became honorable by being ne- 
cessary, were the motives which prompted him to this hazardous, and, to him, fatal enter- 
prise. To see such an one, in the bloom of youth, influenced by the purest intentions, and 
emulous of doing good to his beloved country, fall a victim to the policy of nations, must 
have been wounding even to the feelings of his enemies. 

" Among other causes of distress in 1776, the want of provisions and clothing was se- 
verely felt by the American army. Just previous to the battle of Long Island it was as. 
certained that an English sloop, with supplies of these essential articles, had arrived in the 
East river, and lay there under the protection of the ship Asia, of ninety guns. Captain 
Hale conceived the bold project of capturing this sloop, and bringing her into the port of 
New York, and found a sufficient number of bold hearts and stout hands to make the at- 
tempt. At an hour concerted, they passed in a boat to a point of land nearest the sloop, 
where they lay till the moon was down ; and when all was quiet, except the voice of the 
watchman on the quarter-deck of the Asia, they pulled for the sloop, and in a few minutes 
were on board. She became their prize, and the goods were distributed to those who 
needed them in our army. 

" A meeting of the citizens of Coventry and the neighboring towns was held on the 23th 
of November, 1836, at which a society was formed called the Hale Monument Associa. 
TiON, for the purpose of taking measures to erect a suitable memorial to the memory of 
the subject of this notice. An eloquent address was delivered on the occasion, by An- 



SiO' NEW YORK COUNTY. 

drew T. Judson, Esq., to whom we are indebted for much of the information contained in 
this brief memoir. 

" The following poetical tribute to the lamented Hale, is from the pen of the late Presi- 
dent Dwight : — 

' Thus, while fond virtue wished in vain to save, 
Haxe, bright and generous, found a hapless grave ; 
With genius' living flame his bosom glow'd. 
And science charmed him to her sweet abode ; 
In worth's fair path, adventured far, 
The pride of peace, and rising grace of war.' 

" As yet no monument has been erected, nor have his ashes ever been recovered. A 
select committee of congress, on the 19th of January, 1836, recommended an appropria- 
tion of one thousand dollars from the treasury of the United States towards carrying the 
object into effect ; but no action was ever had upon it afterward, and it is much to be 
feared so praiseworthy a design will be suffered to sleep, perhaps forever." — Thompson's 
History of Long Island. 

The annexed account of the evacuation of New York by the Brit- 
ish, and the entrance of the American troops, under Washington, is 
extracted from Thatcher's MiUtary Journal. 

^^ November 25th, 1783. — The British army evacuated New York, 
and the American troops under General Knox, took possession of the 
city. Soon after, General Washington and Governor Clinton, with 
their suite, made their public entry into the city on horseback, fol- 
lowed by the lieutenant-governor and the members of council, for 
the temporary government of the southern district, four abreast ; 
General Knox and the officers of the army, eight abreast ; citizens 
on horseback, eight abreast ; the speaker of the assembly and citizens 
on foot, eight abreast. The governor gave a public dinner, at which 
the commander-in-chief, and other general officers were present. 
The arrangements for the whole business were so well made and 
executed, that the most admirable tranquillity succeeded through the 
day and night. On Monday the governor gave an elegant enter- 
tainment to the French ambassador, the Chevalier de la Luzerne ; 
General Washington, the principal officers of New York state, and 
of the army, and upwards of a hundred gentlemen were present. 
Magnificent fireworks, infinitely exceeding every thing of the kind 
before seen in the United States, were exhibited at the Bowling 
Green, in Broadway, on the evening of Tuesday, in celebration of 
the definitive treaty of peace. They commenced by a dove descend- 
ing with the olive branch, and setting fire to a marron battery. On 
Tuesday noon, December 4th, the principal officers of the army as- 
sembled at Francis' tavern, to take a final leave of their much loved 
commander-in-chief. Soon after, his excellency entered the room. 
His emotions were too strong to be concealed. Filling a glass, he 
turned to them and said, ' With a heart full of love and gratitude, I 
now take leave of you. I most devoutly wish that your latter days 
may be as prosperous and happy as your former ones have been 
glorious and honorable.' Having drank, he added, ' I cannot come 
to each of you to take my leave, but shall be obliged to you, if each 
of you will come and take me by the hand.' General Knox being 
nearest, turned to him. Incapable of utterance, Washington, in tears. 



NEW YORK COUNTY. 311 

grasped his hand, embraced and kissed him. In the same affection- 
ate manner he took leave of each succeeding officer. In every eye 
was the tear of dignified sensibility ; and not a word was articulated 
to interrupt the eloquent silence and tenderness of the scene. Leav- 
ing the room, he passed through the corps of light infantry, and 
walked to Whitehall, where a barge waited to convey him to Paulus' 
Hook. The whole company followed in mute and solemn proces- 
sion, with dejected countenances, testifying feelings of delicious mel- 
ancholy wliich no language ran describe. Having entered the 
barge he turned to the compa'^.y, and waving his hat, bid them a silent 
adieu. They pai4 him the ?ume affectionate compliment, and after the 
barge had left them, returned in the same solemn manner to the place 
where they had assembled. The passions of human nature were never 
more tenderly agitated than in this interesting and distressful scene." 
The following, respecting the prevalence of the yellow fever at 
various times in New York, is from a publication written by James 
Hardie, A. M., printed in New York in 1822. 

" The yellow fever, in our times, was first observed in this city in the year 1791, when 
General Malcolm and some other very respectable citizens fell victims to its fury. The 
late respectable Dr. James Tillary, at a meetinfo^ a number of physicians, explained the 
symptoms of the disease, described its character, and gave it its true name. To all present, 
excepting two, the doctor spoke in a language which was past their comprehension, as he 
had described a disease which they had never seen, and of which they had not the most 
distant conception. But it was well remembered by the late venerable Dr. John Carleton 
and Dr. Samuel Bard, who had seen the same fell destroyer, spreading havoc and destruc- 
tion in this city, about forty years before that period. Since that time, it has repeatedly 
made its appearance amongst us, and every physician in this city as well as in most other 
maritime cities in the United States has had repeated opportunities of seeing it and of de- 
vising, in his own mind, what he might deem the most effectual means of its prevention 
and cure. 

" As the sickness, which occurred in the year 1798, was by far more fatal than any 
which has happened since that time, I shall endeavor to give as brief an account as possi- 
ble of its origin, progress, and termination. 

" Its first victim, in all probability, was Mr. Melancton Smith, who died on the 28th or 
29th of July, after an illness of a few days. His case was said to have been attended with 
the most malignant symptoms ; but such was the general opinion of the inhabitants with 
respect to the healthiness of our city, that his death excited little or no alarm. It was be. 
lieved that Mr. Smith had been taken sick at his store, in Front-street, near Coenties-slip, 
and a few days after his death, several persons were attacked with sickness in that vicinity. 
The symptoms of their disorders, however, appeared to be similar to that of a common cold. 
They were, therefore, negligent in obtaining medical aid ; hence the disease got the as- 
cendancy before they were aware of their danger, and the assistance of physicians was 
called for when it was too late. 

" Whether any case of pestilential fever existed in the earlier part of August, remote 
from the place where it was believed to have originated, was not, at the time, ascertained 
to a certainty ; but of this there was no doubt, viz. that about the 20th of the month, cases 
of a highly malignant nature appeared in difl^erent parts of the city on the same day, and in 
the course of six or eight days in different streets very remote from one another. In par. 
ticular, it began to rage with great violence at the New-slip ; in Cliff'-street and John-street • 
but more especially in Rider-street and Eden's-alley, where not a family escaped it, nor 
was there a house, except two, in which it did not terminate fatally to one or more indi- 
viduals. 

" The Health Commissioners began to be apprehensive respecting the appearance of this 
pestilence so early as the 6th of August, on which day they addressed a letter to the 
Mayor. It was to the following purport, viz. that ' the unfinished state of the docks in 
Front-street, between Coenties and the Old slips, generally, had been, in their opinion, a 
source of disease, in that neighborhood, last year, and had occasioned the death of several 
valuable citizens. That they cannot suflliciently regret that they had reason to renew their 



312 NEW YORK COUNTY. 

remonstrances on this subject, and that its present situation was likely to be productive of 
still greater evils than those of last year.' They added, that several persons had sickened 
in the neighborhood of these unfinished grounds within a week, and with symptoms strik- 
ingly characteristic of yellow fever; and they recommended that the common council 
would appoint two of their members, with whom they (the commissioners) would meet, 
at an early hour on the ensuing morning, to concert measures adapted to the emergency 
of the case. The board very cheerfully comphed with this recommendation, and such 
measures were immediately adopted as were deemed most likely to check the progress of 
the growing malady ; but it had now taking so deep root, that it could neither be eradi- 
cated nor checked by human means. 

" On the same day (6;h August) the commissioners issued an advertisement, notifying 
their determination to put the laws in force against those who should neglect to keep the 
streets clean before their respective doors, &c., adding that the street inspectors were di- 
rected to report all offences of this nature to the police, and that the penalty against oftend- 
ers would be rigidly exacted. 

" On the 12th, 13ih and 14th of August, there were heavy showers of rain ; that on the 
14th commenced at four in the morning, and continued without intermission until nine, 
with considerable thunder. The quantity which fell during these five hours, was supposed 
to have been greater than had at any time fallen, during the same space of time, for many 
years. The streets were covered with water in many places knee-deep, and a vast num. 
ber of cellars were filled with it. 

" It was at the time generally believed, that this excessive rain and thunder would 
have so purified the air, that the city would, in a few days, be totally exempt from any 
cases of this disorder ; but, alas ! our expectations were dreadfully disappointed. It is well 
known, that stagnant water in confined places, during hot weather, will, in a few days, ex- 
hale a pestilential vapor, which, if it does not generate, will certainly propagate or throw 
into more extensive circulation dangerous diseases which have already made their appear- 
ance. To prevent an occurrence of this kind, the citizens were repeatedly and most earn- 
estly entreated by the Health Commissioners to cause the water to be removed, and lime 
afterward to be liberally scattered in their cellars. Although it might have been reasona- 
bly expected, that a regard to self-preservation would have produced a prompt compliance 
with this recommendation, it is well known that many neglected it, and of those not a few 
were amongst the first victims to the disease. From this time, the number of deaths almost 
daily increased. 

"About the 24th of August, numbers began to leave the city, and many of those who 
had offices for the transaction of business towards the East river, moved to Broadway, 
which was deemed more healthy. The customhouse, in Mill-street, and the Insurance 
Office, in Water-street, were fixed, for the time, in the Tontine City Tavern, in Broadway. 

" During the whole month of August, the number of deaths amounted to three hundred 
and twenty-nine. As particular attention was not paid by the sextons, during this month, 
to distinguish those who fell victims to the fever from those who had died of other disor- 
ders, it was difficult to ascertain their precise numbers. It was believed, however, that by 
fixing it at one hundred, it would not be far from the truth. On the 15th of August, the 
deaths were 14 — from which day the number continued to progress, so that on the 1st of 
September they amounted to 23. The daily averages during August was about 12. 

" On the 13th of September the number of funerals was 38, on the 19th they were no 
less than 63, and on each of the two following days they were reduced to 40 — from which 
circumstance hopes were entertained that our mortal foe was about to leave us ; but we 
were again disappointed, for the next four days it kept fluctuating between 41 and 50, and 
on the 26th rose up to 60. The total number of deaths during this month was eleven 
hundred and fifty-two, of whom nine hundred and fifty-four died of fever. The daily aver- 
age through the month was about 38. 

" The number of the dead on the 1st of October was 43, and this was the greatest num- 
ber during the whole month. On the 18th it was reduced to 16, and on the 21st it only 
amounted to 9. After this the number of deaths on any one day, during the existence of 
the calamity, did not exceed 15 ; and it is almost certain, that had our absent citizens at- 
tended to the advice of the Health Committee, dissuading them from a premature return, 
the death warrant of the disorder might have been dated from that day. The whole num- 
ber of funerals in October was five hundred and twenty-two, of whom four hundred and 
thirty-one died of h ver. The average of the deaths, during this month, was about 17. 

" On the 10th of November the deaths were 5, and on each of the preceding days they 
were only 4. Thu total number during these ten days were 83, of whom lliirty-nine died 
of yellow fever. The following address of the Committee to the public now made its 
appearance. 



NEW YOKK COUNTY. 313 

" ' The Health Committee for the relief of the sick and indigent in the city of New York, 
■ beg leave to congratulate their fellow-citizens, that under Divine Providence, this long 
afflicted city is once more restored to its usual state of general health, and, with the most 
heartfelt pleasure, inform those who yet remain in exile, that although a few cases of the 
pestilential fever exist, yet that by the late cold weather and frost, the contagion is so far 
destroyed, as to render the return of their families to the city perfectly safe, provided they 
take the necessary previous measures of cleansing and ventilating their long unaired dwell- 
ings, and purifying the bedding and clothing, which may have been left therein during the 
prevalence of the fever. 

" * It would have afforded the Committee much satisfaction, could they have given this 
invitation at an earlier period, but they did not conceive themselves warranted by the then 
existing circumstances. There have, until the present moment, been several new cases 
of fever, particularly among those citizens who returned earlier than the committee thought 
prudent, many of whom have fallen victims to the devouring pestilence. This, among 
other circumstances, has induced the committee, to withhold this invitation until the pre- 
sent time, &c.' 

" The whole number of deaths during this awful calamity, was two thousand and eighty- 
six, viz. eleven hundred and ten men, five hundred and eighty-nine women, and eight hun- 
dred and eighty.five children. Of these, if we admit that one hundred died of the fever in 
Aug^ust, its victims would amount to one thousand five hundred and twenty-four. A great 
many of our citizens, too, who fled, were likewise cut off by it. Hence it is probable, that 
the whole number of deaths would be between 2,400 and 2,500. An awful number in- 
deed ; particularly if we consider that more than one third, some suppose that one half, of 
the inhabitants had left the city. 

" An opinion generally prevailed, that the progress of the disease varied according to the 
state of the atmosphere ; but from my observations on this subject, in the years 1798, 1799, 
1800, 1803, 1805, and also in the present year, I am much incUned to doubt its accuracy. 
The pestilence walketh in darkness, and the wisest of men, as yet, know very little of the 
nature of its progress. Of this, however, we may be certain, that cool mornings and even, 
ings, accompanied by hot days, contribute greatly to spread infection ; that in case of yel- 
low fever having for some time existed in a city, it is extremely dangerous for those who 
have fled to return to their houses till the hard frost shall set in, and that a keen black frost 
has uniformly and almost instantaneously put an end to the further progress of the disorder." 

The following is an account of the yellow fever in 1803, as given 
in an official letter by Dr. Miller. 

" The commencement of the disease took place about the 20th of July, and from that 
time, it continued to prevail, in a greater or less degree, till the end of October. The num. 
ber of deaths, in this city, amounted to five hundred and three; those at the Hospital of 
Bellevue, to one hundred and three, and those at the Marine Hospital on Staten Island, to 
sixty-eight, making a total of six hundred and seventy.four. To this should be added an 
indefinite number, about fifty or sixty, who fled from the city, and died of this disease in 
the neighboring country and villages. 

" The first public alarm arose from some fatal cases at the Coffee-House Slip, and in that 
neighborhood. About the same time, the disease was discovered in many other parts of 
the city, without any known intercourse or communication between the persons who fell 
sick. Although the number of cases, even at the worst periods of the epidemic, could not 
be pronounced to be great, especially if compared with some preceding seasons, they were 
certainly more generally diffused, and left fewer parts of the city exempt than on any former 
occasions. Broadway and some of the adjacent parts of the town retained their healthy 
character. The streets lying near the margins of the two rivers, and some of those in the 
upper part of the city, which are principally inhabited by indigent, uncleanly, and dissolute 
classes of the community, suffered the worst ravages of the disease. The alarm of the in. 
habitants was very suddenly produced, and the suspension of business and the desertion of 
the city far exceeded what had been ever experienced in former seasons." 

The following respecting the yellow^ fever in 1805, is extracted 
from a letter from Dr. E. Miller to Gov. Lewis. 

" In former seasons, it has been usual to observe sporadic cases of this disease, for several 
weeks, before the commencement of the epidemic. This was remarkably verified in the 
late season ; and such cases deserve the more attention, as they furnish the best means of 
calculating the probabihty of approaching pestilence. Accordingly, one case of a decidedly 
malignant character was observed in the month of June ; several took place in July ; a still 
greater number in August : and at the beginning of September, they had become so nu 

40 



314 NEW YORK COUNTY. 

merous as to ascertain the existence of the epidemic. Throughout September and October, 
the disease continued to prevail with more or less severity, according to the fluctuating 
state of the weather ; but towards the close of the latter month, the coldness of the season 
had evidently checked its progress ; and at the beginning of November, the city was nearly 
restored to its usual health. 

" During the early period of the epidemic, nearly all the cases took place on the eastern 
side of the city, in Front, Water, and Pearl streets, and principally below Burling-Slip. 
They afterward became more generally diffused. About the 20th of September, they 
began to prevail near the North river. On the whole, the low grounds on the margin of 
the two rivers certainly produced a chief part of the cases. The number of deaths in the 
city amounted to about two hundred ; those at the Bellevue Hospital to 52, and those in 
the Marine Hospital, sent from the city, to twenty-eight. The number of cases of malig- 
nant fever reported to the Board of Health, amounted to six hundred. It is proper, like, 
wise, in estimating the extent of the epidemic, to notice an unascertained number, proba- 
bly about forty, who after their flight from the city died in various parts of the country. 

" The source of this disease forms a most interesting subject of inquiry ; on the success 
of which must depend all rational and adequate means of preventing and eradicating the 
evil. After a long and careful investigation of the subject, I cannot hesitate to conclude, 
that a pernicious exhalation or vapovr floating in the atmosphere, is the p-imary and essen- 
tial cause of this disease." 

The yellow fever in 1822, made its appearance in a different 
quarter from that in which it had commenced its depredations in 
former years. It had uniformly begun somewhere on the East river ; 
but now it was first seen in Rector-street towards the North river, a 
part of the city which had been heretofore deemed peculiarly un- 
healthy. The disease was first formcMly noticed by the Board of 
Health on the 31st of July. The Board again met at 12 o'clock, 
having agreed to meet every day at that hour during the prevalence 
of fever. From the 13th of July to the 2d of November, twelve 
hundred and thirty-six persons died. 

" On the same day, Saturday, the 24th August, our city presented the appearance of a 
town besieged. From daybreak till night, one line of carts, containing boxes, merchandise, 
and efl^ects, were seen moving towards Greenwich Village and the upper parts of the city. 
Carriages and hacks, wagons and horsemen, were scouring the streets and filling the roads ; 
persons with anxiety strongly marked on their countenances and with hurried gait were 
bustling through the streets. Temporary stores and ofliices were erecting, and even on the 
ensuing day (Sunday) carts were in motion and the saw and hammer busily at work. 
Within a few days thereafter, the Customhouse, the Post-office, the Banks, the Insurance offi- 
ces, and the printers of newspapers, located themselves in the village or in the upper part of 
Broadway, where they were free from the impending danger, and these places almost in- 
stantaneously became the seat of the immense business usually carried on in this great 
metropolis. 

Friday, the 11th of October, was observed as a day of public hu- 
miliation and prayer on account of the pestilence. 

" Immediately after the address of the Board to their fellow.citizens on the 26th October, 
the absentees began to return to their respective abodes with a precipitation almost unpar- 
alleled. Forty or fifty carts and wagons could be seen in a line transporting goods, wares, 
merchandise, and household furniture from the village of Greenwich and places in the 
outskirts of the city, to the stores and houses from which they had been taken several 
weeks before. On the 5th November, the Customhouse, Post-office, Banks, Insurance 
offices, Printing offices. Vendue Masters, Merchants, &c., returned to their former habita- 
tions. About this time, the places of worship, which had been so long shut, in the lower 
part of the city, were re-opened, vessels came to our docks as usual, and a bustle again be- 
came visible at the former places of trade and commerce." 

In July, 1832, the asiatic cholera made its appearance in this city. 
The following table is extracted from the New York Observer. It 
includes all the deaths from July 2d, at about the time of its com- 
mencement, until Oct. 19th, when the pestilence had almost ceased. 



NEW YORK COUNTY. 315 



City Inspector's 


Report. 




Our Estimate. 


Week ending 


Burials. 


Of Cholera. 


Deaths by 

pestilence. 


Average per 
day. 


July 7 


191 


56 


81. 




11 


" 14 


510 


336 


400. 




57 


" 21 .... 


887 

879 


716 

686 


777. 

769. 




ni 


" 28 




110 


Aug. 4 


580 


383 


470. 




67 


" 11 .... 


467 

.....444 

391 

324 


281 

222 

178 

138 


357. 

334. 

281. 

214. 




51 


»' 18 




48 


" 25 




40 


Sept. 1 




30 


" 8 


355 


201 


245. 




35 


" 15 


291 


128 


181. 




26 


" 22 


238 


72 


128. 




18 


" 29 


180 


50 


70. 




10 


Oct. 5 


137 


24 


27. 




4 


" 12 


129 


14 


19. 




2 


" 19 


94 


11 


11. 




2 


Total.. 


...6,097 


3,496 


4,364 







The annexed description of New York in 1800, was taken from a 
series of historical articles relating to the city, now being published in 
the New York Express, commenced two years since. 

" The fashionable part of the city, or west end of the town, was in Wall and Pine streets, 
between Broadway and Pearl, — Pearl from Hanover square, (now part of Old slip,) to 
John-street, along State-street and a part of Broadway, below Wall-street. Then the city 
hall was not built, and on the site where it now stands was the rear of the almshouse — the 
hog-pen of which enclosed the ground now the most beautiful part of the Park. The 
change is truly astonishing. In Wall-street, for e.xample, there now is but one family 
residing in the whole street, and that is over a bank. Hardly an old building remains, 
and not one that is not so altered as to be totally different from what it was then. At 
the corner of Nassau-street, stood the venerable Federal hall, since torn down — a splendid 
row of dwellings was afterward put up, which were subsequently torn down to give place 
to the new customhouse, now building. Next below stood the elegant mansion of Mr. 
Verplanck, the brick of which were brought from Holland, and in its stead is the Bank of 
the State of New York. Next was the residence of John Keese, now the Union Bank — less 
changed than any other building. This, however, on the first of May, is to be levelled with 
the ground, and a new banking-house to be put up. Between it and William-street were 
the residences of Francis B. Winthrop and Charles Wilkes — in the place of which are the 
Dry Dock Bank, and Bank of America. On the lot where the United States Bank now 
stands was the elegant mansion of Gen. John Lamb, first collector of the port, and father 
of Alderman Lamb. This was considered not only the finest house, but was believed to 
be the grandest house that could be built. On the opposite side, where is now going up 
the massive new Merchants' Exchange, stood the residence of Thomas Buchanan, Mrs. 
White, and William C. Leffingwell. Mr. Jauncey, an English gentleman who lived in 
great style, occupied the building now rented by Messrs. Dykers & Alstyne — his stable ia 
the same building now used by the Board of Brokers. The very room in which millions 
of stock are sold every week was then a hay-loft. 

" The watch-house was kept at the corner of Broad-street, now used by Robinson for 
the sale of his caricatures. Baker's tavern, one of the most noted public houses, was at the 
corner of New-street — a club met there nightly for more than half a century. Pine-street 
has undergone still greater changes, — from Water-street to Broadway, every house has been 
demolished. Then not a store was to be seen. The old French church, the sanctuary of 
the Huguenots, stood at the corner of Nassau, — its surrounding burying yard contained the 
ashes of many of the most valued citizens. The Walcotts, Jays, Waddingtons, RadclifTs, 
BrinkerhofTs, Wells, and a host of others, resided in this street, without a thought that in 
less than 40, and even 30 years, not one brick then standing, would remain on another. 
In Pearl-street were the fashionable residences of Samuel Denton, John Ellis, John J. 
Glover, John Mowett, Robert Lenox, Thomas Cadle, John Glendenning, John B. Murray, 
(Jovernor Broome, Andrew Ogden, Governor George Clinton, Richard Varick, and a great 



316 



NEW YORK COUNTY. 



number of others. Nearly all of these gentlemen are deceased. We noticed a few days 
since, one of tlie number, Mr. Denton, for a long time past a resident of Tennessee. He 
remarked that he was absolutely a stranger; knew no one, and could hardly identify a sin- 
gle spot. In Hanover square, stood a block of buildings fronting Old slip and Pearl-street. 
They have all been removed. The city consisted of seven wards, now increased to seven- 
teen." 




View of the City Hall, New York. 

The city hall* is one of the most prominent buildings in New 
York, standing near the centre of the park, an area of about four 
acres. Situated in this spacious area, it is seen to great advantage 
in every direction. 

" The building is of a square form, two stories in height, besides a 
basement story. It has a wing at each end, projecting from the front, 
and in the centre the roof is elevated to form an attic story. The 
whole length of the building is 216 feet, the breadth 105, and the 
height 51 feet. Including the attic story, it is 65 feet in height. The 
front and both ends, above the basement story, are built of native 
white marble, from Stockbridge, Massachusetts ; and the rest of the 
building is constructed of brown freestone. The roof is covered 
with copper, and there is a balustrade of marble entirely round the 
top. Rising from the middle of the roof, is a cupola, on which is 
placed a colossal figure of Justice, holding in her right hand, which 
rests on her forehead, a balance, and in her left, a sword pointing to 
the ground. Justice is not blindfold, as she is represented in Europe. 

" There are four entrances to the building ; one in front, one in the 



* The above engraving was copied from a drawing taken some years ago. Since then, 
the cupola has been slightly altered, and a clock placed in it. A small cupola has also 
been added in the rear, on which hangs the city fire. bell. The city is divided into five fire 
districts, and when there is a fire the particular district in which it is located is indicated by 
the number of times which the bell tolls. For instance, when it is in the first it tolls once, 
in the second, twice in succession, and so on, excepting in the filth, which is indicated by 
a continual tolling. 



NEW YORK COUNTY. 317 

rear, and one in each end. The front, which is the principal, is on 
the first story, to which there is access by a flight of 12 marble steps, 
rising from which there are 16 columns supporting a portico imme- 
diately over the entrance, also composed of marble. In the centre 
of the rear of the building, there is a projecting pediment. The en- 
trance in this quarter is also on the first story, by a flight of freestone 
steps. The first story, including the portico, is of the Ionic, the second 
of the Corinthian, the attic of the Fancy, and the cupola of the Com- 
posite orders. 

" The foundation stone of this building was laid on 26th Septem- 
ber, 1803, during the mayoralty of Edward Livingston, Esq., and at 
a time when the yellow fever prevailed in the city. It was finished 
in 1812, and the expense, exclusive of the furniture, amounted to half 
a million of dollars." 

" Fifty dollars," says the New York Express, " were appropriated 
to defray the expenses of the ceremony of laying the corner-stone. 
These were the times when expenses of this sort were dealt out 
with a most sparing hand. No corporation dinners were allowed 
and two to three thousand dollars expended. When the corner- 
stone was laid, and long after, the long building now standing on 
Chamber-street, and in which various courts are held, was the alms- 
house. The paupers of that day numbered less than four hundred ; 
now, our Bellvue establishment has more inmates than the number 
of many of our most flourishing cities. Three to four thousand are 
the permanent inhabitants of the almshouse, besides quadruple that 
number who receive temporary relief from the commissioners. The 
space between the almshouse and city hall, was then a pig-pen, and 
contained hundreds of pigs, fattened by the wash of the almshouse, 
debtor's prison, and bridewell. It will be seen that the hall is mainly 
built of marble ; the first design was that the whole should be built 
of that material. At that time, marble was high, and it was desira- 
ble to make a saving. It was maintained that the population would 
never, to any extent, settle above Chamber-street, and therefore, as 
the rear of the hall would not be seen, it was concluded to build the 
same of red freestone. This accounts for the difference between the 
front and rear." 

The following shows the Egyptian building, embracing the halls of 
justice, as it appears fronting Centre-street. The police courts are 
held here at all hours of the day ; the justices relieving each other 
in their sittings. This place may be considered as the head-quarters 
of the police officers or constables, who are constantly seen going 
after, and returning with criminals of every grade, from the genteel 
and accomplished rascal, to his brother in crime, the coarse and bru- 
tal villain. Perhaps in no other part of the country are seen such 
degraded and disgusting exhibitions of fallen humanity, as in this 
place. Here many culprits of both sexes are literally dragged up 
to the tribunal of justice. While some are making complaints, others 
are being " examined," " sentenced," " bound over," or " reprimand- 
ed," as the case may be. While this is going on, the officers may 



318 



NEW VORK COUNTY. 




Southern view of the Halls of Justice, Centre-street. 

be seen leading off some to the prisons, or tombs, (as they are famil- 
iarly called,) in another part of the building. The court of sessions 
is held in an adjoining part of the building, at which the recorder 
presides. 

" This edifice now occupies the whole of the block bounded by 
Leonard, Elm, Franklin, and Centre streets, (formerly the corpora- 
tion yard,) and is 253 feet 3 inches in length, by 200 feet 5 inches 
in width. 

" The interior combines accommodations for the courts of sessions, 
police, grand jury, house of detention, records, city watch, district 
attorney, sheriff, clerk of the court, and other officers belonging to 
the different branches of the institution, together with the necessary 
offices for cooking, washing, watering, warming, &c. The whole 
designed by Mr. John Haviland. 

" The four facades, as well as the entrance hall, are executed in 
the Egyptian style of architecture, with Hallowell granite. 

" The principal front has a distyle portico of four columns, with 
palm-leaved capitals. Above the capitals are square dies, upon 
which rests the architrave, ornamented with a large winged globe 
encircled by serpents. The architrave is surmounted by a cornice, 
composed of a bold Scotia, enriched with reeded Triglyphs and a 
banded Torus ; and which, being of the same height with that of the 
similarly embellished wings, forms with them one continued line. 
Moreover, the banded moulding of the cornice descends in the form 
of a roller on all the external angles of the edifice. Both the wings 
are perforated with five lofty windows, extending the height of two 
stories, and finished with diminished pilasters, which support a cor- 
nice over each, composed simply of a bold Scotia, enriched with a 
winged globe and serpents. 

" The lateral fronts on Leonard and Franklin streets have each 
two projecting pylones or porches, with two columns ; the one on 
Leonard-street adjoining the principal front, is the entrance to the 



NEW YORK COUNTY. 319 

debtors' ward, and the opposite one on Franklin-street is the entrance 
to the poUce ward ; the other two corresponding porches next to 
Elm-street, form the carriage entrance to the house of detention. 
These porches are 54 feet wide, and their columns and entablatures 
correspond with those of the principal front, but the caps and shafts 
of the columns are less enriched. The recess in both these lateral 
fronts is six feet, and is relieved by five windows corresponding in 
character with those of the principal front, but of less proportion and 
enrichment, the Scotia being finished with reeded Triglyphs only, 
instead of the winged globe and serpents. The approach to the 
windows on these fronts is guarded against by a neat railing in keep- 
ing with the architecture. The rear or front on Elm-street having 
no entrance or windows, is simply relieved by seven narrow recesses 
in imitation of embrasures, and a railmg in the same style as those 
on the lateral fronts. 

" A terrace surrounds the whole enclosure, raised ten feet above the 
level of Centre-street, from which you ascend eight steps of a trun- 
cated and pyramidal form, to the platform of the portico, from which 
you ascend also twelve steps, between the intercolumniation of the 
rear columns to the entrance hall. This hall is 50 feet square and 
25 feet high, supported by eight columns, ranged between two rows 
with their antae placed on the opposite walls. These columns bear 
the character or an order taken from the colonnade of the temple of 
Medynet Abou. Attached to the antes opposite these columns, the 
architect originally designed to place the Egyptian caviatides, so 
highly spoken of by the French artists in Napoleon's great work on 
Egypt, published by Pauckonche ; and he feels assured that the 
Board will yet be of his opinion, and finally adopt these splendid and 
imposing figures in this entrance hall, as nothing else will be wanting 
to perfect the edifice ; their capitals are ornamented with the leaves 
and flowers of the Lotus. The floors are arched and laid in mosaic 
of an Egyptian character, governed in form by the compartments in 
the ceiling to which each belongs. 

" The principal courts, jury, witness, and other business rooms, are 
connected with, and lead into the entrance hall. On the left side 
are doors and passages communicating with the grand jury room, 
offices for register, clerk of the court, district attorney, and sheriff", 
debtors' ward and witness' rooms ; and on the right side are disposed 
the magistrates' offices, court, and witness' rooms, watchmen's dor- 
mitories, police court, officers' rooms, and cells for nightly commit- 
ments. The centre leads to the court of sessions, (including two jury 
rooms, and separate gallery capable of containing an audience of 
300 persons ;) the whole well ventilated and lighted, and in a situa- 
tion the least liable to be disturbed by the noise of the adjoining streets. 

" The house of detention is a distinct and isolated building, 142 
feet in length by 45 in width. It contains 148 cells, divided into four 
distinct classes for prisoners, including baths, and rooms for male and 
female, white and black vagrants. The lower cells are 6 feet 9 
jiches wide, 11 feet high, and 15 feet long, diminishing 18 inches in 



320 



NEW YORK COUNTY. 



length in each story ; they are provided with cast-iron water closets, 
hydrant, water cock, ventilators, and are warmed by Perkins' hot 
water pipes, (introduced and now in successful operation in the new 
penitentiaries at Philadelphia and Trenton, by J. Haviland, architect.) 
The floors, and ceilings, and galleries are formed of slabs from the 
North river flagging ; the doors and window jambs of iron ; and the 
entire cells are otherwise finished on the most approved plan for se- 
curity, seclusion, ventilation, economy of supervision and watching. 
The corridors are ten feet wide below, and widen at each story to 
19 feet at the summit, affording a free ventilation and uninterrupted 
view of every cell door, from the observatory. A bridge leads across 
from the house of detention to the prisoners' seat in the courthouse. 
By reference to the specifications and drawings, it will be seen that 
every part of the building is calculated to be executed in the most 
substantial and approved manner, with the best materials of their 
kind : and that no pains or expense is spared to effect all the desired 
objects of the institution, with the aid, experience, and best talent 
that the country affords. 

" The building is generally fire-proof by ceilings and floors of 
arched masonry. 

" The site on which the building is erected, is formed of made 
ground, every precaution having been used to render the foundation 
secure by the introduction of iron ties, inverted arches, and heavy 
timbering. The whole area was excavated several feet below the 
water level, large timbers were placed together, and range timbers 
at right angles with these laid several feet wider than the respective 
walls. 

" This edifice was commenced in 1836, and finished during the 
summer of 1838."— New York in 1840. 




View of the Penitentiary on BlackweWs island. 

The above is a view of the penitentiary on Blackwell's island, 
about four miles NE. of the city hall. It is an immense stone edifice, 
recently erected, partly by convicts. The main building is four stories 
high, surmounted by a square tower ; the two wings, each extend- 
ing upwards of 200 ieet from the centre building, are also four stories 
high. The interior is fitted up with rooms for the accommodation 
of the keepers, workshops in which the prisoners are obliged to labor, 



NEW YORK COUNTY. 321 

and numerous cells ; the whole being constructed in the most sub- 
stantial and secure manner. Bridewell is situated at Bellvue, being 
part of the building now used as the female penitentiary. Criminals 
convicted of petit larceny, &c., are confined here ; also prisoners 
before trial. The house of refuge is situated about 2^ miles N. of 
the city hall, and is under the control of the ' Society for the Re- 
formation of Juvenile Delinquents.' It was incorporated in 1825. 

" Banks. — There are now in the city of New York twenty-three 
incorporated banks, with an aggregate capital of $20,361,200. There 
are also incorporated in the state of New York seventy-five other 
banks, with an aggregate capital of $16,740,260, making in all ninety- 
eight banks, with a total capital of $37,101,468. All but eight of the 
above banks are subject to the Safety Fund Act ; the exceptions are 
the Manhattan, Dry Dock, Fulton, North River, and Chemical banks, 
in the city of New York ; the Long Island Bank, Bi'ooklyn ; Com- 
mercial Bank, Albany ; and Bank of Rochester, in the city of Roch- 
ester. The Safety Fund now amounts to $500,000, which is the 
maximum provided by law. This fund was created by an annual 
tax upon the Safety Fund Banks, and in case of the failure of any 
one or more of them, it is liable to be drawn on for the deficit. 

" The banks are open every day in the year, from 10 A. M. to 3 
P. M., except Sundays, Christmas day, New Year's day, the Fourth 
of July, and general holidays appointed by legal authority, and the 
Bank of New York on Good Fridays. 

" The rate of discount is 6 per cent, per annum, (calculating 360 
days to the year,) excepting when notes have over 60 days to run. 
Three days' grace are allowed on all notes, and the discount taken 
for the same. When notes have over 60 days to run, the banks have 
the privilege of charging 7 per cent." 

The following is an account of the great fire in 1835, by which it 
is estimated that about twenty millions worth of property was de- 
stroyed. 

" One of the most alarming and destructive fires ever known in this hemisphere, broke 
out on Wednesday evening, December 16th, 1835, in the premises of Messrs. Crawford & 
Andrews, situate No. 25 Merchant-street, in this city, which in a short time raged with 
such intensity as to defy the exertions of the firemen, and others, who with equal zeal and 
prompitude were quickly on the spot for the purpose of stopping its ravages. The inutihty 
of all aid was, however, soon perceptible, and all that could be done, was to remove what 
could in haste be got together, to such places as were deemed beyond the reach of the de- 
vouring element. With this impression, an immense quantity of goods were placed, for 
safety from buildings in the immediate vicinity of the fire, in the Merchants' Exchange and 
Reformed Dutch Church, where it was presumed they would remain free from danger : 
alas ! the futility of human speculation ; but a short time had elapsed from the time of such 
deposit to the whole being enveloped in flames, and these splendid buildings were soon 
reduced to a heap of ashes. The power of man was fruitlessly employed in attempts to 
stay its impetuosity, which every minute increased in the most alarming manner, spreading 
in all directions, and causing the utmost dismay and consternation through the whole city. 
Any attempt to convey to the mind a faithful description of the awfully grand scene that pre- 
sented itself to the view of those who were witnesses of this dreadful catastrophe, must of 
necessity be very feeble. 

" The morning of the 17th of December, 1835, opened upon New York with a scene 

of devastation around, suflScient to dismay the stoutest heart. The fine range of buildings 

^and splendid stores in Exchange place, Merchant-street, and all the adjoining streets down 

41 



322 NEW YORK COUNTY. 

to the river, lay literally levelled to the earth, with their contents consumed; the Mer- 
chants' Exchange and Post-office entirely destroyed — the whole one heap of smoking ruins. 

" A tolerably correct idea of the extent of the devastation may be formed from the fol- 
lowing account, which appeared the next morning in the Courier and Enquirer. 

" South-street is burned down from Wall-street to Coenties slip. Front-street is burned 
down from Wall-street to Coenties slip. Pearl-street is burned down from Wall-street to 
Coenties alley, and was there stopped by blowing up a building. Stone-street is burned 
down from WiUiam-street to No. 32 on the one side and No. 39 on the other. Beaver, 
street is burned down half way to Broad-street. Exchange place is burned down from 
Hanover-street to within three doors of Broad-street; here the flames were stopped by 
blowing up a house. William-street is burned down from Wall-street to South-street, both 
sides of the way. Market-house down. Wall-street is burned down on the south side, 
from William-street to South-street, with the exception of 51, 53, 65, 57, 59, 61, opposite 
this office. All the streets and alleys within the above limits are destroyed. 

" The following will be found a tolerably accurate statement of the number of houses and 
stores now levelled with the ground : 26 on Water-street, 37 on South-street, 80 on Front- 
street, 62 on Exchange place, 44 on William-street, 16 on Coenties slip, 3 on Hanover 
square, 20 on Gouverneur's lane, 20 on Cuyler's alley, 79 on Pearl-street, 76 on Water, 
street, 16 on Hanover-street, 31 on Exchange-street, 33 on Old slip, 40 on Stone-street, 
23 on Beaver-street, 10 on Jones' lane, 38 on Mill-street ; — Total, 674. 

" Six hundred and seventy-four tenements. By far the greater part in the occupacy of 
our largest shipping and wholesale drygoods merchants, and filled with the richest products 
of every portion of the globe. How estimate the immense loss sustained, or the fearful 
consequences to the general prosperity ? 

" Of the Merchants' Exchange nothing but its marble walls remain standing. 

" Three or four vessels lying at the wharves on South-street were slightly injured in their 
yards and rigging. They were all hauled out into the river as soon as practicable. 

" A detachment of marines from the navy-yard under Lieut. Reynolds, and of sailors 
under Capt. Mix of the navy, arrived on the spot at two o'clock in the morning. They 
rendered most valuable service. The gunpowder brought from the magazine at Red hook 
was partly under their charge. 

" The cold during the whole time was excessive ; the thermometer at zeio. It may be 
easily supposed that this greatly paralyzed the exertion of the firemen. One sank under 
its effects, and was with difficulty resuscitated. 

" Two companies, with their engines, arrived here from Newark, and rendered very 
material assistance. 

" The passengers in the steamboat coming down the river, saw the flames from the 
Highlands, forty-five miles distant, and such was the violence of the gale, during the preva- 
lence of the fire, that burning embers were carried across the East river to Brooklyn and 
set fire to the roof of a house there, which was however speedily extinguished. 

" Strong bodies of cavalry and volunteer infantry were patrolhng the streets near the fire, 
and preserved perfect order for the purpose of preventing depredations." 

Columbia college, (formerly King's college.) is situated on a beau- 
tiful square between Murray, Barclay, Church, and Chapel streets, 
in the city of New York. It was established under a royal charter 
in 1754, which has been confirmed by various acts of the legislature 
since the revolution. 

" There are two literary societies connected with the college, 
composed of students and graduates — viz, the Peithologian and the 
Philolexiaii societies. 

" There is also connected with the college, a grammar school, 
subject to the control of the trustees, and under the direction of Pro- 
fessor Anthon, as rector. The school is composed of upwards of 
200 hundred scholars, and instruction is given in all branches neces- 
sary for admission into any college, or for the counting-house. 

" Eight instructors are constantly employed, besides one teacher in 
French, one in Spanish, and one in German and Italian. There is 
also a primary school attached to this institution, in which boys from 
five to ten years are prepared for the more advanced classes. 



NEW YORK COUNTY. 



323 




View of the Customhouse, Wall-street. 

" By a statute of Columbia college, the corporation of the city of 
New York, the trustees of the New York Public School Society, the 
trustees or directors of the Clinton Hall Association, of the Mercantile 
Library Association, and of the Mechanic and Scientific Institutions, 
the General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen, and such other 
societies as the board of trustees may from time to time designate, 
are each entitled to have always two students educated in the college 
free of all charges of tuition. Every religious denomination in the 
city is also entitled to have one student, who may be designed for the 
ministry, educated free of all charges. And every school, from 
which there shall be admitted in any one year into the college four 
students, have the privilege of sending one scholar, to be educated 
gratuitously. In order to give effect to the privilege in regard to 
the common schools in the city, twelve scholars at one time receive 
gratuitous instruction in the grammar school preparatory to their 
entering the college." 

The above is a view of the new customhouse as seen from Wall- 
street. This structure surpasses any building of its size in the 
world, both in the beauty of its design and the durability of its con- 
struction. It is in the form of a parallelogram, 200 feet long, by 90 
wide ; and about 80 feet in height from the bottom of the foundation 
wall to the top. Brick, granite, and marble are used in the construc- 
tion; all the inside walls are of brick, with the exception of those in the 
rotunda, which are of marble. The steps and stairs throughout are 
of a light-colored granite, employed for the sake of durabihty. At 
the extremity of the entrance hall is the rotunda, or large circular 
apartment to be used as the collector's office. This is a most splen- 
did room ; the roof is supported by 16 beautiful marble columns, high- 
ly polished with Corinthian capitals, 30 feet high, and 2 feet 8 inches 
in diameter. The diameter of the rotunda is 60 feet in the clear, 
and 80 feet in the recesses. The largest blocks of marble used in 



324 NEW YORK COUNTY. 

the building weigh thirty-three tons. The marble slabs for the roof 
weigh 300 or 400 pounds, and lap over each other eight inches with 
an upper and an under lip, to allow of the expansive power, and to 
keep out the least particle of water. The entire outside of this 
splendid edifice is of marble, with the exception of the granite steps. 
There is not a particle of wood work in any part of the building, 
and it is probably the only structure in the world that has been erect- 
ed so entirely fire-proof. This elegant edifice was commenced in 
May, 1834, and finished in May, 1841. The cost, ground inclusive, 
was $1,175,000— building alone, $950,000. The architect is Mr. 
John Frazee, and it will probably remain for ages a monument of his 
skill. 

The number of officers employed in the customhouse is 354, of 
■whom nearly 200 are inspectors. The amount of duties received for 
the last three years has been as follows, viz : — 

1838 $10,494,055 34 

1839 13,970,332 49 

1840 7,557,441 36 

The old city or Federal Hall stood on the present site of the Cus- 
tomhouse. It was in its gallery on Wall-street, on April 30th, 1789, 
that George Washington was inaugurated the first President of the 
United States. The annexed account of this ceremony is from Sparks' 
Life of Washington : — 

" A committee of congress, consisting of three members of the 
Senate and five of the House of Representatives, was appointed to 
meet him in New Jersey and attend him to the city of New York. 
To Elizabethtown Point came many other persons of distinction, and 
the heads of the several departments of government. He was there 
received in a barge, splendidly fitted up for the occasion, and rowed 
by thirteen pilots in white uniforms. This was followed by vessels 
and boats, fancifully decorated, and crowded with spectators. When 
the President's barge came near to the city, a salute of thirteen guns 
was fired from the vessels in the harbor, and from the battery. At the 
landing he was again saluted by a discharge of artillery, and was 
joined by the governor and other officers of the state, and the cor- 
poration of the city. A procession was then formed, headed by a 
long military train, which was followed by the principal officers of 
the state and city, the clergy, foreign ministers, and a great con- 
course of citizens. The procession advanced to the house prepared 
for the reception of the President. The day was passed in festivity 
and joy, and in the evening the city was brilliantly illuminated. 

" The first public act of the President was that of taking the oath 
of office. It was decided by congress, that this should be done with 
some ceremony. In the morning of the day appointed, April 30th, 
at 9 o'clock, religious services suited to the occasion were performed 
in all the churches of the city. At twelve the troops paraded before 
the President's door, and soon afterward came the committees of 
congress and the heads of departments in carriages, to attend him to 
the Federal Hall, where the two houses of congress were assembled. 



NEW YORK COUNTY. 



325 



The procession moved forward with the troops in front, next the 
committees and heads of departments, then the President in a coach 
alone, followed by the foreign ministers, civil officers of the state, and 
citizens. Arrived at the hall, he ascended to the senate chamber, 
and passed thence to a balcony in front of the house, where the oath 
was administered to him in presence of the people by Chancellor 
Livingston. The President returned to the senate chamber, in the 
midst of loud acclamations from the surrounding throng of spectators, 
and delivered to the two branches of congress his inaugural speech. 
He then went on foot to St. Paul's church, where prayers were read 
by the bishop, and the ceremonies were closed. Tokens of joy were 
everywhere exhibited, as on the day of his arrival, and at night there 
was a display of illuminations and fire-works." 




Merchants Exchange, Wall-street. 

This structure, now erecting and nearly completed, is in part on 
the site of the Exchange building destroyed by the great fire of De- 
cember, 1835, and embraces all the ground between William and Wall 
streets, Exchange place, and Hanover-street, covering the entire block. 
The dimensions are 198 feet on Wall-street, 171 on WiUiam-street, 
144 on Hanover-street, and 196 feet on Exchange place. It is 77 feet 
high to the top of the cornice, and 124 feet from the foundation wall 
to the top of the dome. 

The building when finished will be of the Grecian Ionic style of 
architecture, the exterior of which will be constructed of blue Quin- 
cy granite, in the most chaste and durable manner. In front, on 
Wall-street, will be a recessed portico, with 18 massive columns, 38 
feet in height. The process of quarrying is curious. The quarry is in 
in the side of a hill ; the ends of a block of granite are cleared, a row of 
holes are drilled in a straight line, wedges are inserted, and an enormous 
piece of stone weighing from 300 to 400 tons is thus wedged off with 
ease. Each of the columns for the portico weigh about 90 tons in 
the rough, and five men with a simple apparatus draw it out of the 
quarry in two or three days to the place where the workmen stand 



326 



NEW YORK COUNTY 




View of the New York University. 

ready to hammer-dress it. The fair market price of one of these 
columns is $6,000 ; but the Exchange company pay only $3,000 for 
them, delivered in New York. These columns with but one excep- 
tion, (that of a church at St. Petersburg,) are the largest in the world, 
being 38 feet in height, and 4 feet 4 inches in diameter ; and each of 
the columns, including the base, cap, and shaft, weighs 43 tons. The 
exchange room or rotunda is a most magnificent apartment, in the cen- 
tre of the building. The height of it to the spring of the dome is 51 
feet, and above this the dome is 30 feet high ; the whole to be sur- 
mounted by a lantern sky-light 37 feet diameter, and 6 feet high. The 
floor is to be of fine marble — its diameter is 80 feet in the clear, and 
100 feet in the recesses, forming an area of 7000 square feet, which 
it is estimated will hold 3000 persons. The dome is partly support- 
ed by eight polished Italian marble columns with Corinthian capitals, 
executed in Italy ; these are 41 feet in height, including the cap and 
base, and 4 feet 8 inches in diameter. There will also be many rooms 
for the accommodation of public and private oflices, so constructed 
as to be entirely fire-proof, under the superintendence of Mr. Isaiah 
Rogers, the architect of the building. The cost of the structure will 
be about $2,000,000. 

The above is a view of the New York University, built in the col- 
legiate gothic style, situated on the east side of Washington square. 
This institution was chartered in 1831, and opened for the reception 
of students in 1832. The number of students in 1840 was 364. 

" This building has just been completed, after a labor of several 
years ; it is one hundred feet wide, and one hundred and eighty feet 
long. In front this oblong is divided into five parts — a central build- 
ing, with wings flanked by towers, one rising on each of the four 
corners of the edifice. This central building or chapel is superior to 
the rest in breadth, height, and character ; and is somewhat similar 
to that of King's college, Cambridge, England ; a masterpiece of 



NEW YORK COUNTY. 



327 



pointed architecture, and the model for succeeding ages. It is fifty- 
five feet broad, and eighty-five feet deep, including the octangular 
turrets, one of which rises at each of the four corners. The two 
ends are gabled, and are, as well as the sides, crowned with an em- 
battled parapet. The chapel will receive its principal light from a 
window in the western end. This window is twenty-four feet wide, 
and fifty high. It has eight lights and two embattled" transoms. The 
heads of the lights are cinque-foiled in a plain arch, and the divisions 
above are quatre-foiled. Over the head of the window is a drip- 
stone, with plain returns. From the central building, or chapel, wings 
project right and left, and are four stories in height, flanked by towers 
of five, supported by angular buttresses of two stages, running above 
an embattled parapet, and are at the top themselves embattled. The 




New York Institution for the Deaf and Dumb. 

windows in the wings have square heads, with two lights, a plain 
transom, and the upper division tre-foiled. The heads of the win- 
dows are labelled, and have plain returns. The lower range of win- 
dows is set on a tablet, which serves as a base, and the two ranges 
above are set on strings, which return around the turrets, and stop 
against the buttresses. The principal entrance is under the great 
western window, through a richly moulded and deeply recessed 
portal, flanked by buttresses of two stages, the upper stage set di- 
agonally, and rising above an embattled parapet. The doors are of 
oak, richly pannelled, and filled with tracery of open work, closely 
studded with bronze." 

" The New York Institution for the instruction of the deaf and 
dumb, was incorporated in 1817, and commenced operations under its 
charter, by opening a school for the reception of pupils on the 12th 
day of May, 1818. Until the spring of 1829, the school was held in 
the building now called the new City Hall. At that time the pupils 
were transferred to a large building erected for the purposes of the 
institution, on Fiftieth-street and the Fourth Avenue, three and a half 
miles from the City Hall. Communication between the institution 
and the city is rendered very easy, by the cars which pass on the 
Harlsem railroad, (Fourth Avenue,) every fifteen or twenty minutes 
in both directions. 



328 NEW YORK COUNTY. 

" The principal building occupied for the purposes of the institution, 
is one hundred and ten feet by sixty, in the dimensions of its plan, 
and five stories in height, including the basement. It accommodates, 
with some inconvenience, the number of pupils which the institution 
embraces at present, with the teachers, the family of the principal, 
and such other persons as are needed to assist in conducting the affairs 
of the establishment. 

" The original charter of the institution being about to expire by 
limitation on the first day of April, 1837, it was extended by the le 
gislature, in the spring of 1836, for a period of twenty-five years. 

" The number of pupils who were members of the institution in 
1840, was one hundred and fifty-two. One hundred and fourteen of 
these are -supported at the expense of the state of New York, six 
at the expense of the state of New Jersey, twelve by the city au- 
thorities, one by the supervisors of the county of Dutchess, twelve 
by the funds of the institution, and the rest by their parents or friends." 

The New York institution for the blind. — This institution contains 
about fifty blind pupils, who, in addition to the school exercises, are 
employed in making baskets, mats, rugs, carpeting, and in braiding 
palm-leaf hats. They are also taught instrumental and vocal music. 

The New York Historical Society, established in 1809, by private 
contribution and legislative assistance, possesses a library of about 
10,000 volumes, valuable manuscripts, coins, &c. The Stuyvesant 
Institute was organized in 1834, for the diflfusion of knowledge by 
means of popular lectures, to establish a cabinet of natural history, 
library, &c. The American Lyceum, for the promotion of education, 
was founded in 1831. The New York Society Library was estab- 
lished in 1754, and has 35,000 volumes. The Apprentices' Library 
was established by the General Society of Mechanics and Trades- 
men in 1821, and has about 12,000 volumes. 

The Mercantile Library Association. — This noble institution was es- 
tablished in 1821, since which time it has gone on gradually and 
steadily increasing, until it now numbers 3,500 members, and a splen- 
did library of 22,500 volumes, with an annual income of about $!8,000. 
Connected with the library are extensive reading-rooms, which are 
supplied with all the principal American and foreign periodicals. 
Lectures are regularly given by those distinguished in the various 
departments of science or literature. Classes are also formed for 
instruction, and the facilities here given at a trifling expense to the 
clerk for acquiring a finished mercantile education, ai-e unequalled 
perhaps by any similar institution in the world. 

The College of Physicians and Surgeons was formed in 1807, by 
the legislature of New York, at the recommendation of the regents 
of the University, by whose immediate government it is controlled. 
The New York Eye Infirmary was founded in 1820; since this 
period about 17,000 persons have for a longer or shorter period been 
under the care of the surgeons of this institution. The New York 
Hospital was founded in 1771, by the earl of Dunmore, the governor 
of the colony. This institution has an annual revenue from various 



NEW YORK COUNTY. 



329 



sources of about $68,000, the larger portion of which is annually 
expended. The Bloomingdale Asylum for the insane is pleasantly 
situated near the banks of the Hudson river, distant 7 miles from the 
city, and has attached to it 40 acres of land, laid out in gardens, 
pleasure grounds, &c., well adapted for the unfortunate inmates. 

The American Academy of Fine Arts, in Barclay-street, was incor- 
porated in 1808. Napoleon, while first consul, presented Mr. Liv- 
ingston, our ambassador to France, with a valuable collection of 
casts, engravings, &c,, for this institution, which may be seen by the 
public during the season of exhibition. The National Academy of 
Design was instituted in 1826. It is enriched with many produc- 
tions of American art. It has professorships of Painting, Anatomy, 
Sculpture, and Mythology. 

The number of churches in the city is one hundred and fifty, com- 
prised in the annexed list. 



Presbyterian 34 

Congregationalist 4 

Dutch Reformed 14 

Episcopalian 28 

Baptist 19 



Methodist 20 

Catholic 7 

Friends 4 

Lutheran 2 

Universalist 3 



Unitarian 2 

Jews .3 

New Jerusalem 1 

Moravian 1 

Miscellaneous 6 




Gothic {late Masonic) Hall, Broadway. 

This building, lately the head-quarters of the Whig party in this 
city, is situated on the east side of Broadway, about 60 rods north of 
the Park. The foundation was commenced on St. John's day, 24th 
June, 1826; when the corner-stone was laid with all due ceremony 
by the craft, in presence of thousands of citizens. It was finished in 
the subsequent year ; the whole cost being $50,000. The building 
has lately undergone some alterations internally, and the name been 
changed to that of Gothic Hall. 

42 



330 



NEW YORK COUNTY. 




Vieiv of Tammany Hall* and the adjoining buildings. 

The above shows the appearance of Tammany Hall and the adja- 
cent buildings as they appear from the southern wing of the City 
Hall. Tammany Hall has acquired considerable celebrity from 
being the head-quarters of the democratic party. The other build- 
ings seen on this block are mostly newspaper establishments : " The 
Sun," " New Era," " Brother Jonathan," the " Tattler," and some 
others are published here. The otlice of the Sun, a daily paper, is 
on the corner of the block. This is the oldest penny ])aper in the 
city, having been commenced towards the close of 1833, on a medium 
sheet, by Day and Wisner. Two or three months afterward the 
Transcript was begun of the same size, by Hayward, Lynde, and 
Stanley. The Herald, by J. G. Bennet, was the next living penny 
publication: it was started in 1835. The New Era, by Locke and 
Price, followed in 1836. From 5,000 to 30,000 copies of some of the 
penny papers are sold daily. A large proportion of these go into the 
hands of those who take no other paper ; and who, were it not for their 

* This name is derived from an Indian cliicf or saint, who is supposed to have been 
alive as late as the year 1(580. Mr. Heckwelder, in his History, says that all that is known 
of him is " that he was a Delaware chief, who never had his equal. The fame of this 
great man extended even among the whites, who fabricated numerous legends respecting 
him, which I never heard, however, from the mouth of an Indian, and therefore believe to 
be fabulous. In the revolutionary war, his enthusiastic admirers dubbed him a saint, and 
he was established, under the name of St. Tammajiy, the patron saint of America. His 
name was inserted in some calendars, and his festival celebrated on the first day of May in 
every year. On that day a numerous society of his votaries walked together in procession 
through the streets of Philadelphia, their hats decorated with bucks' tails, and proceeded to 
a handsome rural place out of town, which they called the wigwam; where, after a long 
talk, or Indian speech had been delivered, and the calumet of peace and friendship had 
been duly smoked, they spent the day in festivity and mirth." 



NEW YORK COUNTY. 



331 



cheapness, would be destitute, in a great measure, of correct informa- 
tion respecting public events. It is estimated that about 620,000 
newspapers are issued in the city every week, and in the course of 
the year upwards of thirty-two millions. 




The Battery, and Castle Garden. 

" The Battery. — This beautiful promenade is situated at the south- 
west end of the island, and junction of the North and East rivers, 
and possesses attractions unsurpassed, perhaps, by any other similar 
place of resort in the world, justly commanding the admiration of 
every visiter. It is in full view of the bay and surrounding scenery 
of Long Island, Staten Island, New Jersey, and the islands in the 
harbor. From no one point can a better idea be formed of the mag- 
nitude of the commerce of the city ; the numerous ships, steam- 
boats, and small vessels, that are constantly entering and departing 
from the port, forming a scene of stirring interest. Of the bay itself, 
we deem it appropriate in this place to quote the language of a late 
English tourist. 

" ' I have never seen the bay of Naples, I can therefore make no 
comparison ; but my imagination is incapable of conceiving any thing 
more beautiful than the harbor of New York. Various and lovely 
are the objects which meet the eye on every side ; but the naming 
them would only be to give a list of words, without conveying the 
faintest idea of the scene. I doubt if even the pencil of Turner could 
do it justice, bright and glorious as it rose upon us. We seemed to 
enter the harbor of New York upon waves of liquid gold ; and as 
we dashed past the green isles which rise from its bosom like guar- 
dian sentinels of the fair city, the setting sun stretched his horizontal 
beams further and further, at each moment, as if to point out to us 
some new glory in the landscape.' 

" The Battery extends somewhat in the form of a crescent, from 
the termination of Broadway, Greenwich, and Washington streets, on 
the northwest, to Whitehall-street, on the east, covering an area of 



332 NEW YORK COUNTY. 

nearly 11 acres, and laid out in grass-plots and gravel walks, shaded 
with trees. The exterior, fronting the harbor, is built up with hewn 
stone ; and on this side is a paved walk, with stone posts connected 
with a neat open railing. An expensive iron railing, with gateways, 
extends along the interior front." 

" Originally this point of land was fortified by the Dutch, who 
threw up embankments, upon which they placed some pieces of 
cannon. ' In process of time,* says Knickerbocker, ' it came to be 
pleasantly overrun by a verdant carpet of grass and clover, and 
their high embankments overshaded by wide-spreading sycamores, 
among whose foliage the little birds sported about, rejoicing the ear 
with their melodious notes. The old burghers would repair of an 
afternoon to smoke their pipes under the shade of their branches, 
contemplating the golden sun, as he gradually sunk in the west, an 
emblem of that tranquil end towards which themselves were hasten- 
ing ; while the young men and the damsels of the town would take 
many a moonlight stroll among these favorite haunts, watching the 
chaste Cynthia tremble along the calm bosom of the bay, or light up 
the white sail of some gliding bark, and interchanging the honest 
vows of constant affection. Such was the origin of that renowned 
walk, the Battery, which though ostensibly devoted to the purposes 
of war, has ever been consecrated to the sweet delights of peace : 
The favorite walk of declining age ; the healthful resort of the feeble 
invalid ; the Sunday refreshment of the dusty tradesman ; the scene 
of many a boyish gambol ; the rendezvous of many a tender assigna- 
tion ; the comfort of the citizen ; the ornament of New York, and 
the pride of the lovely island of Mannahatta.' " 

" Castlk Garden. — On a mole, connected with the Battery by a 
bridge, is situated Castle Garden, originally erected for a fortification, 
and used for that purpose until 1823, when it was ceded by the 
United States to the corporation of this city, since which it has been 
leased for a place of public amusement or recreation. On the top of 
the walls, a walk, covered by an awning, has been constructed, from 
whence a fine view of the harbor and adjacent scenery is obtained. 
Within the walls over ten thousand people may be accommodated, 
and concerts and fireworks are occasionally given." 

" Vauxhall Garden — Is situated near the junction of the Bowery 
and Broadway, fronting on the former, and is at present a place of 
great resort in summer. On the evenings of public days, fireworks 
and other entertainments are exhibited ; but by the late improve- 
ments in that part of the city, particularly by the extension of Lafay- 
ette place through the garden, its dimensions have been much les- 
sened. 

NiBLo's Garden — Is one of the most fashionable places of resort 
in the city, during the summer months. It has been laid out with 
great taste, and when open to the public, is handsomely lighted, and 
decorated with paintings, mirrors, &c. The walks are bordered 
with shrubbery and flowers in great variety. Fireworks are occa- 



1 NEW YORK COUNTY. 333 

j sionally exhibited ; and in the saloon, which is a very tasteful and 
airy building, theatrical and musical entertainments are given." 

"American Museum. — This excellent institution was founded in 
1810, by the late John Scudder, by whoso arduous efforts, and the 
persevering exertions of its more recent proprietors, it has arose to 
its present high standing. It continues daily to improve in every de- 
partment, by extensive and valuable additions of the works of nature 
and artificial curiosities, from all parts of the world. Its immense 
collections are well arranged and beautifully displayed in four spa- 
cious saloons, each one hundred feet in length ; in addition to which 
another apartment has recently been added of still larger dimensions. 
The Grand Cosmorama of this establishment is truly a most splendid 
affair, which for extent of glasses and magnificence of views, is not 
surpassed in this or any other country. The views embrace a great 
variety of subjects, and were all executed expressly by Italian artists 
of eminence in their profession. No labor or expense has been 
spared to render this establishment well deserving a continuance of 
that liberal and distinguished patronage it has always received. 
The building is very high, and from its observatory may be enjoyed 
some of the finest views in the city, and of the beautiful bay and sur- 
rounding country. The halls are well warmed and ventilated, and 
at evening brilliantly lighted with gas, altogether forming a very in- 
viting, agreeable lounge, and at the same time, a place for serious 
contemplation and amusement, to those who delight in the study of 
the wonderful works of nature. 

" Peale's Museum and Gallery of Fine Arts. — This establish- 
ment was founded in the year 1825, and has increased with aston- 
ishing rapidity. It contains four spacious apartments, which are 
arranged in the following order : The 1 st contains specimens of 
Natural History in all its branches, and its beauty of arrangement, 
and the exquisite style in which the articles are mounted, renders it 
one of the most interesting places of public amusement in the country. 
The 2d is a large and valuable collection of Paintings, by eminent 
artists, amongst which may be particularly mentioned a Portrait of 
Napoleon, by Le Fevre ; a Magdalen, by Le Bron, together with 
Portraits of at least 150 celebrated citizens and foreigners. The 3d 
contains a very superior Cosmorama, several Wax Figures of good 
workmanship, Fossils, Shells, Minerals, and Miscellaneous Curiosities." 

There are five theatres in the city, viz : Park Theatre, Bowery, 
Chatham, Little Drury, and Olympic. The National Theatre was 
burnt down the present year, (1841.) 

The following is a list of the periodical publications issued in the 
city of New York. 

*' Quarterly publications. — Literary and Theological Review, 
Naval Magazine, New York Review and Quarterly Church Journal, 
New York Quarterly Magazine, Quarterly Anti-Slavery Magazine, 
Quarterly Christian Spectator, Tailors' Magazine, United Brethren's 
Missionarv Intellis^encer. 



334 



NEW YORK COUNTY. 



" Monthly publications. — American Monthly Magazine, Anti- 
Slavery Record, Children's Magazine, Home Missionary and Pastor's 
Journal, Human Rights, Journal of the American Institute, Knicker- 
bocker Magazine, Ladies' Companion, La Revue Francais, (French) 
Mechanics' Magazine, Missionary Herald, Mothers' Magazine, Mer- 
chants' Magazine, National Preacher, New York Farmer and Amer- 
ican Gardner's Magazine, Parley's Magazine, Sailor's Magazine, 
Sunday School Visiter, Tract Magazine, Youth's Friend, Family 
Magazine. 




View of the Astor House, Broadway. 

This splendid hotel, furnished with magnificence and taste, corres- 
ponding to its grandeur and simplicity, is the largest in the country, 
if not in the world. It was erected by John Jacob Astoi', at an ex- 
pense of about a million of dollars, and opened May 31st, 1836. It 
is built of Quincy granite, in a style remarkably massive, simple, and 
chaste, fronts 201 feet on Broadway, directly opposite the park, 154 
on Barclay-street, and 1464 on Vesey-street. It is 77 feet in height. 
The dining-room on Barclay-street is 100 feet by 40, and 19^ high. 
The house contains at times about 500 persons, and the basement is 
distributed into stores; and thus the establishment formsof itself, like 
the Palais Royal of Paris, an almost independent colony. 

The annexed account of the completion of the Erie Canal, October 
20th, 182.5, and the celebration of the event in New York city, is ex- 
tracted from newspapers published at the time. 

" The canal connecting the great lakes of North America with the Atlantic Ocean, is 
finished. On Wednesday, at 10 o'clock, A. M., the waters of Lake Erie were admitted at 
Buffalo, and the first boat from the lake commenced its voyage to New York. This joyful 
event was announced to the citizens of the state by the roar of cannon planted in a contin- 
ued line along the brinks of the canal and of the Hudson, at intervals of about eight miles, 
and extending from Buffalo to Sandy Hook, a distance of about 544 miles. The cannon 
were fired in succession, commencing at Buffalo at the moment of the entrance of the boat 
into the canal, and the intelligence thus communicated, reached this city precisely at twenty 
minutes past eleven o'clock, at which time a national salute was fired from the buttery, and 
this acknowledgement that we had received the intelligence was then immediately returned 
by the same line of cannon to Buffalo. Thus the work is finished ; the longest canal in 



NEW YORK COUNTY. 335 

the world is completed, and completed in the short space of eight years, by the single state 
of New York, a state which seventy years ago was a wilderness, thinly peopled by a little 
more than 100,000 souls." 

CANAL CELEBRATION. 

" The splendid exhibition in honor of the completion of the Erie Canal took place on 
Friday of last week, Nov. 4th. For several days previous, strangers from every part of the 
surrounding country had been crowding into the city to witness the interesting event. The 
day was reraarkaljly pleasant, and favorable for the display. The following account 
of the ceremonies which took place is from the Daily Advertiser : — 

" The Societies. — The procession formed agreeably to arrangement, and about half-past 
ten, moved down the west side of Greenwich-street to the battery, where it wheeljed and 
passed up the east side of Greenwich-street, &c., in the following order : 

" At the head were four buglemen on horseback, who preceded the — Agricultural and 
Horticultural Societies, many of whose members wore nosegays. — The Journeymen Tai- 
lors. — The Butchers, mounted and wearing aprons, with the banners of their society, and 2 
cars, each drawn by 4 horses. The first was covered with a roof, decorated, and contained 
a calf and a sheep ; the other a fine white ox and 4 large sheep, and over it, on a second 
stage, a sturfed ox, with several butchers' boys. — The Tanners' boys. — The Tanners had a 
car drawn by four horses, in which were several men at work tanning and currying leather, 
with hides hanging overhead. The Skinners followed with a banner, and then came 
I another banner with four horses, where a number of morocco dressers were at work on 
skins of all colors. — The Cordwainers had also a car drawn by 4 horses, on which were 6 
or 8 men seated at their benches, making shoes. — The Hatters' Society had a large banner 
with a portrait of St. Clement, and a car drawn by six horses, containing a shop, in which 
eight men were at work at the kettle, and others employed in the different operations of 
hat-making. A great number of small banners succeeded, bearing the names of the 
, western Lakes, great and small, and those of the principal towns in the western part of the 
I state and country; 24 boys mtiiching under the banners bearing 'Washington,' the 'United 
Stales of America,' and a portrait of Gov. Clinton, represented the states of the Union. 
I In a barouche rode the two oldest hatters and journeymen hatters in the city. Banner — 
I ' The heart is devoted to our country.' — The Bakers, with white hats. — The .lourneymen 
I Masons came next, and then the Coopers, with a car in which men were at work on bar- 
rels, &c. — The Chairmakers had a large chair over their banner, with two eagles following, 
I one large and gilt, with a miniature chair in his mouth. — The Potters came next, and then 
1 the Saddlers, with a pair of horses in harness, and 3 fine white ones with ladies', gentle- 
I men's, and military saddles, all of the most superb workmanship. The horses were led by 
( blacks in rich Moorish costumes — the insignia, implements, Slc, followed, with a rocking, 
horse saddled and bridled. — The Shipwrights had the model of a line of batde ship, mount- 
\ ed on wheels, and drawn by eight hoises. The officers and crew were represented by boys 
. in gay dresses, and flags and ensigns were hoisted on board. A banner bore ' Commerce is 
I ours;'' and a great number of others succeeded, on which were the names of our distin. 
' guished naval commanders. — The Boat-builder's Association had a model of a boat borne 
I by a carrier, and another drawn by horses. A car drawn by four horses, contained two 
j half-finished boats of considerable size, at which the workmen were employed, while 
j smoke was coming from the chimney where they warped their plank and timber. — The 
I Rope-makers had a ropewalk, in which a number of men and boys were employed in spin- 
ning and laying, all drawn by four horses. — The Comb-makers had also a shop, and men at 
work, &c., and after them came the General Society of Mechanics ; the Cabinet-makers 
with specimens of furniture, and the Apprentices' Library Association. — The New York 
Fire Department was represented by eight companies, Nos. 20, 42, 15, 13, 41, 32, 7, and 
4, with their engines, and several hook and ladder companies, with their implements raised 
aloft, and handsomely decorated. — The Printers' Society had a car drawn by horses, on 
which were mounted two presses. These were kept in operation, striking off copies of 
an Ode, which were distributed to the people from the car. — The Book-binders had a large 
volume bound m red morocco and gilt, labelled ' Erie Canal Statistics.' — After a full band 
of musicians in dresses of scarlet and gold, came the members of Columbia College, dress- 
ed in their Academic gowns ; and then a great number of military officers, and soldiers 
from the different city companies, followed by the Society of Free Masons. — The Tin Plate 
Workers had a car drawn by four gray horses, with a model of some of the locks on the 
canal, — a Canal boat, barge, &c., made of tin. 

" Aquatic Procession. — At eight o'clock the citizens were seen crowding in all directions 
on board the various steamboats which were announced to compose the fleet which was to 
proceed to the ocean. The steamboat Washington, under the command of Capt. Bunker, 



^ 1 



336 NEW YORK COUNTY. 

took the lead, on board of which the Hon. the Corporation, with the society of Cincinnati, 
the Rev. Clergy, of all denominations, the Army and Naval officers — all the consuls of 
Foreign nations — the judges of all our courts and many other citizens and strangers were 
guests. The steamboats Fulton, James Kent, Chancellor Livingston, and several others 
were also employed by the corporation to receive other guests, all which were filled with 
our most distinguished citizens — The safety barges Lady Chnton and Lady Van Rensse- 
laer, were most tastefully festooned with evergreens and flowers, and were exclusively ap. 
propriated to the ladies. At about 10 o'clock the signal was given for departure, and the 
boats all proceeded up the East river, and formed in a line, accompanied by the canal boats, 
when they wore round and proceeded down the bay. As the fleet passed the Battery they 
were saluted by the military, the revenue cutter, apd the castle on Governor's Island. As 
they proceeded, they were joined by the ship Hamlet, which had previously been dressed 
for the occasion with the flags of all nations, and on board of which were the Marine and 
Nautical societies, composed of all our most respectable shipmasters. As the fleet passed 
the Narrows, they were saluted by Forts Lafayette and Tompkins. They then proceeded 
to the United States schooner Dolphin, moored within Sandy Hook, where Gov. Clinton 
went through the ceremony of uniting the waters, by pouring that of Lake Erie into the 
Atlantic ; upon which he delivered the following address : — 

" ' This solemnity at this place on the first arrival of vessels from Lake Erie, is intended 
to indicate and commemorate the navigable communication, which has been accomplished 
between our Mediterranean seas and the Atlantic Ocean, in eight years, to the extent of 
more than four hundred and twenty-five miles, by the wisdom, public spirit, and energy of 
the people of the state of New York ; and may the God of the Heavens and the earth smile 
most propitiously on the work, and render it subservient to the best interests of the human 
race.' Dr. Mitchell then poured the contents of several vials, which he stated contained 
the waters of the Elbe, &lc. &,c., and delivered a long address, but the crowd was so great 
that but few were able to hear any part of it. The Hon. Mr. Colden presented to his honor 
the Mayor, a memoir which contains a brief history of the canal from its commencement 
to the present day. Salutes were then fired from the revenue cutter, the pilot boats, and 
several of the steamboats, and the procession returned to the city. 

" On the return from the excursion to Sandy Hook, the atmosphere was nearly clear, and 
the appearance of the steamboats was truly magnificent. Here were 26 of these vessels, 
splendidly equipped and decorated, moving in the most majestic manner, all crowded with 
passengers, and arranged in the most striking order. The packet ship Hamlet, which was 
generously oflered by Capt. Chandler for the use of the Marine and Nautical societies, made 
a splendid appearance, towed along in the line by steamboats, with her masts and rigging 
decorated by a fine display of flags of all nations. 

" Persons abroad may judge of the splendor of the celebration, when it is stated that 
there were displayed among the different societies, upwards of 200 banners and standards 
— many of them extremely splendid, and a large number painted expressly for the occasion. 

" It is with pleasure we state that the two British packets now at anchor in our port, sa- 
luted and cheered the line of steamboats as they passed ; instances of good feeling of this 
description should not be omitted to be recorded. The band in return played ' God save 
the king.' The whole line of steamboats landed their passengers at 3 o'clock, in time for 
them to form and join the procession of their fellow-citizens. 

" The festivities were concluded by fireworks in the evening, at the Battery, City Hall, 
and Vauxhall Garden, and by illuminations of some of the principal buildings in the city, — 
the City Hall, City Hotel, Theatre, Sikes' Hotel, &c. A large transparency was exhibited 
at the City Hall, representing the introduction of Neptune to the Lady of the Lakes by 
the Genius of Anierica. 

" We cannot help expressing our gratification, at observing among the thousands we saw 
in the streets during the day and evening, hardly a single instance of intoxication, and not 
one of unpleasant disturbance ; and so far as we could learn, no accident happened to mar 
the festivities of the day." 

Croton Aqueduct. — This great work, designed for the supply of the city of New York 
with pure and wholesome water, is at present constructing. Its whole length is 40^ miles. 
It is a long brick vault stretching from Croton to New York, descending at the rate of 
nearly 14 inches to the mile. Its dimensions are about 6 feet at bottom, 7 feet at top, and 
from 8 to 10 feet in height. The foundation is of stone, well laid, and the interstices filled 
up with rubble, and over this a bed of concrete composed of cement, broken stone and 
gravel, in due proportions, well mixed and combined together, except where the earth is 
of a compact and dry consistence, when the stone foundation is omitted, and the bed of 
concrete laid on the earth foundation. The side walls are of good building stone, 39 



NEW YORK COUNTV. 337 

inches thick at bottom, and 27 inches at top. These walls are laid in regular courses. The 
bottom of the aqueduct is an inverted arch, and the roof a semicircle ; both arches are 
formed of brick. All the materials used are the most perfect of their kind, and every pos- 
sibie pains taken in the construction. 

The work commences at Croton, about 5 miles above the mouth of the river. Here is to 
be the dam which will back the river for several miles, and will cover, exclusive of its pres- 
ent bed, 5 or 600 acres, and thus form the great reservoir, which will contain 100,000,000 
of gallons for each foot in depth from the surface. Inasmuch as the aqueduct is to 
maintain a uniform descent, extensive excavations or tunnels in passing through hills and 
heavy embankments, with culverts in crossing valleys, are required. Several of the tunnels 
are cut through solid rock at an enormous expense. The longest tunnel is the Manhattan 
hill tunnel near the village of Manhattanville, on New York Island ;, it is 1,215 feet in 
length. 

In crossing the Harlaem river the aqueduct encounters its most formidable impediment. 
" Owing to the great depression of the stream below the grade line, and the pecuhar in- 
clinations of its banks, the length of the aqueduct bridge will greatly exceed the width of 
the strait at its surface, (620 feet.) The bridge will be 1,420 feet in length, between the 
pipe chambers at either end ; 18 feet in width, inside of the parapet walls ; and 27 feet be- 
tween the outer edges of the coping ; 16 piers, built of stone laid in courses of uniform 
thickness. Of these, 6 will be in the river, and 10 on the land, (8 of which will be on the 
Westchester side of the strait.) The river piers will be 20 by 40 feet at base, and 84 feet 
in height, to the spring of the arch ; diminishing as they rise in height. The arches will 
have a span of 80 feet. The land piers will be proportionably less in size, their height va- 
rying according to the slope of the banks, and the span of these arches will be 50 feet each. 

" The central height of the arches over the stream is to be 100 feet above high- water 
level, in the clear ; and the distance from high tide to the top of the parapet walls will be 
116 feet. The total elevation of the structure, from its base at the bottom of the strait to 
the top of the parapet, will be about 138 feet. The piers and abutments will be carried up 
with pilasters to the top of the parapet, with a projection of two feet beyond the face of 
the work. Those piers to be erected in the water, will commence with solid rock, upon 
which the earthy bed of the stream reposes. The estimated cost of this structure is 
$755,130. 

" The bridge is intended for the support of iron pipes ; and these will be laid down, in 

I the first instance, two or three feet diameter, which it is supposed will be adequate for the 

supply of water to the city, for many years to come. The work however will be so ar- 

I ranged, as to admit the introduction, at any time hereafter, of two four-feet pipes, whose 

capacity will be equal to that of the grand trunk. The pipes will be protected from the 

action of the frost, by a covering of earth four feet in depth, well sodded on the surface. 

The aqueduct will discharge its water into the northern pipe chamber, whence it will pass 

over the bridge into the southern chamber, where the aqueduct resumes its course towards 

\ the city. At the distance of half a mile, the line crosses a ravine of 30 feet to the top line 

of the embankment ; and at a short distance beyond, it enters the Jumel tunnel, 234 feet 

in length ; and 6^ miles from the city. A ravine is passed soon after leaving the tunnel, 

25 feet below the grade line ; and soon after, another, still more formidable, presents itself; 

which required a foundation of 30 feet to elevate it to the grade. 

" The water will be conducted over the Manhattan valley by means of iron pipes or in- 
verted syphons. The depression of the valley is 105 feet below the grade line, and ar- 
rangements of pipe chambers, on each side of the valley, similar to that at Harlaem strait, 
will be adopted here. The pipes are to be laid on a foundation of stone, covered with a 
course of concrete masonry, six inches thick. After the pipes are laid, concrete is to be 
worked under them, as a support, 18 inches wide, and 12 high ; and the whole is to be 
protected with a covering of earth, to guard against frost and other injury. The aqueduct 
having terminated at one pipe chamber, on Manhattan hills, it re-commences at another on 
the Asylum Hill ; and after proceeding a short distance southward, enters the Asylum Hill 
tunnel 640 feet in length, which is the last. About three miles from the southern terminus 
of this Herculean work, the aqueduct commences its passage over several streets, the grading 
of which has a mean depression below that of the aqueduct, of about 40 feet ; this vale is 
to be passed by a bridge of a corresponding height. The line of aqueduct runs 100 feet 
east of the Ninth avenue ; and on the land, extending from one street to the other, a 
foundation wall is to be built of sufficient width and height to support the aqueduct. Over 
the carriage way and side-walks of each street, there will be circular arches turned. Nine- 
ty-sixth street, being 100 feet wide, will have two arches of 27 feet span, for the carriage 
way; and one arch of 14 feet span, on each side, for the side-walks. The other streets 
being only 60 feet in width, will each have an arch of 30 feet span for the carriage way, 
and one on each side of 10 feet span. TIto breadth over tlie arches to be 24 feet, 

43 



338 



NEW YORK COUNTY. 



" On the whole Une there will be ventilators placed at intervals of one mile apart ; and 
between each, triangular cavities, designed for the erection of additional ventilators, are 
left, covered with flag stone, and their location indicated by marble slabs. Some of the 
ventilators can be used as waste weirs and as entrances into the aqueduct. The next im. 
portant work is the receiving reservoir, 38 miles by the line of the aqueduct from its north, 
ern terminus. It covers 35 acres of ground, divided into two sections. The north section 
to have 20 feet of water when full, and the south 25 feet ; the whole reservoir will con. 
tain about 160,000,000 of gallons. From this reservoir the water will be conveyed through 
the Fifth avenue to the distributing basin, of about 5 acres, holding 20,000,000 of gallons, 
at Murray Hill, in Forty-second street, by means of pipes 30 inches in diameter. From 
Murray Hill the water will be conveyed to the city by the ordinary distributing pipes. The 
difference of level between the basin at Murray Hill and the pool at Croton, is about 46 
feet, being a fraction less than 14 inches to the mile. 

" About 26 miles of the aqueduct are now (April, 1840,) completed, and several other 
detached sections are nearly so. It must not, however, be inferred that the work still to be 
done is of but small amount ; on the contrary, the most difficult and expensive portions of 
it remain to be performed. According to the engineer's report, the whole work, with the 
exception of the bridge over Harlaem strait, will be completed and ready for use in the 
spring of 1842. The completion of the bridge cannot be expected before the close of 
1843 ; and it may and will probably be still further delayed. To diminish this delay, it is 
proposed to erect a temporary conduit pipe of suitable dimensions, as soon as the coffer 
dams at Harlaem will admit of it, by which means the city may have the benefit of the 
water, two or three years before a supply could be had by the Harlaem aqueduct bridge. 

" The original estimate of cost of this great work, was $4,718,197 ; but it will not fall 
short of $10,000,000;— $3,924,650 08 having been expended at the date of the last re. 
port, January 1st, 1840." 




Northern view of Harlem Tunnel. 

Harlem 8, Yorkville 5, and Manhattanville 9 miles from the City 
Hall, are small villages on Manhattan Island, and included within the 
city limits. The New York and Harlem railroad commences at the 
City Hall and extends to Fordham in Westchester county, 12^ miles 
from the city. By a late act of the legislature, (May 7, 1841,) the 
company have the privilege of extending it to the north line of West- 
chester county. " The road is laid with a double track, and is tra- 
versed for nearly three-fourths of its length, by steam power. Owing 
to the peculiar nature of the ground and the necessity for maintain- 
ing a nearly level grade, for a considerable part of the line, long and 



NEW YORK COUNTY. 339 

heavy cuts and embankments were required, which augmented the 
cost of construction far beyond that of any other similar work in 
this country. The whole cost of the work, including depots, motive 
and other power, &c., amounted to $1,100,000 or 3137,500 per mile. 
The receipts for fare by the company, during the year ending De- 
cember 31st, 1839, were $99,811. Notwithstanding the great'num- 
ber of persons conveyed on this road, about 1,200,000 annually, the 
directors have not as yet declared a dividend, and up to the 1st of 
January, 1840, the stockholders had not received a dollar from the 
work. The tunnel through which the line passes, is the most costly 
portion, as well as the most attractive feature of the road. Among 
the thousands who are almost daily conveyed through it, a vast ma- 
jority is impelled by a desire to examine the ' tunnel,' which, though 
excavated at an immense cost, ($90,000,) contributes, in no small de- 
gree, to increase the revenues of the company. The tunnel is cut 
through solid rock, which chiefly consists of quartz and hornblende 
of such a compact texture, that masonry is entirely dispensed with, 
even at the ends. It extends along the Fourth Avenue from 91st to 
94th streets, and is 595 feet in length, 24 in width, and 21 in depth 
from the crown of the arch. The fare on this road is as follows : to 
27th street, 6^ cents ; to Yorkville, 5 miles, 12^ cents ; to Harlem, 8 
miles, 183 cents ; and to Fordham, 12^ miles, 25 cents." 

" Peter Sttjyvesant, 
the last of the Dutch gov- 
ernors in New York, de- 
serves to be kept in re- 
membrance. He began 
his administration in 1647 ; 
and he exerted all his en- 
ergies to prevent the en- 
croachments of the Eng. 
Fac-siviile of PeCer Stuyvesant's signature. Ijsh and Swedes on the 

territory under his command. He was more successful with the latter than the former. In 
1655, he obliged the Swedes, at a place in Delaware bay, now called New Castle, to swear 
allegiance to the Dutch authority. But in 1664, Colonel Nichols, with an English fleet, 
arrived at New York, then called New Amsterdam, and compelled Governor Stuyvesant 
and his whole colony to surrender to their invaders. He however remained in the country 
until his death." — Blake's Biographical Dictionary. 

"Plis remains 'rest in hope' near by, in the family vault, once constructed within the 
walls of the second built Reformed Dutch church, which, for pious purposes, he had bui't at 
his personal expense on his own farm. The church is gone, but the place is occupied by 
the present church of St. Mark. On the outside wall of this latter church is the original 
stone designating the body of him whose rank and titles stood thus described, to wit : 

' In this vault, lies buried 

PETRUS STUYVESANT, 

late Captain General and Commander-in-chief of Amsterdam, 

in New Netherland, now called New York, and the 

Dutch West India Islands. 

Died in August, A.D. 1682, aged eighty years.'" 




"Philip Livingston was born at Albany, in January, 1716. He was educated at Yale 
College, in Connecticut, where he graduated in 1737. He then directed his attention to 
commercial pursuits; and, by his integrity, sagacity, and comprehensive views, laid the 
foundation, and erected the superstructure of extraordinary prosperity. 



340 



NEW YORK COUNTY. 



" He commenced his career in public life in 1754, as an alderman of the east ward of 
the city of New York ; and, in 1759, was returned by the freeholders of this city as a 
member of the assembly. In this body, he soon became conspicuous for his talents and 
devotedness to the interests of the people. In 1769, he declined an election for New York, 
and was returned a member of the house for the manor of Livingston. His liberal views, 
and powerful exertions in defending the rights of the citi/.ens, soon after rendered him ob. 
noxious to the governor; and, as a majority of the assembly were now under the influence 
of the crown, his seat in tJie house was vacated, by a vote of that body, on the plea of 
non-residence. 

" Mr. Livingston was chosen a member of the first congress, which met at Philadelphia, 
1774. He was, the following year, appointed president of the provincial congress, assem. 
bled at New York. In 1776, in conjunction with his colleagues, he affixed his signature 
to the Declaration of Independence, in behalf of the state of New York. 

" During the recesses of the general congress, he rendered important services in the or. 
ganization of the state government. In May, 1778, he took his seat in congress for the 
last time. Although feeble in body, and low in health, he consented to forego all consider, 
ations but those of patriotism ; and, at a distance from his family, willingly devoted to his 
country the last hours of his life. He expired on the 12th of June, at the age of sixty-two 
years." 



^^'^ -^^-^ 



" William Livingston, L L. D., governor 
of New Jersey, was born in the city of New 
York about the year 1723, and was graduated 
at Yale College, in 1741. He studied law, 
h-ac-^imile of William Livingston's signature. ^nd possessing an understanding of great en. 
ergy, a brilliant imagination, and a retentive memory, and devoting himself assiduously to 
the cultivation of his mind, he soon rose to distinction in the profession. He early exhib- 
ited himself ail able and zealoiis advocate of civil and religious liberty, and employed his 
pen in vindicating the rights of the colonies against the arbitrary claims of the British. 
After enjoying several important offices in New York, he removed to New Jersey, and as 
a representative of that state was one of the most distinguished of the congress of 1774. 
On tiie formation of a new constitution for that state in 1776, he was appointed the first 
governor, and was annually re-elected to the office till his death in 1790. He was charac. 
terized by simplicity in his manners, and ease, amiableness, and wit in his social intercourse. 
His writings display uncommon vigor, keenness, and refinement, and are often eloquent. 
He devoted himself, during the revolution, ardently to the cause of his country, and did 
much by the shrewdness and severity of his writings both to encourage his countrymen and 
exasperate the British. 

" Robert Fulton, eminent 
as the inventor of steamboats, 
was born in the town of Little 
Britain, Lancaster county, 
Pennsylvania, 1765. His pa. 
rents, who were Irish, were 
respectable, and gave him a 
common English education at 
Lancaster. He early exhibited 
yac-simile of Robert Fulton's signature. ^ superior talent for mechan- 

ism and painting, and in his eighteenth year estabHshed himself in the latter employment in 
Philadelphia, and obtained much credit and emolument by his portraits and landscapes. 
On entering his 22d year he went to England, for the purpose of improving his knowledge 
of that art, and was received into the family of Mr. West, with whom he spent several 
years, and cultivated a warm friendship. After leaving that family, he employed two years 
in Devonshire as a painter, and there became acquainted with the duke of Bridgewater 
and Lord Stanhope, the former famous for his canals, and the latter for his love of the me. 
chanic arts. He soon turned his attention to mechanics, particularly to the improvement 
of inland navigation by canals, and the use of steam for the propelling of boats ; and in 
1794 obtained patents for a double inclined plane, to be used for transportation, and an in. 
strument to be employed in excavating canals. He at this time professed himself a civil 
engineer, and published a treatise on canal navigation. He soon after went to France, 
and obtained a patent from the government for the improvements he had invented. He 
spent the succee'ding seven years in Paris, in the family of Mr. Joel Burlow, during which 




NEW YORK COUNTY. 341 

period he made himself acquainted with the French, Italian, and German languages, and 
Boon acquired a knowledge of the high mathematics, physics, chemistry, and perspective. 
He soon turned his attention to submarine navigation and explosion, and in 1801, under 
the patronage of the first consul, constructed a plunging boat, and torpedoes, (differing ma- 
terially from Bushnel's invention, with which he was acquainted,) with which he performed 
many experiments in the harbor of Brest, demonstrating the practicability of employing 
subaquatic explosion and navigation for the destruction of vessels. These inventions at. 
traded the attention of the British government, and overtures were made to him by the 
ministry which induced him to go to London, with the hope that they would avail them- 
selves of his machines; but a demonstration of their efficacy which he gave the ministry, 
by blowing up a vessel in their presence, led them to wish to suppress the invention rather 
than encourage it ; and accordingly they declined patronising him. During this period he 
also made many efforts to discover a method of successfully using the steam engine for the 
propelling of boats, and as early as 1793, made such experiments as inspired him with great 
confidence in its practicability. Robert R. Livingston, Esq., chancellor of New York, and 
minister of the United States to the French court, on his arrival in France, induced him to 
renew his attention to this subject, and embarked with him in making e.xperiments for the 
purpose of satisfying themselves of the possibility of employing steam in navigation. Mr. 
Fulton engaged with intense interest in the trial, and in 181)3, constructed a boat on the 
river Seine, at their joint expense, by which he fully evinced the practicability of propeUing 
boats by that agent. He immediately resolved to enrich his country with this invaluable 
discovery, and on returning to New York in 1806, commenced, in conjunction with Mr. 
Livingston, the construction of the first Fulton boat, which was launched in the spring of 
1807 from the ship-yard of Charles Browne, New York, and completed in August. This 
boat, which was called the Clermont,* demonstrated on the first experiment, to a host of, 
at first incredulous, but at length astonished spectators, the correctness of his expectations, 
and the value of his invention. Between this period and his death he superintended the 
erection of fourteen other steam vessels, and made great improvements in their construction." 
" I myself," says Judge Story, " have heard the illustrious inventor relate, in an animated 
and affecting manner, the history of his labors and discouragements : — ' When,' said he, ' I 
was building my first steamboat at New York, the project was viewed by the public either 
with indiflerence or with contempt as a visionary scheme. My friends indeed were civil, 
but they were shy. They listened with patience to my explanations, but with a settled 
cast of incredulity on their countenances. I felt the full force of the lamentation of the 
poet, — 

" Truths would you teach, to save a sinking land, 
All shun, none aid you, and few understand." 
As I had occasion to pass daily to and from the building yard while my boat was in pro. 
gress, I have often loitered unknown near the idle groups of strangers gathering in little 
circles, and heard various inquiries as to the object of this new vehicle. The language was 
uniformly that of scorn, sneer, or ridicule. The loud laugh rose at my expense, the dry 
jest, the wise calculation of losses and expenditures; the dull but endless repetition of the 
Fulton folly. Never did a single encouraging remark, a bright hope, or a warm wish, 
cross my path. Silence itself was but politeness veiling its doubts or hiding its reproaches. 
At length the day arrived when the experiment was to be got into operation. To me it 
was a most trying and interesting occasion. I invited many friends to go on board to wit- 
ness the first successful trip. Many of them did me the favor to attend as a matter of per. 
sonal respect ; but it was manifest they did it with reluctance, fearing to be partners of my 
mortification and not of my triumph. I was well aware that in my case there were many 
reasons to doubt of my own success. The machinery (like Fitch's before him) was new 
and ill made ; and many parts of it were constructed by mechanics unacquainted with such 
work, and unexpected difficulties might reasonably be presumed to present themselves from 
other causes. The moment arrived in which the word was to be given for the vessel to 
move. My friends were in groups on the deck. There was anxiety mixed with fear 
among them. They were silent, sad, and weary. I read in their looks nothing but disaster, 
and almost repented of my efforts. The signal was given, and the boat moved on a short 
distance and then stopped, and became immovable. To the silence of the preceding mo- 
ment now succeeded murmurs of discontent, and agitadons, and whispers, and shrugs. I 
could hear distincdy repeated, " J ioZti you it was so ; it is a foolish scheme; I wish we 
were well out of it." I elevated myself upon a platform and addressed the assembly. I 
stated that I knew not what was the matter; but if they would be quiet, and indulge mo 

* So named from the seat of the Livingston family. (See Clermont, Columbia county.) 



342 



NEW VORK COUNTY. 



for half an hour, I would either go on or abandon the voyage for that time. This short 
respite was conceded without objection. I went below and examined the machinery, and 
discovered that the cause was a slight maladjustment of some of the work. In a short 
period it was obviated. The boat was again put in motion. She continued to move on. 
All were still incredulous. None seemed willing to trust the evidence of their own senses. 
We left the fair city of New York ; we passed through the romantic and ever.varying 
scenery of the Highlands ; we descried the clustering houses of Albany ; we reached its 
shores; and then, even then, when all seemed achieved, I was the victim of disappoint, 
nient. Imagination superseded the influence of fact. It was then doubted if it could be 
done again ; or if done, it was doubted if it could be made of any great value.' " 




^il^S^^K- 




" The Clermont" FultorCs first American Steamboat, 

" Fulton obtained a patent for his inventions in navigation by steam in February, 1809, and 
another for some improvements in 1811. In the latter year he was appointed by the legis- 
lature of New York, one of the commissioners to explore a route for a canal from the great 
lakes to the Hudson, and engaged with zeal in the promotion of that great work. On 
the commencement of hostilities between the United States and Great Britain in 1812, he 
renewed his attention to submarine warfare, and contrived a method of discharging guns 
under water, for which ho obtained a patent. In 1814 he contrived an armed steam-ship 
for the defence of the harbor of New York, and also a submarine vessel, or plunging boat, 
of such dimensions as to carry 100 men, the plans of which being approved by government, 
he was authorized to construct them at the public expense. But before completing either 
of those works, he died suddenly, February 24th, 1815. His person was tall, slender, and 
well formed, his manners graceful and dignified, and his disposition generous. His attain- 
ments and inventions bespeak the high superiority of his talents. He was an accomplished 
painter, was profoundly versed in mechanics, and possessed an invention of great fertility, 
and which was always directed by an eminent share of good sense. His style as a writer 
was perspicuous and energetic. To him is to be ascribed the honor of inven'ing a method 
of successfully employing the steam engine in navigation, an invention justly considered 
one of the most important which has been made in modern ages, and by which he rendered 
himself both a perpetual and one of the greatest benefactors of mankind. He was not in- 
deed the first who conceived it to be possible ; others had believed its practicability, and 
made many attempts to propel boats by steam, but having neither his genius, his knowledge, 
nor his perseverance, they were totally unsuccessful. Mr. Fulton was familiarly acquainted 
with many of the most distinguished literary and political characters both of the United 
States and of Europe, was a director of the American academy of fine arts, and a member 
of several literary and philosophical societies." 



" Brockholst Livingston, judge of the supreme court of the United States, was the son 
of William Livingston, governor of New Jersey, and w'as born in the city of New York, 
November 25th, 1757. He entered Princeton college, but in 1776 left it for the field, and 
became one of the family of General Schuyler, commander of the northern army. He waa 



NEW YORK COUNTY. 



343 



afterward attached to the suite of general Arnold, with the rank of major, and shared in 
the honors of the conquest of Burgoyne. In 1779 he accompanied Mr. Jay to the court 
of Spain as his private secretary, and remained abroad about three years. On his return 
he devoted himself to law, and was admitted to practice in April, 1783. His talents were 
happily adapted to ihe profession, and soon raised him into notice, and ultimately to emi- 
nence. He was called to the bench of the supreme court of the state of New York, Jan- 
uary 8th, 1802, and in November, 1806, was transferred to that of the supreme court of 
the United States, the duties of which station he discharged with distinguished faithfulness 
and ability until his death, which took place during the sittings of the court at Washington, 
March 18th, 1823, in the 66th year of his age. He possessed a mind of uncommon acute- 
ness and energy, and enjoyed the reputation of an accomplished scholar, an able pleader and 
jurist, an upright judge, and a liberal patron of learning. 



^/^•^^^-^ 




Facsimile of Richard Montgomery'' s signature. 

" Richard MoNTGOMERy, a major-general in the army of the United States, was born in 
the north of Ireland, in 1737. He possessed an excellent genius, which was matured by a 
fine education. Entering tlie army of Great Britain, he successfully fought her battles, with 
Wolfe, at Quebec, in 1759 ; and on the very spot where he was, afterward, doomed to fall, 
when fighting against her, under the banners of freedom. 

" He early imbibed an attachment to America ; and, after his arrival in New York, pur- 
chased an estate, about one hundred miles from the city, and married a daughter of Judge 
Livingston. When the struggle with Great Britain connnenced, as he was known to have 
an ardent attachment to liberty, and had expressed his readiness to draw his sword on the 
eide of the colonies, the command of the continental forces, in the northern department, 
was intrusted to him and Gen. Schuyler, in the falli^f 1775. 

*' By the indisposition of Schuyler, the chief command devolved upon him in October. 
After a succession of splendid and important victories, he appeared before Quebec. In an 
attempt to storm the city, on the last of December, this brave commander fell, by a dis- 
charge of grape-shot, both of his aids being killed at the same time. In his fall, there was 
every circumstance united, that could impart fame and glory to the death of a soldier." 

" General Montgomery was gifted with fine abilities and had received an excellent educa- 
tion. His military talents especially were great ; his measures were taken with judgment 
and executed with vigor. The sorrow for his loss was heightened by the esteem which his 
amiable character had gained him. At the period of his death he was only thirty-eight 
years of age." 




^a^^€^^f 



" William Alexan- 
der, Lord Stirling, a 
major-general in the 
service of the United 
States during the revo. 
lutionary war, was born 
in the city of New 
Vac-simile of Lord Stirlivg's signature. York but passed a 

portion of his life in New Jersey. He was generally styled through courtesy Lord Stirling, 
in consequence of being considered by many as the rightful heir to the title and estates of 
an earldom in Scotland, from which country his father came, though the government re- 
fused to acknowledge the son's claim when, he repaired to Great Britain in pursuit of this 
inheritance. He was early remarkable for his fondness for mathematics and astronomy, in 
which sciences he made considerable progress. — Throughout the revolution he acted an im- 
portant part, and distinguished himself particularly in the battles of Long Island, German- 
town, and Monmouth. In the first, he was taken prisoner, after having, by a bold attack 
upon a corps commanded by Cornwallis, effected the escape of a large part of his detach- 
ment. In the second, his division, with the brigades of Generals Nash and Maxwell, formed 
the corps de reserve ; and in the last he commanded the left wing of the American army. 
He was always warmly attached to General Washington, and the cause which he had es- 
poused. He died at Albany, Jan. 15th, 1783, aged 57 years, leaving behind him the repu- 



344 NEW YORK COUNTY. 

tation of a brave, discerning, and intrepid officer, and an honest and a learned man."- 
Enclyclopedia Americana. 



(13^^ ^^^;^^^^2^ 




Facsimile of Alexander Hamilton's signature. 



" Alexander Hamilton was bom in 1757, in the island of Nevis, West Indies. His 
father was a native of England, and his mother of the island. At the age of sixteen, he 
became a student of Columbia college, his mother having emigrated to New York. He 
had not been in that institution more than a j'ear, before he gave a brilliant manifestation 
of the powers of his mind in the discussion concerning the rights of the colonies. In sup- 
port of these he published several essays, which were marked by such vigor and maturity 
of style, strength of argument, and wisdom and compass of views, that Mr. Jay, at that 
time in the meridian of life, was supposed to be the author. AVhen it had become neces. 
sary to unsheath the sword, the ardent spirit of young Hamilton would no longer allow him 
to remain in academic retirement ; and before the age of nineteen he entered the American 
army in the rank of captain of artillery. In this capacity he soon attracted the attention 
of the commander-in-chief, who appointed him his aid-de-camp, with the rank of lieutenant. 
colonel. This occurred in 1777, when he was not more than twenty years of age. From 
this time he continued the inseparable companion of Washington during the war, and was 
always consulted by him, and frequently by other public functionaries, on the most impor- 
tant occasions. He acted as his first aid-de-camp at the battles of Brandywine, German, 
town, and Monmouth, and at the siege of Yorktown he led, at his own request, the detach- 
ment that carried by assault one of th|J enemy's outworks, October 14, 1781. In this affair 
he displayed the most brilliant valor. 

" After the war. Col. Hamilton, then about twenty.four, commenced the study of the law, 
as he had at that time a wife and family depending upon him for support. He was soon 
admitted to the bar. In 1782, he was chosen a member of congress from the slate of New 
York, where he quickly acquired the greatest influence and distinction, and was always a 
member and sometimes chairman of those committees to which were confided such subjects 
as were deemed of vital interest to the nation. The reports which he prepared are remark- 
able for the correctness and power which characterize every effort of his pen. At the end 
of the session he returned to the practice of his profession in the city of New York, and 
became eminent at the bar. In 1786, he was chosen a member of the legislature of his 
state, and was mainly instrumental in preventing a serious collision between Vermont and 
New York, in consequence of a dispute concerning territorial jurisdiction. He was elected 
a delegate from New York to the convention which was to meet at Philadelphia, in order 
to form a constitution for the United States. As the doors of the convention were closed 
during its sitting, and its records were never given to the world, it is not possible to state 
the precise part which he acted in that body. It is well ascertained, however, that the 
country is at least as much indebted to him for the excellences of the constitution as to any 
other member of the illustrious assembly. Hamilton and Madison were ihe chief oracles 
and artificers. Afier the adoption of the constitution by the convention, he associated hin)- 
self with Mr. Madison and Mr. Jay, for the purpose of disposing the public to receive it 
with favor. The essays which they wrote with that design, addressed to the people of 
New York during the years 1787 and 1788, are well known under the name of the Fed- 
eralist, and coniributed powerfully to produce the effect for which they were composed. 
The larger portion of them was vvritten by Hamilton. In 1788, he was a member of the 
State convention of New York, which met to deliberate on the adoption of the federal 
constitution, and it was chiefly in consequence of his efforts that it was accepted. On the 
organization of the federal government in 1789, he was appointed to the office of secretary 
of the treasury. This was a situation which required the exercise of all the great powers 
of his mind, for the public credit was at that time at the lowest state of depression ; and as 
no statistical account of the country had ever been attempted, its fiscal resources were 
wholly unknown. But before Hamilton retired from the post, which he did after filling it 
somewhat more than five years, he had raised the pubhc credit to a height altogether uii. 



NEW YORK COUNTY. 345 

precedented in the history of the country ; and by the admirable system of finance which he 
established, had acquired the reputation of one of the greatest financiers of the age. His 
official reports to congress are considered as masterpieces, and the principles which he ad- 
vocated in them still continue to exercise a great influence in the revenue department of 
the American government. Whilst secretary of the treasury, he was ex officio one of the 
cabinet counsellors of President Washington ; and such was the confidence reposed by 
that great man in his integrity and ability, that he rarely ventured upon any executive act 
of moment without his concurrence. He was one of the principal advisers of the procla. 
mation of neutrality issued by Washington in 1793, in consequence of the attempt made 
by the minister of France to cause the United States to take part with his country in the 
war then raging between it and England. This measure he defended in a series of essays, 
under the signature of Pacijicus, which were successful in giving it popularity. In 1795, 
Hamilton resigned his office and retired to private life, in order to be better able to support 
a numerous family by the practice of his profession. In 1798, however, when an invasion 
was apprehended from the French, and a provisional army had been called into the field, 
his pubhc services were again required. President Adams had ofliered the chief command 
of the provisional army to Washington, who consented to accept in case Hamilton should 
be chosen second in command, with the title of inspector-general. This was accordingly 
done, and in a short time he succeeded in bringing the organization and disciphne of the 
army to a high degree of excellence. On the death of Washington in 1799, he succeeded 
of course to the chief command. The title of lieutenant-general, however, to which he was 
then entitled, was from some unexplained cause never conferred on him. 

" When the army was disbanded after the cessation of hostilities between the United 
States and France, General Hamilton returned again to the bar, and continued to practise 
with increased reputation and success until 1804. In June of that year he received a note 
from Col. Burr, — between whom and himself a political had become a personal enmity, — 
in which he was required, in offensive language, to acknowledge or disavow certain ex- 
pressions derogatory to the latter. The tone of the note was such as to cause him to refuse 
to do either, and a challenge was the consequence. July 11, the parties met at Hoboken, 
opposite New York, on the Jersey side of the Hudson, and on the first fire Hamilton fell 
mortally wounded, on the same spot where, a short time previously, his eldest son had been 
kil'.ed in a duel. He fingered until the afternoon of the following day, when he expired. 
The sensation which this excited throughout the United States had never been exceeded 
( on this continent. Men of all parties felt that the nation was deprived of its greatest orna. 
ment. His transcendent abilities were universally acknowledged. Every citizen was ready 
I to express confidence in his spirit of honor and his capacity for public service. Of all the 
I coadjutors and advisers of Washington, Hamilton was undoubtedly the one in whose 
I sagacity and judgment he reposed the greatest confidence, whether in the military or in the 
( civil career; and of all the American statesmen he displayed the most comprehensive un- 
I derstanding, and the most varied ability, whether apphed to subjects practical or speculative. 
\ A collection of his works was issued in New York in three octavo volumes, some years 
I after his death. His style is nervous, lucid, and elevated ; he excels in reasoning founded 
on general principles and historical experience. General Hamilton was regarded as the 
j head of the Federalists in the party divisions of the American republic. He was accused 
I of having preferred in the convention that framed the Federal constitution, a government 
I more akin to the monarchical ; he weakened the federal party by denouncing President 
I Adams, whose administration he disapproved, and whose fitness for office he questioned. 
But his general course and his confidential correspondence, show that he earnestly desired 
. to preserve the constitution, when it was adopted, and that his motives were patriotic in 
I his proceedings towards Mr. Adams. Certain it is, that no man labored more faithfully, 
I skilfully, and efficiently in organizing and putting into operation the federal government." — 
j Encyclopedia Americana, 

I The annexed inscriptions are copied from monuments in this city. 

\ The monument of Emmet is in St. Paul's churchyard, that of Mont- 
gomery is placed in front of the church itself The monuments of 
Alexander Hamilton and Captain James Lawrence, are in the old 
Trinity churchyard ; and the one of the Rev. Mr. Kunze, is in the 
Lutheran graveyard adjoining the Episcopal burying-ground in Hud- 
son-street. 

The monument erected to the memory of Thomas Addie Emmet, consists of one entire 

44 



346 



NEW YORK COUNTY. 



block of white marble, about thirty feet in height. On its face fronting Broadway is a me. 
dallion likeness of Emmet, in bas-relief, below which is the following inscription. 

"In memory of Thomas Addis Emmet, who exemplified in his 
conduct, and adorned by his integrity, the pohcy and the principles 
of the United Irishmen — ' To forward a brotherhood of affection, a 
community of rights, an identity of interests, and a union of power 
among Irishmen of every religious persuasion, as the only means 
of Ireland's chief good, an impartial and adequate representation in 
an Irish parliament.' For this (mysterious fate of virtue !) exiled 
from his native land, in America, the land of freedom, he found 
a second country, which paid his love, by reverencing his genius. 
Learned in our laws, and the laws of Europe, in the literature of our 
times, and in that of antiquity, all knowledge seemed subject to his 
use. An orator of the first order ; clear, copious, fervid, alike pow. 
erful to kindle the imagination, touch the affection?;, and sway the 
reason and the will ; simple in his tastes, unassuming in his man. 
ners, frank, generous, kind-hearted, and honorable ; his private life 
was beautiful, as his pubHc career was brilliant. — Anxious to per- 
petuate the name and example of such a man, alike by his genius, 
his virtues, and his fate ; consecrated to their affections by his perils, 
his sacrifices, and the deeper calamities of his kindred, in a just and 
holy cause ; his sympathizing countrymen erected this monument 
and cenotaph. Born at Cork, April twenty-fourth, 1764; he died 
in this city, November fourteenth, 1827." 

A figure of an American eagle is seen beneath this inscription 
resting on the Irish harp, which, as an emblem of the condition of 
Ireland, is represented as unstrung ; and surmounting these are two 
hands clasped together, on the bracelet of one of which, are the 
stars of our Union, on that of the other a wreath of shamrock. The 
following Latin inscription is on the face towards the church. 

" M + S. Thomas Addis Emmet, qui ingenio illustri, studiis al- 
tioribus, moribus integris, dignum se praestabat laudibus illis, illJl 
reverentia, illo amore quae semper eum viventem prosequebantur ; 
et subita illo erepto morte, universae in luctum civitatis se efluderunt. Quum raro extiterit 
vir naturaeve dotibus, doctrinaeve subsidiis omnibus illo instructior ; tum eloquenlia aha illd, 
et vera qualem olim mirabantur Roma Athenaeque, praecipue alios anteibat ; gravis, rarius, 
vehemens, fervidus, omnes, animi motus sic regere norit, uti eos qui audirent quo vellet et 
invitos impelleret. Hibernia natus, dilectam sibi patriam diu subjectam alieno, servis tan- 
tum ferendo jugo ad libertatem, ad sua jura vocare magno est a usus animo ; at praeclara et 
consilia et vota fefellere fata. Spe, non animo, dejectus nobilis exul ; et haec Americana 
hbens respublica ilium excepit, civemque, sibi gratulans adscivit ; dein haec civitas illi domus, 
haec patria fuit, haec gloriam illi auxit, haec spiritus ultimos recepit. Maerentium civium 
voluntas hoc exegit monumentum." 

The following inscription in the ancient Irish character and language faces Fulton-street. 
" He contemplated invaluable benefits for the land of his birth ; he gave eclat to the land 
of his death ; and received, in return, her love and admiration." 




Emmet's Monum,ent. 



" This monument is erected by the order of congress, 25th Jan., 1776, to transmit to pos- 
terity a grateful remembrance of the patriotism, conduct, enterprise, and perseverance, of 
Maj. Gen. Richard Montgomery, who after a series of successes amid the most discour- 
aging difficulties, fell in the attack on Quebec, 31st Dec, 1775, aged 37 years. — The State 
of New York caused the remains of Maj. Gen. Richard Montgomery to be conveyed from 
Quebec and deposited beneath this monument the 8th day of July, 1818." , 



" In memory of Captain James Lawrence, of the United States navy, who fell on the 
1st day of June, 1813, in the 32d year of his age, in the action between the frigates Chesa- 
peake and Shannon. He had distinguished himself on various occasions, but particularly 
when commanding the sloop of war Hornet, by capturing and sinking his Britannic Majes- 
ty's sloop of war Peacock, after a desperate action of 14 minutes. His bravery in action was 
only equalled by his modesty in triumph and his magnanimity to the vanquished. In private 
life, he was a gentleman of the most generous and endearing quahties, and so acknowledged 



NIAGARA COUNTY. 



S4^ 



was his public worth that the whole nation mourned his loss, and the enemy contended 
with his countrymen who most should honor his remains. — The Hero, whose remains are 
here deposited, with his expiring breath expressed his devotion to his country. Neither 
the fury of battle, the anguish of a mortal wound, nor the horrors of approaching death, 
could subdue his gallant spirit. His dying words were, ' Don't give up the ship !' " 



" Dan. 12, 3. Die lehrer aber werden leuchten wie des himmels glanz ; und die, so 
viele zur gerechtigkeit weisen, wie die sterne immer und ewiglich. Dem andenken ihres 
unvergeslichen lehrers des herrn Johann Christoph Kunze, doctor der theologie, professor 
der oriental sprachen, senior der Lutherischen geistlichkeit im New Yorker staat, und seit 
23 jahren prediger der Deuitseh Lutherischen gemeine in New York, die ihm diesen grab- 
stein als ein zeichen widniet ihrer verehrung und liebe. Er wurde gebohren im jahr, 1744, 
entschlief deu 24 July, 1807, so das sich sein alter auf 64 jahre belaUst. 

" Hier hegt ein knecht des hernn der seinen Jesum Uebte 
Ihm treu war bis in's grab, und manche seel gewan 
Dr'um denkt zu euren trost, die euch sein todt betrubte 
Wie trefen ihm einst dort hey unserm Jesus an." 

Translation. — Dan. 12, 3. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the 
firmament, and they that turn many to righteousness, as the stars, forever and forever. To 
the memory of their never to be forgotten pastor, John Christopher Kunze, D. D., profes- 
sor of the oriental languages, senior of the Lutheran clergy in the State of New York, and 
for 23 years pastor of the German Lutheran congregation in the city of New York, this 
stone is dedicated by the people of his late cliarge, in testimony of their veneration and 
love. He was born in the year 1744, and fell asleep 24 July, 1807, in the 64 year of his 
age. 

Here lies a servant of the Lord, who loved his Saviour, was faithful to the grave, and 
gathered many souls. Think, therefore, to your solace, ye who mourn his death, we shall 
find him with our Jesus. 



" To the memory of Alexander Hamilton. The corporation of Trinity church has 
erected this monument in testimony of their respect for the patriot of incorruptible integrity, 
the soldier of approved valor, the statesman of consummate wisdom, whose talents and 
virtues will be admired by grateful posterity long after this marble shall have mouldered 
into dust. He died July 12th, 1804, aged 47." 



NIAGARA COUNTY. 

Niagara county was taken from Genesee in 1808. Greatest length 
E. and W. 30; breadth N. and S. 21 miles. The word Niagara 
is of Indian origin, and signifies across the neck or strait. The 
streams are few, and with the exception of Eighteen Mile, Johnson's, 
and Tonawanta creeks, and Niagara river, are inconsiderable. In 
1796, exclusive of the occupants of Forts Niagara and Schlosser, 
there was but one white family in the territory now forming this 
county. The proposed line for a ship canal, from the Niagara river 
above the Falls to Lewiston, lies wholly within the county, com- 
mencing near Gill creek and the site of old Fort Schlosser. A rail- 
road runs from Lockport and another from Buffalo to the Niagara 
Falls. A branch has been made from Lewiston to intersect the 
Lockport and Niagara Falls railroad, a distance of about 2 miles. The 
Erie canal enters the Tonawanta creek near its mouth. The creek 



348 NIAGARA COUNTY. 

is used for 12 mfies as a canal by a tow-path on its bank. At Pen- 
dleton village, the canal leaves the creek and turns in a northeasterly 
direction across the mountain ridge, w^ith a deep cut of about three 
miles through rock averaging 20 feet ; and then descending 60 feet, 
by five double combined locks of 12 feet each, it passes out of the 
county south of the Ridge road. The county is divided into 12 
towns. Pop. 31,114. 

Cambria, organized in 1808, as part of Genesee county, and then 
embracing the whole country now forming Niagara county ; from 
Albany 288 miles. Pekin, 10 miles W. from Lockport, is a small 
settlement on the route of the railroad, on elevated ground, having a 
fine prospect to the northward. Pop. 2,100. 

Hartland, organized in 1812 ; bounds since changed ; from Alba- 
ny 270 miles. Hartland, 10 miles NE. from Lockport, and Johnson 
Creek 14 miles, are small villages on the Ridge road. Pop. 2,301. 

Lewiston, taken from Cambria in 1813; from Albany 293 miles. 
Lewiston village, upon the river, was surveyed in 1813 ; it is 7 miles 
N. of Niagara Falls, 27 from Buffalo, 7 S. of Lake Ontario, 18 W. 
of Lockport, 80 from Rochester. Pop. 2,543. It lies opposite 
Queenston, U. C. It is the port of entry for the Niagara collection 
district, and is on the Ridge road, elevated about a hundred feet 
above the river, at the foot of the mountain ridge portage, and at the 
head of the navigation, and contains about 70 dwellings. The chief 
export is lumber. Steamboats from the lake touch daily at the land- 
ing. There is a ferry across the river at Queenston, the passage 
of which, though safe, is somewhat appalling by reason of the rapidity 
and eddies of the stream. In the central part of this town, now 
intersected by the Niagara Falls and Lockport railroad, " 8 miles 
below the falls and 3 miles back from the river, is the reservation of 
the Tuscarora Indians, containing 2 miles in width by 4 in length, 
(about 5,000 acres,) of very excellent land. They consist of about 
300 souls ; have a Presbyterian church of 50 members, a resident 
clergyman, and a school teacher, and a temperance society of more 
than 100 members. They are under the care of the American Board 
of Foreign Missions. Their village is delightfully situated on a high 
bank, commanding an extensive prospect of the surrounding country 
and of Lake Ontario. These Indians came from North Carolina 
about the year 1712, and joined the confederacy of the Five Nations, 
themselves making the sixth. They formerly held a very valuable 
interest in land in North Carolina, but have recently sold it and divided 
the proceeds equally among themselves. Many of them are in very 
prosperous circumstances ; in 1834, one man raised and gathered 50 
acres of wheat. Visiters at the falls have been in the habit of going, 
sometimes in crowds, to this village on the Sabbath ; but the Indians, 
with their missionary, have often expressed their desire that visiters 
would not interrupt them at that time." 

The following is a northern view taken near the steamboat landing 
at Lewiston, showing in the distance Queenston Heights, distinguished 
as the battle-ground during the war of 1812. On the summit of the 



NIAGARA COUNTY. 



349 




Lewiston Landing, and Queenston Heights, U. C. 

elevated ground, 370 feet above the river, is seen Gen. Brock's mon- 
ument, constructed of freestone, at the expense of the provincial gov- 
ernment. The base is 20 feet square, and the shaft rises 126 feet 
from the ground ; from this eminence the country around, including 
the picturesque lake and river scenery, may be seen for fifty miles. 
The following is the inscription on the monument. 

" The legislature of Upper Canada has dedicated this monument to the many civil and 
military services of the late Sir James Brock, Knight commander of the Most Honorable 
Order of the Bath, Provincial Lieutenant Governor and Major-general, commanding His 
Majesty's forces therein. He fell in action, on the 13th of October, 1812, honored and 
beloved by those whom he governed, and deplored by his Sovereign, to whose services his 
life had been devoted. His remains are deposited in this vault, as also his Aid-de-camp, 
Lieutenant-colonel John McDonald, who died of his wounds the 14 of October, 1812, 
received the day before in action." 

Gen. Brock was killed at a spot about 80 rods down the hill, in a 
northwestern direction from the monument, near a cherry-tree. He 
was a brave officer, and fell at the head of his men while cheering 
them on to action. It is stated that when leading on his men, he 
laid his hand on his breast, exclaiming, " Here is a breast for your 
yankee balls — shoot me if you can ;" when mortally wounded, soon 
after, he took off his cravat and told one of his aids to deliver it to his 
sister. He was at first interred in the northeastern bastion of Fort 
George, and a 24 pound American cannon, captured with Hull, 
placed at his head. His remains were removed to Queenston 
Heights, on one of the anniversaries of the battle. — On the night of 
the 17th of April, 1840, some evil-minded and unknown persons en- 
deavored to blow up the monument by gunpowder. This disgraceful 
attempt was partially successful ; the keystone over the door was 
thrown out, and the structure itself was cracked up to nearly two 
thirds of its height. — The following account of the battle of Queens- 
ton is from the Albany Gazette, Oct. 20th, 1812. 

" At four o'clock, in the morning of the 13th inst. Col. Solomon Van Rensselaer, at the 
head of 300 militia, and Lieut. Col. Christie, at the head of 300 regulars of the 13th regi- 



350 NIAGARA COUNTY. 

ment, embarked in boats to dislodge the British from the heights of Queenston. They 
crossed under cover of a battery of two eighteen and two six pounders. Their movement 
was discovered almost at the instant of their departure from the American shore. The 
detachments landed under a heavy fire of artillery and musketry. Col. Van Rensselaer 
received a wound through his right thigh soon after landing, but proceeded on until he 
received two other flesh wounds in his thigh and the calf of one of his legs, and a severe 
contusion on one of his heels, when he ordered the detachments to march on and storm 
the first battery, and was himself carried off" the field. The order for storming was gallantly 
executed, and a severe conflict ensued. Lieut. Col. Christie received a severe wound in 
his hand, but got over the works. At this time both parties were reinforced. The enemy 
soon gave way and fled in every direction. Maj. Gen. Van Rensselaer crossed over to 
sustain the attack, and ascended the heights of Queenston, where he was attacked with 
great fury by several hundred Indians, who however were soon routed and driven into the 
woods. The reinforcements ordered over from the American side began to move tardily, 
and finally stopped. This induced the major-general to return, in order to accelerate their 
movements. He mounted a horse and used every exertion in his power to urge on the 
reinforcements, but in vain ; whereupon the general perceiving that a strong reinforcement 
v^^as advancing to support the British, ordered a retreat, but before the order reached Brig. 
Gen. Wadsworth, the battle was renewed by the enemy with great vigor and increased 
numbers, which compelled the Americans, whose strength and ammunition were nearly 
exhausted by hard fighting for eleven hours, and with very little intermission, to give way. 
The number of killed is considerable on both sides, but the Americans have lost many 
prisoners, including about 60 officers, most of whom are wounded. Among the prisoners 
are Lieut. Cols. Scott, Christie, and Fenwick, of the United States troops ; Gen. Wads, 
worth and Col. Stranahan of the militia. Maj. Gen. Brock, of the British, is among the 
slain, and his aid-de-camp mortally wounded. The whole number of Americans said to 
have been engaged, is about 1,600, of which 900 were regular troops and 700 militia. — 
On the 14th, an arrangement was made between Maj. Gen. Van Rensselaer and Gen. 
Sheafe for the liberation of all the mihtia prisoners on parole, not to serve during the war." 

The following, from the Albany Register, Extra, contains some 
additional particulars. 

" A large body of the enemy got behind a stone guard-house, in which was mounted a 
pair of heavy ordnance. Two eighteen pounders were directed against it, which raked 
them severely ; and at the 8th shot tumbled up a heap of men and dismounted one gun. 
They fled behind Judge Hamilton's store-house ; but our eighteens raked them from thence 
and they fled. By this time, about ten o'clock, the enemy's fire, except one gun out of 
reach, was silenced, and victory seemed complete. The general had passed over to the 
heights, but sent back to urge on the troops which were passing over to head the columns. 
At this time, however, the enemy received a reinforcement of several hundred of Chippe- 
way Indians, and commenced an attack with great fury. The rifle and the bayonet had 
scarcely put them to route, and drove them to the woods, when they were joined by a large 
reinforcement of regulars from Fort George. They renewed the attack, and the conflict 
became tremendous. It lasted about half an hour, when our valiant Spartan band, who 
had waded through blood anticipating victory, being exhausted in strength and ammunition, 
were obliged to yield the day. They had fought eleven hours without intermission." 

The loss of the Americans in this affair in killed, wounded, and 
missing, was estimated at 1,000; of this number about 90 are sup- 
posed to have been killed. The militia, previous to the action, insisted 
on being led on against the enemy to drive them from the Niagara 
peninsula, so that they could return home. Many of them threatened 
to leave the camp unless led to immediate action. After the com- 
mencement of the battle, the sight of the wounded, as they were 
brought across the river covered with blood, and the groans of the dy- 
ing, cooled their military ardor. They now appeared to have made the 
discovery that the constitution did not require theiTi to go beyond the 
limits of the United States. Rather than cross over to an enemy's 
country, be shot at, with a chance of being killed, or made cripples 
for life, they determined to forego their chance of obtaining military 



NIAGARA COUNTY. 



351 



honors. It is said that several hundred of the mihtia, after they had 
crossed over to the Canadian shore, availed themselves of the dark- 
ness and other facilities to hide themselves in the clefts of the rocks, 
M'here they remained in concealment during the day, and were only 
drao-fred by the legs from their lurking places by the British troops, 
after the surrender of the fighting part of the Americans. 

LocKPORT, formed from Royalton and Cambria in 1824; centrally 
distant from Albany by canal 333, from Rochester W. 63, from Buf- 
falo E. 30 miles, by road 24, and from Niagara Falls 20 miles. Pop. 
of the tovi^n, 9,162. Lockport village, incorporated in 1829, v^^as 
founded in the spring of 1821, by Mr. Sherard Comstock, deceased, 
who surveyed his farm of 100 acres into town lots. The first house 
was erected by Joseph Langdon, additions were soon made to the 
village plat, and in 1822 it became the county town. 




Northeastern view of the locks at Lockport, 

The above is a view of the five double locks on the Erie canal, 
(from which the village derives its name,) and part of the buildings 
in the vicinity. A new set of locks by the side of those represented 
in the engraving are now constructing, which will give increased 
facility to the passage of boats. The village contains about 500 
houses, 9 churches, and, according to the census of 1840, 5,711 
inhabitants. Its buildings, both public and private, are mostly built 
of the excellent stone which is here quarried. There is a bank and 
two newspaper establishments. The manufacture of flour is an im- 
portant branch of business in this place. The great abundance of 
water derived from Lake Erie, which is brought through the deep 
cut to the brow of the ridge, and all around the basin, is used for 



352 NIAGARA COUNTY. 

various mills and factories. The waste water of these mills, and of 
the locks of the sixty feet mountain ridge, after it has fulfilled its 
hydraulic operations in its descent to the basin, is there retained by a 
dam across the ravine, and forms the head or fountain to fill the long, 
or sixty-five mile level, and as such is chiefly relied on, though the 
Oak orchard, the Genesee, and other feeders are useful in their place. 

" The upper part of the village is about 80 feet above the level of 
the basin and long level of the canal. In moving up in a boat to the 
head of the basin to enter the chain of double locks, which are ar- 
ranged in the most massive style side by side, in huge chambers, 
with stone steps in the centre, guarded by iron railings for safety and 
convenience, the gates of the lock are closed after the boat is in the 
chamber, and the roaring and sudden influx of the water from the lock 
above, in three or four minutes raises the boat to the level of the lock 
above ; and this is repeated five times, the adjoining side lock being, 
perhaps, employed in letting a boat pass down the lock to the basin 
and canal. The boat having in this manner risen up 60 feet in five 
lifts, the passenger finds before him a vista of several miles, bounded 
on either hand by walls of the solid limestone rock, 25 to 30 feet 
high, and very appropriately called the ' Deep rock cutting at Lock' 
port: " 

New Fane, taken from Wilson, Hartland, and Somerset in 1824; 
from Albany 276 miles. Kempsville, a small village on Lake Ontario, 
12 miles N. of Lockport, is a place of considerable trade for lumber, 
wheat, &c. Charlotte, or New Fane Centre, is 7 miles from Lock- 
port. New Fane is a post-office. Pop. 2,375. 

Niagara was taken from Cambria in 1812, by the name of Schlos- 
ser; it was changed in 1816. The village of Niagara Falls is situated 
at the celebrated Falls of Niagara river, lat. 43° 6' N., long. 2° 6' W. 
The village was laid out by Augustas Porter, Esq., and others, in 
1805. It was at first called Manchester, afterward Niagara Falls. 
The village contains 2 churches, 2 splendid hotels, and 3 other pub- 
lic houses, 2 public schools, 80 dwellings of all kinds, and 500 inhabit- 
ants. Distance from Albany 290 miles, New York 440, Buffalo 22, 
Lockport 18, Chillicothe, Ohio, 403, Kingston, U. C, 200, Montreal 
388, Quebec 568, Detroit 332, Cincinnati 468, and Washington 703 
miles. Pop. 1,261. 

" The river Niagara is 35 miles in length, and flows northerly ; 
about midway between the two lakes it separates into two channels, 
forming Grand Island. A short distance below the union of these 
channels are the falls of Niagara, the grandest cataract in the world. 
Half a mile above the falls the river is a furious rapid, which sweeps 
away to certain destruction every thing involved in it. The river is 
here three quarters of a mile broad, and from this point it rushes 
down with increased velocity to the fall, where it leaps in an immense 
mass down a perpendicular precipice 160 feet in depth, with a roar 
heard in favorable states of the wind and atmosphere, 5, 10, 20 or 
even 30 miles. The cataract forms an irregular semicircle, the 
deepest hollow of which is called Horse-shoe Fall, and is on the 



NIAGARA COUNTY. 



3S3 




View of Niagara Falls from the American side. 

Canada side. At the brink of the fall stands a small island, called 
Goat Island, which separates the Canada from the American fall. A 
bridge is thrown across the falls from the American side to the island. 
On the British side, a few yards below, is a projection called Table 
Rock, commanding a magnificent view of the falls. From this rock 
a spiral staircase leads down to the foot of the cataract, where visit- 
ers may pass under the fall between the sheet of water and the rock. 
The path leads far under the excavated bank of the river, which in 
some places forms a roof overhanging 30 or 40 feet. The fall of 
such an immense mass of water produces violent whirls in the air, 
and the spray is driven out with such force that no one can approach 
the edge of the cataract without being drenched to the skin. It is 
difficult even to draw a breath here, and in entering this ti-emendous 
cavei'n, there is danger of being blinded by the strong driving showers 
of spray. The greatest distance to which it is possible to pass within 
this sheet of water is about 150 feet. The banks of the river for 

45 



354 NIAGARA COUNTY. 

several miles below the falls are perpendicular precipices of rock, and 
there is every reason to believe that the cataract was formerly much 
further down the river, the rock having gradually worn away to the 
present spot. A cloud of spray is continually rising from the foam 
of water, and exhibiting in the sunshine a brilliant rainbow." 

The above view of the falls was taken from the ferry, and shows 
on the left of Goat Island, and near to the spectator, the American 
fall, and to the right of the island and in the distance, the Crescent or 
Horse-shoe fall. The cataract on the American side is 164, and on 
the Canada side 158 feet in height. The stone tower seen in the 
view is connected with Goat Island by the Terrapin bridge, a struc- 
ture 300 feet in length, and projecting 10 feet over the falls. This 
tower, 45 feet in height, with winding steps to the top, was erected in 
1833, from which, or from the end of the bridge, the view is awfully 
sublime. Apart from the falls, this whole region is one of deep inter- 
est, from the other natural curiosities and the historical reminiscences 
with which it is connected. The visiter should not fail to visit the 
whirlpool in the Niagara river, 3 miles below the village. " A mile 
from the whirlpool, the road runs within a few feet of the river's 
bank, where a deep and gloomy chasm is rent or worn out of the 
rock. This is called the Devil's Hole, and the small stream which 
crosses the road and falls into the chasm, is the Bloody Run." In 
1759, during the old French and Indian war, a detachment of 100 
British regulars, who were conveying provisions, in wagons, to Fort 
Schlosser, were here surprised by a party of Indians in ambuscade. 
"Many of the soldiers were killed at the first discharge, and the 
others were thrown into hopeless confusion. The Indians fell like 
tigers upon the drivers, tomahawked them in their seats, and threw 
them under foot. The wagons were backed off the precipice, and 
men and cattle fell with their loading in one dismembered and muti- 
lated mass below. Some threw themselves from the bank, and fell 
mangled and dying on the rocks ; others lodged in the branches of 
the trees, where they remained, disabled, until the affray was over, 
when the savages, at their leisure, despatched ihcm." The brook 
that courses the bank ran red with the blood of the slain. Only four 
escaped to relate the horrible fate of their companions. Pieces of 
wagons and other relics of this bloody affray remained in this vicinity 
until within a few years, but have now mouldered away. 

The immediate vicinity of the falls is rendered memorable on ac- 
count of its being the place where a number of bloody battles were 
fought during the last war. The battle of Chippewa was fought on 
the 6th of July, 1814, at the village of that name, on the Canada side, 
about two miles from the falls. In July, the British and American 
forces being near each other, Gen. Ripley ordered Gen. Scott to 
make an advance on Chippewa. 

" On the morning of the fourth, General Scott advanced with his brigade and corps of 
artillery, and took a position on the Chippewa plain, half a mile in front of the village, his 
right resting on the river, and his front protected by a ravine. The British were encamped 
in force at the village. In the evening General Brown joined him with the reserve under 
General Ripley, and the artillery commanded by Major Hindman. General Porter arrived 



NIAGARA COUNTY. 355 

the next morning, with the New York and Pennsylvania volunteers, and a number of In- 
dians of the Six Nations. Early in the morning of the 5th, the British commenced a firing 
on the pickets. Captain Trott, who commanded one of them, hastily retreated, leaving 
one of his men wounded on the ground. General Brown instandy ordered him to retire 
from the army, and directed Captain Biddle to assume the command of the picket, lead it 
back to the ground, and bring off the wounded man ; which he accomplished without loss. 
At four in the afternoon, General Porter advanced, taking the woods in order to conceal 
his approach, and in the hope of bringing their pickets and scouting parties between his line of 
march and the American camp. In half an hour his advance met the light parties of the Brit, 
ish in the woods on the left. These were driven in, and Porter, advancing near Chippewa, 
met the whole British force approaching in order of battle. General Scott, with his brigade 
and Towson's artillery, met them on the plain, in front of the American encampment, and 
was directly engaged in close action with the main body. General Porter's command gave 
way, and fled in every direcdoa, by which Scott's left flank was entirely uncovered. Cap. 
tain Harris, with his dragoons, was ordered to stop the fugitives, at the ravine, and form 
them in front of the camp. The reserve were now ordered up, and General Ripley passed 
to the woods in left of the line to gain the rear of the enemy ; but before this was effected, 
General Scott had compelled the British to retire. Their whole line now fell back, and 
were eagerly pursued by the Americans. As soon as they reached the sloping ground de. 
scending towards the village, their lines broke, and they regained their works in disorder. 
The American troops pursued until within reach of the guns from the works ; when they 
desisted and returned to their camp. The British left two hundred dead on the ground, 
ninety-four wounded, beside those in the early part of the action, who were removed back 
to the camp, and fourteen prisoners. The American loss was sixty killed, and two hun- 
dred and sixty-eight wounded and missing." — Perkiii's Hist, of the Late War. 

The battle of Bridgewater or hundy's Lane, was fought on the 
25th of July. The principal scene of this bloody action, was at an 
obscure road, called Lundy's Lane, about half a mile westward from 
the Niagara cataract. " The thunder of the cannon, the roaring of 
the falls, the incessant discharge of musketry, the groans of the dying 
and wounded, during the six hours in which the parties were engaged 
in close combat, heightened by the circumstances of its being in the 
night, afforded such a scene as is rarely to be met with in the annals 
of slaughter. The evening was calm, and the moon shone with 
lustre when not enveloped in clouds of smoke from the firing of the 
contending armies." Since the retreat of the enemy from Chippewa, 
they had received reinforcements of troops from Lord Wellington's 
army in Spain ; and on the 25th of July, encamped on a hill, with 
the design of attacking the Americans the next morning. 

" On the 25th ult., the army under the command of Major Gen. Brown encamped above 
Chippewa, near the battle ground of the 5th. At 4 P. M., information was received that 
the enemy had thrown a body of troops across the Niagara, at the five-mile meadows ; but 
our commanding general was not diverted by this movement. The 1st brigade, under Brig. 
Gen. Scott, moved past Chippewa and halted at Bridgewater, a mile below Chippewa, in 
plain view of Niagara Falls. Gen. Scott learnt that the enemy, under Gen. Rial], was ap. 
preaching him. Batde was immediately given the enemy, near Mr. Wilson's, at half past 
4 P. M. ; their cannon were planted about 200 rods from this position on an eminence. 
The enemy's numerical force was much superior to Gen. Scott's ; his line was far extended, 
and he showed a disposition to flank. — In order to counteract these views of Gen. Riall, he 
was fought in detachments — he was charged in column; Gen. Scott being at the head of 
his troops in almost every charge. — Capt. Towson, with his company of artillery, attached 
to Scott's brigade, kept up his fire with great vigor and effect. The action was continued, 
and the ground maintained by Gen. Scott, for more than an hour, before the reserve under 
Gen. Ripley, and the volunteers under Gen. Porter, were successfully brought into action. 

" The ground was obstinately contested until past 9 o'clock, in the evening, when Gen. 
Brown perceiving that the enemy's artillery was most destructive, decided to storm the 
battery. Col. Miller,* the hero of Magagua, was ordered to this enterprise ; he approached 

* "^n receiving this order from Gen. Brown, Col. Miller calmly surveyed the position, and 



356 



NIAGARA COUNTY. 



the enemy's cannon with a quick step, and delivered his fire within a few paces of the 
enemy's line ; who, after receiving two or three rounds and a vigorous charge, retired to tlie 
• bottom of the hill, and abandoned his cannon. Only one piece was brought off the field 
for want of horses. The enemy now gave way and retreated ; they were followed some 
distance. Our army was now employed in securing the prisoners and bringing off" the 
wounded. — The cessation however was short : Lieut. General Drummond is supposed to 
have arrived at this interval with a reinforcement. The enemy renewed the action, whilst 
our iroops were busily employed in clearing the ground of the wounded ; but the gallant 
Americans formed with alacrity, and after a close engagement of 20 minutes, the enemy 
were repulsed. The army now efl^ected the removal of nearly if not all of the wounded, 
and retired from the ground, it being nearly 12 o'clock at night ; they returned to their en. 
campment in good order. On the morning of the 28th, our forces under Generals Ripley 
and Porter, reconnoitred the enemy near the battle ground, returned and burnt the Bridge, 
water mills, and all the enemy's barracks, and the bridge at Chippewa, and passed up the 
river to Fort Erie, where they made a stand. The enemy's force engaged must have been 
nearly 5,000 ; ours short of that number. Major-Gen. Riall was wounded, and taken in 
the rear of his army by Capt. Ketchum, together with one of his aids, the otlier being killed. 
" Major-Gen. Brown was severely wounded in the thigh (besides a contusion on his body) 
in the hottest of the action, but continued to command until the enemy retreated. Brig. 
Gen. Scott was also severely wounded by a grape in the shoulder, besides a severe bruise 
occasioned by a shell or cannon shot, having lost 2 horses, killed. Col. Brady 22d infan- 
try ; Majors Jessup 25 th, Leavenworth 9th, M'Niel lllh ; Brigade-major Smith; Lieuts. 
Campbell and Smouck, artillery; Lieut. Worth, aid to Gen. Scott; Lieut. Campllth; together 
with many others, whose names we have not learnt, were wounded, some badly. — The 
loss of the enemy in killed and wounded, was rising 800, exclusive of 200 regulars and 20 
officers prisoners. Our loss in killed, wounded, and missing, is from 6 to 700. Major 
M'Farland 23d, Capt. Ritchie, artillery, Capts. Kinney and Goodrich, Lieut. Bigelow, infan- 
try, and several other officers, killed ; Capt. Spencer, aid to Major-Gen. Brown, supposed to 
be mortally wounded ; Major Stanton, of the New York volunteers. Adj. Pew, of the Penn- 
sylvania volunteers, killed. Major Camp, of the staf}', lost two horses on the field, but es. 
caped a wound. Tbe 9th, 11th, and 25th, suffered very severely." 




View of Schlosser Landing, Niagara. 

The above is a northern view of the steamboat landing at Porter's 
storehouse, commonly called Schlosser Landing, upwards of two 

answered, " I icill try, sir.'" which expression was afterward the motto of his regiment. 
During the battle in the evening, Capt. Ambrose Spencer, son of the chief-justice of New 
York, and aid to Gen. Brown, was despatched with orders to one of the regiments; when 
about to deliver them, he suddenly found himself in contact with a British corps ; with great 
coolness and a firm air, he inquired what regiment is this? On being answered, the Boi/al 
Scots, he immediately replied, " Royal Scots, remain as you are." The conmiandant of tlie 
corp?, supposing the orders came from his commanding general, immediately halted his re- 
giment, and Captain Spencer rode off. Captain Spencer was afterward mortally wounded, 
and taken prisoner. Capt. Loring, the aid of Gen. Drummond, was also taken prisoner 
He was exchanged for the corpse of Capt. Spencer. 



NIAGARA COUNTY. 357 

miles from the falls. The site of old Fort Schlosser is nearly a 
mile below the landing : it was anciently a stoccade built upon banks 
slightly raised above the plain. The steamboat Caroline, the burn- 
ing of which has caused so much sensation on the frontiers, lay be- 
side the store-house represented in the engraving. Part of the village 
of Chippewa, on the opposite side of the Niagara river, is seen on the 
right in the extreme distance. Navy Island, so celebrated as a place 
of resort for the Canadian patriots, or rebels, as they are alternately 
called, is seen to the left beyond the store-house. The following is 
extracted from " De Veaux's Falls of Niagara." 

"About the middle of the month of December, 1837, twenty-eight men, principally Ca. 
nadians, with Rensselaer Van Rensselaer and William Lyon Mackenzie, went on Navy 
Island. They called to them the patriots of Canada, and all others the friends of that 
cause. In the space of three weeks, between three and four hundred responded to the 
call : some from the United States, and some from Canada. They brought with them arms 
and provisions. They staid on the island for one month, and then, at their own choice, 
left it, and not in fear of their opponents. Opposite to them, were assembled five thousand 
men, consisting of British regulars, incorporated militia, and a body of Indians and Negroes. 
Batteries were erected, and balls and shells were, at intervals, cast upon the island. The 
islanders were incessantly in a state of danger and alarm ; yet they would, at times, pro- 
vokingly return the fire ; still they remained unattacked. For a month, a raw, undisciplined 
band of men, in the severity of winter, with no shelter but such as they then constructed, 
and miserably clad, set at defiance and laughed at the overwhelming force, which lay so 
near to them that they frequently conversed together. 

" The steamboat Caroline came from Buffalo, on the 29th of December, it was said, to 
ply as a ferry-boat between Schlosser and Navy Island. It passed, that day, forth and back 
several times, and before sun-down was brought to at the wharf, at Schlosser, and moored 
for the night. At that place, there was but one house, and that a tavern. The warlike 
movements between the patriots and British, had drawn to the frontier, through motives of 
curiosity, a great number of persons. The tavern was crowded — lodgings could not be 
obtained — and several persons, observing the steamboat, sought for accommodations on 
board, and were received. In the middle of the night, the watch, for a watch on board 
steamboats is usually kept, saw something advancing on the water. He hailed, but before 
he could give the alarm, a body of armed men rushed on board, shot at the sentinel and 
all they met, crying — ' Cut them down!'' ' Give no quarter!^ No arms were on board of 
the boat ; no attack was expected ; and no resistance was made. Some got on shore un- 
injured ; others were severely cut and dangerously wounded. One man was shot dead on 
the wharf, and twelve were missing, either killed, or burnt and sunk with the boat. They 
towed the boat out in the river, and set it on fire ; the flames burst forth ; it drifted slowly, 
and its blaze shone far and wide over the water and adjacent shores. On the Canada side, 

Sa distance above Chippewa, was burning a large light, as a signal to those engaged in 
e expedition. In a short time, an astounding shout came booming over the water : it 
was for the success and return of those who had performed this deed. The beacon was 
extinguished. The Carohne still moved on, and cast its lurid light far and wide, clothing 
the scene in gloom and horror ; and just below the point of Iris Island, suddenly disap- 
peared. Many of the wrecked and charred remains were, the next morning, floating in 
the current and eddies below the falls." 

Pendleton, taken from Niagara in 1827 ; from Albany 284 miles. 
Pendleton is a small village, 7 miles SW. from Lockport, at the junc- 
tion of the Erie canal with the Tonawanta creek. Pop. 1,098. 

Porter, taken from Cambria in 1812; from Albany 304 miles. 
Pop. 2,175. Youngstown, port of delivery on the Niagara river, 1 
mile above Lake Ontario, 19 miles NW. from Lockport, has about 
40 dwellings. 

The following is a distant view of Fort Niagara as seen from near 
the lighthouse on the British side. The engraving from which the 
above was copied, was published during the last war, and shows its 



358 



NIAGARA COUNTY. 




Distant view of Fort Niagara. 

appearance at that per"'od. On the 19th of Dec, 1813, a British force 
of more than 1,200 men crossed over and took the fort by surprise. 
The garrison consisted of but 370, and the commander was absent, 
and the gates of the fort were open and unguarded. The result of the 
attack was as might have been expected — sixty-five of the garrison 
were killed ; twenty-seven pieces of ordnance and large quantities 
of military stores were taken. The following interesting historical 
account of this place, is taken from "De Veaux's Falls of Niagara," 
published in 1839. 

" This fortress is in latitude 43 deg. 14 sec. N. In 1679, a small spot was enclosed by 
palisades, by M. De Salle, an officer in the service of France. In 1725, the fort was 
built. In 1759, it was taken by the British, under Sir William Johnson. The capture has 
been ascribed to treachery, though there is not known to be any existing authority to prove 
the charge. In 1796, it was surrendered to the United States. On the 19th of December, 
1813, it was again taken by the British, by surprise ; and in March, 1815, again surren. 
dered to the Americans. This old fort is as much noted for enormity and crime, as for any 
good ever derived from it by the nation in occupation. While in the hands of the French, 
there is no doubt of its having been, at times, used as a prison ; its close and impregnable 
dungeons, where light was not admitted, and where remained, for many years after, clear 
traces, and a part of the ready instruments for execution, or for murder. During the Ameri 
can revolution, it was the head-quarters of all that was barbarous, unrelenting, and crueL 
There, were congregated the leaders and chiefs of those bands of murderers and miscreants, 
that carried death and destruction into the remote American settlements. There, civilized 
Europe revelled with savage America ; and ladies of education and refinement mingled in 
the society of those whose only distinction was to wield the bloody tomahawk and scalping, 
knife. There, the squaws of the forest were raised to eminence, and the most unholy 
unions between them and officers of the highest rank, smiled upon and countenanced. 
There, in their stronghold, like a nest of vultures, securely, for seven years, they sallied 
forth and preyed upon the distant settlements of the Mohawks and Susquehannahs. It was 
the depot of their plunder ; there they planned their forays, and there they returned to feast, 
until tiie hour of action came again. 

" Fort Niagara is in the state of New York, and stands on a point of land at the mouth 
of the Niagara river. It is a traditionary story, that the mess-house, which is a very strong 
building and the largest in the fort, was erected by stratagem. A considerable, though not 
powerful body of French troops, had arrived at the point. Their force was inferior to the 
surrounding Indians, of whom they were under some apprehensions. They obtained con- 
sent of the Indians to build a wigwam, and induced them, with some of their officers, to 
engage in an extensive hunt. The materials had been made ready, and, while the Indians 
were absent, the French built. When the parties returned, at night, they had advanced 
BO far with the work, as to cover their faces, and to defend 'hemselves against the savages, 
in case of an attack. In progress of time, it became a place of considerable strength. It had 



NIAGARA COUNTY. 359 

its bastions, ravines ; its ditch and pickets ; its curtains and counterscarp ; its covered way, 
drawbridge, raiiing-batteries ; its stone towers, laboratory, and magazine ; its mess-house, 
barracks, bakery, and blacksmith shop ; and, for worship, a chapel, with a large ancient 
dial over the door, to mark the hourly course of the sun. It was, indeed, a little city of 
Itself, and for a long period the greatest place south of Montreal, or west of Albany. The 
fortifications originally covered a space of about eight acres. At a few rods from the barrier 
gate, was the burying ground ; it was filled with memorials of the mutability of human hfe; 
and over the portals of the entrance was painted, in large and emphatic characters, the 
word ' REST.' 

" It is generally believed, that some of the distant fortresses of France were often con- 
verted into state prisons, as well as for defensive purposes. There was much about Fort 
Niagara, to establish the belief that it had been used as such. The dungeon of the mess- 
house, called the black-hole, was a strong, dark, and dismal place ; and in one corner of 
the room was fixed the apparatus for strangling such unhappy wretches as fell under the 
displeasure of the despotic rulers of those days. The walls of this dungeon, from top to 
bottom, had engraved upon them French names, and mementos in that language. That 
the prisoners were no common persons was clear, as the letters and emblems were chiselled 
out in good style. In June, 1812, when an attack was momentarily expected upon the fort 
by a superior British force, a merchant, resident at Fort Niagara, deposited some valuable 
articles in this dungeon. He took occasion, one night, to visit it with a light; he examined 
the walls, and there, among hundreds of French names, he saw his own family name en- 
graved in large let'ers. He took no notes, and has no recollection of the other names and 
memorials ; he intended to repeat his visit, and to extend his examination, but other avoca 
tions caused the subject to be neglected ; and it was not brought to mind again until of late 
years, when all was changed. In further corroboration that Fort Niagara had witnessed 
scenes of guilt and foul murder, was the fact that, in 1805, it became necessary to clear out 
an old sink attached to the mess-house. The bones of a female were found therein, evi- 
dently, from the place where discovered, the victim of some atrocious crime. 

" There were many legendary stories about the fort. In the centre of the mess-house 
was a well of wa'er, but, it having been poisoned by some of the former occupants, in lat- 
ter years the water was not used ; and it was a story with the soldiers, and believed by 
the superstitious, that at midnight the headless trunk of a French general officer was often 
seen sitting on the curb of the old well, where he had been murdered, and his body thrown 
in ; and, according to dreamers and money-diggers, large treasures, both in ^old and silver, 
have been buried in many of the nooks and corners of the old fort. Many applications 
used to be made to the American officers, to dig for money, and persons have been known 
to come from a considerable distance for that purpose. The requests were, of course, 
refused." 

RoYALTON, taken from Hartland in 1817; from Albany 268 miles. 
Middleport 12, Gasport 6, and Reynales Basin 7^ miles E. from 
Lockport, are all small villages on the canal. Royalton Centre is a 
small village centrally located. Pop. 3,557. 

Somerset, taken from Hartland in 1823; from Albany 280, from 
Lockport, NE., 14 miles. Somerset is a small settlement near the 
lake shore. Pop. 1,741. 

Wheatfield, recently taken from Niagara. The village of Tona- 
wanda, in Erie county, is partially on the SW. angle of the town on 
both sides of the Tonawanda creek, and on the lines of the Buffalo 
and Niagara Falls railroad and Erie canal. Pop. 1,048. 

Wilson, taken from Porter in 1818 ; from Albany 294 miles. 
Wilson is a small village, 13 miles NW. from Lockport, and IJ miles 
from Lake Ontario, upon the lake road. Pop. 1,753. 



360 ONEIDA COUNTY. 



ONEIDA COUNTY. 



Oneida county was taken from Herkimer in 1789 ; since much re- 
duced by the formation of other counties. Oneida is a corruption of 
the Indian word Oneiyuta, signifying upright or standing stone. 
Greatest length N. and S. 47, greatest breadth E. and W. 40 miles. 
From New York NW. 252, from Albany 107 miles. The surface 
has just diversity and unevenness enough to form a pleasing variety, 
and to supply brisk streams of pure water, and a salubrious atmos- 
phere. Hardly a farm is without perpetual streams and brooks. 
The northeast and southern parts approach a hilly character, a wa- 
ving surface with an easy swell ; the northwest part is tolerably level, 
and the central richly variegated with easy undulations. The soil is 
of various qualities, but everywhere rich and productive. The cot 
ton and woollen manufactures are carried on here more extensively 
than in any other county in the state. The Erie canal crosses this 
county, following the south side of the Mohawk river to Rome, and 
there turns southwestward into Madison county. This section of the 
canal is part of the long level OO^ miles in length, extending from 
Frankfort in Herkimer county to Syracuse in Onondaga. The route 
of the Chenango canal, which unites the Susquehannah river with the 
Erie canal, leaves the latter at Utica, passing thence into the valley 
of the Oriskany, and thence follows the same into the county of Mad- 
ison. Another canal is also commenced, uniting the Black river with 
the Erie canal ; it leaves the latter at Rome, and follows thence up 
the valley of the Mohawk, and crosses the dividing ridge between 
the waters of the same and the Black river in the town of Boonville. 
Parts of the Utica and Schenectady, and Utica and Syracuse railroads, 
are in this county. The county buildings are located at Whitesbo- 
rough, Utica, and Rome. The county is divided into 25 towns and 
the city of Utica. Pop. 85,345. 

Annsville, taken from Lee, Florence, Camden, and Vienna, in 
1823; from Albany 112, from Rome NW. 10 miles. Pop. 1,765. 
Taberg is a small post village. 

Augusta, organized in 1798, and settled in 1794; Oriskany Falls 
or Casety Hollow, 21 miles, and Augusta 18 miles SW. from Utica, 
are small villages. The Oriskany Falls, a cascade of 50 or 60 feet, 
are at Casety Hollow. The Chenango canal passes through the vil- 
lage. Knox's Corners is a small settlement. Pop. 2,175. 

Boonville, taken from Ley den of Lewis county in 1805; NW. 
from Albany 110 miles. Boonville, in the northern part of the town 
on the Black river road, 26 miles N. from Utica, contains about 40 
dwellings. Ava is a post-office. Pop. 5.519. 

Bridgewater, organized in 1797 as part of Herkimer county ; from 
Albany 81 miles. Bridgewater, an incorporated village upon the 
Unadilla river, 18 miles S. from Utica, has about 40 dwellings. Pop. 
1,418. 



ONEIDA COUNTY. 



361 



Camden, taken from Mexico in Oswego county in 1799 ; from Al- 
bany 127 miles. This town was settled about 1808 by New England 
farmers. Camden, 17 miles NW. of Rome, was incorporated in 1834, 
and contains about 50 dwellings. West Camden is a post-office. 
Pop. 2,329. 

Deerfield, organized in 1798 ; from Albany 100 miles. Deerfield 
village is connected with Utica by a causeway a mile in length, and 
a bridge across the Mohawk. North Gage is a post-office. Pop. 
3,120. The soil on the river flats in this town is of great fertility. 

Florence, the NW. town of the county, was taken from Camden 
in 1805 ; from Albany 121, from Rome 28, and from Utica 43 miles. 
Pop. 1,259. 

Floyd, taken from Steuben as part of Herkimer county in 1796; 
from Albany 100 miles. Floyd's Corners is a small settlement 12 
miles NW. from Utica. This town was named after William Floyd, 
one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Pop. 1,741. 




Distant view of Hamilton College, Kirkland, 

KiRKLAND was taken from Paris in 1827. It was settled by Moses 
Foote, Esq., in company with ten families, in 1787. It has a fertile 
soil, and its surface is diversified with hills and valleys. Pop. 2,984. 
Clinton, the principal settlement in this town, is 9 miles from Utica, 
on the Chenango canal. The village consists of about 50 dwellings, 
1 Congregational, 1 Baptist, and 1 Universalist church, 2 academies, 
and 2 seminaries for females. The annexed engraving shows the ap- 
pearance of the Hamilton college buildings as seen from the canal in 
Clinton village, about one mile and a half distant, beautifully situated 
on a commanding eminence westward of the Oriskany valley, over- 
looking the village, having a delightful distant prospect. The col- 
lege buildings consist of three stone buildings four stories high, for 
study, lodging-rooms, a chapel. President's dwelling-house, boarding 
and servants' house, and 41 acres of land. This institution was estab- 
lished in 1812. The original cost of the college grounds and build- 
ings was about .$80,000. " The college in 1834 raised by subscrip- 

46 



362 



ONEIDA COUNTY. 



tion the sum of $50,000 ; forming a fund for the payment of the sal- 
aries of the officers. WilHam 11. Maynard, who died in Sept. lvS32, 
bequeathed to it $20,000, to endow a professorship of law ; and S. 
N. Dexter, Esq., of Whitestown, in 1836, gave $15,000 for endowing 
a professorship." 

The annexed is a view of the " Clinton Liberal Institute" in the 
village of Clinton. This building is built of gray stone 96 by 52 feet, 




Clinton Liberal Institute, Kirkland. 

four stories in height besides the basement. The building for the fe- 
male department is of wood, 40 by 25 feet, 2 stories. This institu- 
tion was incorporated in 1834, and placed under the visitation of the 
Regents of the University in 1836. 

The Rev. Samuel Kirkland, from whom this town derives its name, 
was the son of Rev. Mr. Kirkland, of Norwich, Connecticut. This 
devoted missionary was for a time a member of Mr. Wheelock's 
school, and afterward finished his education at the college in New 
Jersey, where he graduated in 1765. The next year, (1766,) he 
commenced his mission among the Oneidas, laboring and living with 
them and endearing himself to them by his attention and eftbrts to do 
them good. Upon the breaking out of the revolutionary war, the 
Six Nations, with the exception of the Oneidas, who were mostly un- 
der the influence of Mr. Kirkland, joined the British cause. The in- 
testine war which now took place forced Mr. Kirkland to remove 
his family from this region, but he himself continued his labors among 
the Oneidas as opportunities offered, and by his influence a firm friend- 
ship was maintained between them and the Americans. During a 
portion of the war he officiated as chaplain to the American forces 
in the vicinity ; he also accompanied the expedition of Gen. Sullivan, 
in 1779, through the western part of the state. 

After the conclusion of the war, the state of New York, in con- 
sideration of his valuable services during the revolution, granted to 
him the lands lying in the town of Kirkland, known as Kirkland's 
patent, upon a portion of which, Hamilton College stands. To these 
lands he removed his family in 1792, and fixed his residence near the 



ONEIDA COUNTY. 363 

village of Clinton, where he continued till his death, March 28th, 
1808, in the sixty-seventh year of his age. The labors of Mr. Kirk- 
land among the Oneidas, were in many instances attended with hap- 
py consequences ; a large portion of the nation ultimately professed 
to believe in the Christian religion, and many of them appeared de- 
voted Christians, among whom was the venerable chief Skenandoa. 
About the year 1791, Mr. Kirkland conceived the project of estab- 
lishing a seminary which should be accessible to the Indian youth 
as well as the whites. Through his exertions a charter of incorpo- 
ration was obtained for the institution in 1793, under the name of 
" Hamilton Oneida Academy." In 1794 a building was erected, 
which for many years afterward continued to be known as Oneida 
Hall, till the seminary was raised to the rank of a college, with the 
style of Hamilton college. Mr. Kirkland was a generous benefactor 
of this institution, and expended much of his time and means in pro- 
moting its interests. 

The following account of the death of Skenandoa, the Oneida 
chief, and the " white man's friend," was published in the Utica Pa- 
triot, March 19th, 1816. In a few particulars it is abridged. 

"Died at his residence, near Oneida Castle, on Monday, 11th inst., Skenandoa, the eel- 
ebrated Oneida chief, aged 110 years : well known in the wars which occurred while we 
were British colonies,' and in the contest which issued in our independence, as the undevi. 
ating friend of the people of the United States. He was very savage and addicted to 
drunkenness* in his youth, but by his own reflections and the benevolent instruction of the 
late Rev. Mr. Kirkland, missionary to his tribe, he hved a reformed man for more than 
sixty years, and died in Christian hope. From attachment to Mr. Kirkland he had always 
expressed a strong desire to be buried near his minister and father, that he might (to use 
his own expression,) ' Go up with him at the great resurrection? At the approach of death, 
after listening to the prayers which were read at his bed-side by his great-granddaughter, 
he again repeated the request. Accordingly, the family of Mr. Kirkland having received 
information by a runner that Skenandoa was dead, in compliance with a previous promise, 
sent assistance to the Indians that the corpse might be carried to the village of Clinton for 
burial. Divine service was attended at the meeting-house in Clinton on Wednesday at 2 
o'clock, P. M. An address was made to the Indians by the Rev. Dr. Backus, President of 
Hamilton college, which was interpreted by Judge Deane, of Westmoreland. Prayer was 
then offered and appropriate psalms sung. After service, the concourse which had assem- 
bled from respect to the deceased chief, or from the singularity of the occasion, moved to 
the grave in the following order : — 

Students of Hamilton College, 

CORPSE, 

Indians, 

Mrs. Kirkland and family, 

Judge Deane, — Rev. Dr. Norton — Rev. Mr. Ayre, 

Officers of Hamilton College, 

Citizens, 

"After interment, the only surviving son of the deceased, self-moved, returned thanks, 
through Judge Deane as interpreter, to the people for the respect shown to his father on 
the occasion, and to Mrs. Kirkland and family for their kind and friendly attention. 

" Skenandoa's person was tall, well made, and robust. His countenance was intelligent, 

* In the year 1755 Skenandoa was present at a treaty made in Albany. At night he 
was excessively drunk, and in the morning found himself in the street, stripped of all his 
ornaments and every article of clothing. His pride revolted at his self-degradation, and he 
resolved that he would never again deliver himself over to the power of strong water. 



364 ONEIDA COUNTY. 

and displayed all the peculiar dignity of an Indian chief. In his youth he was a brave and 
intrepid warrior, and in his riper years one of the noblest counsellors among the North 
American tribes ; he possessed a vigorous mind, and was alike sagacious, active, and perse, 
vering. As an enemy, he was terrible. As a friend and ally, he was mild and gentle in 
his disposition, and faithful to his engagements. His vigilance once preserved from massa. 
ere the inhabitants of the little settlement at German Flats. In the revolutionary war his 
influence induced the Oneidas to take up arms in favor of the Americans. Among the In- 
dians he was distinguished by the appellation of the ' white man's friend.' 

" Although he could speak but little Enghsh, and in his extreme old age was blind, yet 
his company was sought. In conversation he was highly decorous ; evincing that he had 
profited by seeing civilized and polished society, and by mingUng with good company in 
his better days. 

" To a friend who called on him a short time since, he thus expressed himself by an in- 
terpreter : ' I am an aged hemlock. The winds of an hundred winters have whistled 
through my branches ; I am dead at the top. The generation to which I belonged have 
run away and left me : why I live, the Great Good Spirit only knows. Pray to my Jesus 
that I may have patience to wait for my appointed time to die.' 

" Honored Chief! His prayer was answered ; he was cheerful and resigned to the last. 
For several years he kept his dress for the grave prepared. Once and again, and again, he 
came to Clinton to die : longing that his soul might be with Christ, and his body in the 
narrow house near his beloved Christian teacher. While the ambitious but vulgar great, 
look principally to sculptured monuments and to riches in the temple of earthly fame ; 
Skenandoa, in the spirit of the only real nobility, stood with his loins girded, waiting the 
coming of the Lord." 

The following inscriptions are copied from monuments in the 
Hamilton College grave-yard : — 

" Skenandoa. This monument is erected by the Northern Missionary Society, in 
testimony of their respect for the memory of Skenandoa, who died in the peace and hope 
of the gospel, on the 11th of March, 1816. Wise, eloquent, and brave, he long swayed 
the councils of his tribe, whose confidence and affection he eminently enjoyed. In the 
war which placed the Canadas under the crown of Great Britain he was actively engaged 
against the French : in that of the revolution, he espoused that of the colonies, and ever 
afterward remained a firm friend to the United States. Under the ministry of the Rev. 
Mr. Kirkland he embraced the doctrines of the gospel, and having exhibited their power in 
a long life adorned by every Christian virtue, he fell asleep in Jesus at the advanced age of 
one hundred years." 



" H. S. E. Azel Backus, STD., vir pietate insignia omni doctrina excultus, Evangelii 
minister fervidus et praeclarus Collegii Hamiltonensis fuit Praeses semper dilligentissimus 
et alumnis carissimus. In eo, summa in homines benevolentia, misericordia incorrupta 
fides, nudaque Veritas : conjux superstes dolet. Et omnes quibus vivens ille fuit natus. 
Lugent et plorant. — Memoriae Praesidis dilectissimi et venerandi, curatores Collegii Hamil- 
tonensis : Hoc monumentum prosuerunt. — Ecclesiae apud Bethlem, Conn., Pastor Annos 
xxii. Coll. Ham. Praeses iv. — De vita decessit Die Dec. duodetricesimo, Anno Domini, 
MDCCCXVI. iEt. LII." 

[Here lies buried, Azel Backus, DD., a man of remarkable piety and learning, a zealous 
minister of the gospel, a distinguished President of Hamilton College ; a man of extraor- 
dinary diligence, and greatly endeared to the members of the institution. In him were 
conspicuous the highest benevolence towards his fellow men, uncorruptible integrity, and 
uncompromising truth. His wife survives to lament his loss : and all who knew him mourn 
also. The corporation of Hamilton College have erected this monument to the memory of 
their beloved and venerated President. He was pastor of the church in Bethlem, Conn., 
22 years. President of Hamilton College, 4. He departed this life December 28th, AD. 
1816, aged 52 years.] 



" H. S. Quod potuit mori Sethi Norton, A.M., Linguarum Professoris in CoUegio Ham- 
iltonensi ; Sui brevem vitae cursum Literis deditus cum magno studio Praeceptoris Peritissi- 
mus et carissimus cucurrit. Et in mediis laboribus maximo sui desiderio subitae morti sue 
cubuit Dec. 7th, 1818, ^tatis Anno 40. Linguarum fuit Professor Annos 6. Curatores 
Collegii Hamiltonensis Hoc monumentum ponendum curaverunt." 



ONEIDA COUNTY. 365 

f" Here is buried all that was mortal of Seth Norton, M.A., Professor of Languages in 
Hamilton College. Devoted to learning, he ran his brief career with great zeal as an in- 
structor, skilful and endeared to all. In the midst of his labors, he was overtaken by sud- 
den death, to the great lamentation of those who knew him. He died December 7, 1818, 
in the 40th year of his age. He was Professor of Languages during six years. The cor- 
poration of Hamilton College have erected this monument."] 

Lee, taken from Western in 1811 ; from Albany 115, from Rome 
N. 8 miles. Stokes or Nisbet's Corners and Portage are villages, 
Lee and Delta post-offices. Pop. 2,936. 

Marcy, taken from Deerfield in 1832 ; from Utica NW. centrally 
distant 7 miles. Pop. 1,799. 

Marshall, taken from Kirkland in 1819; from Albany 110, from 
Rome S. 16 miles. Marshall, Canning, and Deans ville are post vil- 
lages. The Waterville branch of the Oriskany falls here within half 
a mile 50 feet. There is in the valley a remnant of the Brothertown 
Indians, some of whom are comparatively civilized and wealthy. 
Pop. 2,251. 

New Hartford, taken from Whitestown in 1827; from Albany 
100 miles. New Hartford, a substantial village near the line of the 
Chenango canal, 4 miles SW. from Utica, contains about 100 dwel- 
lings, a number of mills and manufacturing establishments. Middle 
Settlement, 6| miles from Utica, is a small settlement. Pop. 3,819. 

Jedediah Sanger, Esq., was one of the first settlers of the village 
of New Hartford. " He possessed an active, vigorous, and enter- 
prising mind, governed and controlled by unimpeachable integrity, 
and a high sense of moral obligation, placed him at once in a con- 
spicuous station among the inhabitants of the vicinity. Immediately 
after his establishment, he erected a grist-mill on the site of the pres- 
ent paper-mill in the village of New Hartford, then the second mill 
established in the vicinity. By a judicious and liberal encourage- 
ment to emigrants, and particularly mechanics, he succeeded in build- 
ing up a village, which, for many years, contested the palm of supe- 
riority and importance with any of her neighbors. The office of 
first judge of Oneida county he continued to hold from its organiza- 
tion until the year 1810. He several times occupied a seat in the 
legislature, and in the various offices in which he was called to act, 
served with equal credit to himself and usefulness to the community. 
To his beneficence the Episcopal church in New Hartford is indebted 
for a valuable permanent fund to aid in the support of its minister." 

The Rev. Dan Bradley was settled as a pastor in this place in 
1791, and continued his care of the church for several years. He 
was succeeded by the Rev. Mr. Johnson ; and in honor of the occa- 
sion of his induction to the pastoral office, according to a custom 
which sounds singular in our ears, but which was introduced from 
New England, the exercises were concluded by an ordination hall. 

The following anecdote, having a connection with the first court 
held in this county, is taken from a publication in a pamphlet form by 
William Tracy, Esq., entitled " Notices of Men and Events, connect- 
ed with the early history of Oneida county :" — 



366 ONEIDA COUNTY. 

" On the 19th of January, 1793, an act was passed authorizing every alternate term of 
the court of common pleas of Herkimer county to be held at such place in Whitestown, 
as should by the courts be directed by orders to be entered in the minutes. The first court 
held in this county under this provision was held in a barn, in New Hartford, belonging to 
the late Judge Sanger, (New Hartford then forming a part of the town of Whitestown,) in 
the month of October, in the year 1793, Judge Staring presiding, and the late Judge Piatt, 
then clerk of the county of Oneida, officiating as clerk. The sheriff of Herkimer county 
at that day was a Colonel Colbraith — an Irishman, who, in the war, had done some service 
to his adopted country, and had acquired his title as a militia officer since the peace. His 
education had not been conducted with especial reference to the usages of what is techni- 
cally called good society ; and indeed, his manners bore unequivocal evidence that they 
originated from a native mind of genuine good humor and a most capacious soul, rather 
than from the arbitrary rules of a professor of polite breeding. A gentleman who attended 
the court as a spectator informed me that the day was one of the damp, chilly days we fre. 
quently have in October, and that in the afternoon and when it was nearly night, in order 
to comfort themselves in their by no means very well appointed court-room, and to keep 
their vital blood at a temperature at which it would continue to circulate, some of the gen- 
tlemen of the bar had induced the sheriff to procure from a neighboring inn a jug of spir. 
its. This, it must be remembered, was before the invention of temperance societies, and 
we may not, therefore, pass too hasty an opinion upon the propriety of the measure. Upon 
the jug appearing in court, it was passed around the bar table, and each of the learned 
counsellors in his turn upraised the elegant vessel and decanted into his mouth, by the sim- 
plest process imaginable, so much as he deemed a sufficient dose of the delicious fluid. 
While the operation was going on, the dignitaries on the bench, who were no doubt suf- 
fering quite as much from the chilliness of the weather as their brethren of the bar, had a 
little consultation, when the first Judge announced to the audience that the court saw no 
reason why they should continue to hold open there any longer and freeze to death, and 
desired the crier forthwith to adjourn the court. Before, however, this functionary could 
commence with a single, 'Hear ye,' Colonel Colbraith jumped up, catching, as he rose, the 
jug from the lawyer who was complimenting its contents, and holding it up towards the 
bench, hastily ejaculated — ' Oh no, no, no. Judge — don't adjourn yet — take a little gin. 
Judge — that vfiil keep you warm — 'tant time to adjourn yet ;' and suiting the action to the 
word, he handed his Honor the jug. It appeared that there was force in the Sheriffs ad. 
vice ; for the order to adjourn was revoked, and the business went on." 

Paris was taken from Whitestown in 1792 ; from Albany 85 miles. 
This town was named by the inhabitants in grateful acknowledg- 
ment of the kindness of Mr. Isaac Paris, a merchant of Fort Plain, 
who in the year of scarcity, 1789, supplied them with Virginia corn 
on a liberal credit, and finally accepted payment in such produce as 
they were enabled to supply. Famine is now the least dreaded here 
of all evils. Paris Hill has about 30 dwellings. Paris Furnace and 
Paris Hollow are small villages. Sauquoit, on the creek 9 miles south 
from Utica, is a manufacturing village, containing about 100 dwel- 
lings. Near this village is a burning spring. Large quantities of 
limestone are obtained here, and used for building materials at Utica 
and elsewhere. Pop. 2,844. 

Remsen, taken from Norway in 1798 ; bounds since altered ; from 
Albany 100 miles. Settlements were made in this town in 1798 by 
22 families. Remsen village, in the southern part of the town, is 17 
miles north from Utica. Pop. 1,648. 

Rome, one of the shiretowns of Oneida county, was incorporated in 
1796. The surface of the township is level or gently undulating, 
and watered by the Mohawk river, and by Wood and Fish creeks. 
The village of Rome, occupying the site of old Fort Stanwix, was 
incorporated in 1819. The two first white families who located 
themselves at this spot, were those of two men from German Flats, 



ONEIDA COUNTY. 367 

named Roof and Brodock, who settled at the landing place on the 
Mohawk in the vicinity of Fort Stanwix, to gain a livelihood by 
assisting in the transportation of goods destined for the Indian trade, 
across the carrying place from the river to Wood creek. They held 
no title to their lands, but occupied them under a contract for their 
purchase from Oliver Delancy, one of the proprietors of the Oriskany 
patent, who was afterward attainted of treason. This little outpost, 
however, was broken up during the revolutionary war. The first 
regular settlement of Rome was by emigrants from the New England 
states. 



Southern view of Rome. 

The above is a southern view of part of the village as viewed from 
the railroad track. The building seen on the right having four chim- 
neys is but a few yards distant from the central part of the fortifica- 
tions of the old fort, the cellar of which is still to be seen. The 
Black river canal passes a few rods this side of the buildings seen in 
the engraving ; the Erie canal is about half a mile westward of the 
village. Mohawk river and Wood creek, at this place, approach 
within a mile of each other ; in 1797, a canal was completed between 
the two streams, thus connecting the waters of the Mohawk with 
those of Lake Ontario. The village consists of upwards of 300 
dwellings, 2 Presbyterian, 2 Baptist, 1 Episcopal, and 1 Methodist 
church, an academy incorporated in 1835, a bank, printing office 
and a number of select schools. The United States arsenal ana 
barracks, sufficient for a regiment, were erected here in 1813, under 
the direction of Maj. James Dalliba. Rome is situated on the sum- 
mit level between the ocean and Lake Ontario, four hundred and 
thirty-five feet above tide at Albany ; lat. 43° 12' ; long. 1° 27' W. 
from New York. Distant from Albany 112, from Utica 12 miles. 
Pop. 5,680. 

Fort Stanwix, named from Gen. Stanwix, was originally erected 
in the year 1758, during the French war. It occupied a position 
commanding the carrying place between the navigable waters of the 
Mohawk and Wood creek, and was regarded as the key to the com- 



368 ONEIDA COUNTY. 

munication between Canada and the settlements on the Mohawk. 
" It was originally a square fort, having four bastions surmounted by 
a broad and deep ditch, with a covert way and glacis. In the centre 
of the ditch a row of perpendicular pickets was planted, and another 
horizontal row fixed around the ramparts. But although the princi- 
pal fortress had been erected at the enormous expense for those times 
of $266,400, yet at the commencement of the revolutionary war the 
whole was in ruins. On the incursion of Burgoyne from Montreal 
towards Albany, a detachment of the invading forces, under the com- 
mand of Col. St. Leger, consisting of 200 British troops, a regiment 
of loyalists, and a large body of Indians under Brant, the great cap- 
tain of the Six Nations, went up the St. Lawrence, then to Oswego, 
and from thence to Fort Stanwix. From this point it was intended 
to pass down the Mohawk and join the forces of Burgoyne at Albany. 
Gen. Schuyler, who had the command of the northwestern frontier, 
sent Col. Dayton to repair the works at Fort Stanwix. He seems to 
have done little towards effecting this object ; he however thought 
proper to change its name to Fort Schuyler, which name it retained 
during the war. Gen. Peter Gansevoort was afterward sent to 
supply his place. On the 3d of August, Col. St. Leger arrived be- 
fore the fort with his whole force, consisting of a motley collection 
of British regulars, Hessians, Tories, and about one thousand Indians. 
The garrison, under Col. Gansevoort, consisted of about 750 men. 
Soon after his arrival, St. Leger sent a flag into the fort with a mani- 
festo, advising submission to the mercy of the king, and denouncing 
severe vengeance against those who should continue in their ' unnatu- 
ral rebellion.' This manifesto produced no effect on the brave garri- 
son, who had determined to defend the fortress to the last extremity. 
At the time of the battle of Oriskany, [see Whitestown,] when Gen. 
Herkimer was advancing to the relief of the fort, a diversion was 
made in his favor, by a sortie of 250 men, under the command of 
Col. Willet. Such was the impetuosity of Willet's movements, that 
Sir John Johnson and his regiment, who lay near the fort with his 
Indian allies, sought safety in flight. The amount of spoil found in 
the enemy's camp was so great that Willet sent hastily for wagons 
to convey it away. The spoil thus captured, twenty wagon loads, 
consisted of camp equipage, clothing, blankets, stores, &c., five 
British standards, and the baggage and papers of most of the officers. 
For this brilliant exploit, congress directed that Col. Willet should be 
presented with an elegant sword in the name of the United States. 

The siege of the fort still continued, and the situation of the garri- 
son, though not desperate, began to be somewhat critical. Col. Wil- 
let and Maj. Stockwell readily undertook the hazardous mission of 
passmg through the enemy's lines to arouse their countrymen to their 
relief. After creeping on their hands and knees through the enemy's 
encampment, and adopting various arts of concealment, they pursued 
their way through swamps and pathless woods, until they arrived 
safely at German Flats, and from thence to the head-quarters of 
Gen. Schuyler, then commanding the American army at Stillwater 



ONEIDA COUNTY. 369 

Gen. Arnold was immediately despatched with a body of troops to the 
relief of Col. Gansevoort.* As he was advancing up the Mohawk, 
he captured a tory by the name of Hon-yost Schuyler, who being a 
spy, was condemned to death. Hon-yost " was one of the coarsest 
and most ignorant men in the valley, appearing scarce half removed 
from idiocy ; and yet there was no small share of shrewdness in his 
character." He was promised his life if he would go to the enemy, 
particularly the Indians, and alarm them by announcing that a large 
army of the Americans was in full march to destroy them, &c, Hon- 
yost being acquainted with many of the Indians, gladly accepted the 
offer ; one of his brothers was detained as a hostage for his fidelity, 
and was to be hung if he proved treacherous. A friendly Oneida 
Indian was let into the secret, and cheerfully embarked in the design. 
Upon Hon-yost's arrival, he told a lamentable story of his being 
taken by Arnold, and of his escape from being hanged. He showed 
them also several shot-holes in his coat, which he said were made by 
bullets fired at him when making his escape. Knowing the character 
of the Indians, he communicated his intelligence to them in a mysteri- 
ous and imposing manner. When asked the number of men which Ar- 
nold had, he shook his head mysteriously and pointed upward to the 
leaves of the trees. Thefee reports spread rapidly through the camps. 
Meantime the friendly Oneida arrived with a belt and confirmed what 
Hon-yost had said, hinting that a bird had brought him intelligence 
of great moment. On his way to the camp of the besiegers he had 
fallen in with two or three Indians of his acquaintance, who readily 
engaged in furthering his design. These sagacious fellows dropped 
into the camp as if by accident : they spoke of warriors in great num- 
bers rapidly advancing against them. The Americans, it was stated, 
did not wish to injure the Indians, but if they continued with the 

* A short time previous to the investment of the fortress the following singular incident 
occurred. — " Capt. Greg went with two of his soldiers into the w^oods a short distance to 
shoot pigeons ; a party of Indians started suddenly from concealment in the bushes, shot 
them all down, tomahawked and scalped them, and left them for dead. The captain, after 
some time revived, and perceiving his men were killed, himself robbed of his scalp, and 
suffering extreme agony from his numerous wounds, made an effort to move and lay his 
bleeding head on one of the dead bodies, expecting soon to expire. A faithful dog who 
accompanied him manifested great agitation, and in the tenderest manner licked his 
wounds, which afforded him great relief from exquisite distress. He then directed the dog, 
as if a human being, to go in search of some person to come to his relief. The anima), 
with every appearance of anxiety, ran about a mile, when he met with two men fishing in 
the river, and endeavored in the most moving manner, by whining and piteous cries, to 
prevail on them to follow him into the woods. Struck with the singular conduct of the dog, 
they were induced to follow him part of the way, but fearing some decoy, or danger, they 
were about to return, when the dog, fixing his eyes on them, renewed his entreaties by his 
cries, and taking hold of their clothes with his teeth, prevailed on them to follow him to the 
fatal spot. Such was the remarkable fidelity and sagacity of this animal. Capt. Greg was 
immediately carried to the fort, where his wounds were dressed ; he was afterward re. 
moved to our hospital, and put under my care. He was a most frightful spectacle, the 
whole of his scalp was removed ; in two places on the fore part of his head, the tomahawk 
had penetrated through the skull ; there was a wound on his back with the same instru. 
ment, besides a wound in his side and another through his arm by a musket ball. This 
unfortunate man, after suffering extremely for a long time, finally recovered, and appeared 
to be well satif^fied in having his scalp restored to him, though uncovered with hair." — 
Thacher^s Military Journal. 

47 



370 ONEIDA COUNTY. 

British they must all share one common fate. The Indians were 
thoroughly alarmed, and determined on an immediate flight, being 
already disgusted with the British service. Col. St. Leger exhorted, 
argued, and made enticing offers to the Indians to remain, but all in 
vain. He attempted to get them drunk, but they refused to drink. 
When he found them determined to go, he urged them to move in 
the rear of his army ; but they charged him with a design to sacri- 
fice them to his safety. In a mixture of rage and despair, he broke 
up his encampment with such haste, that he left his tents, cannon, and 
stores to the besieged. The friendly Oneida accompanied the flying 
army, and being naturally a wag, he engaged his companions who 
were in the secret, to repeat at proper intervals the cry, " They are 
coming! ihey are comirig !" This appalling cry quickened the flight 
of the fugitives wherever it was heard. The soldiers threw away 
their packs ; and the commanders took care not to be in the rear. 
After much fatigue and mortification, they finally reached Oneida 
Lake ; and there probably, for the first time, felt secure from the 
pursuit of their enemies. From this place St. Leger hastened with 
his scattered forces back to Oswego, and thence to Montreal. 

Hon-yost, after accompanying the flying army as far as the estuary 
of Wood creek, left them and returned to Fort Schuyler, and gave 
the first information to Colonel Gansevoort of the approach of Ar- 
nold. From thence he proceeded to German Flats, and on presenting 
himself at Fort Dayton his brother was discharged. He soon after 
rejoined the British standard, attaching himself to the forces under 
Sir John Johnson. 

The following inscriptions are copied from monuments in the vil- 
lage graveyard. 

"In memory of the Hon. Joshua Hathaway, more than 40 years a resident of this town. 
He was born at Suffield, Ct., Aug. 13, 1761 ; graduated at Yale college in 1787, and died 
at Rome, Dec. 8, 1836. — ' Requiescat in pace.' — As a husband and father, ever worthy, 
loved, and venerated. As a man and Christian, upright and exemplary ; a friend to the 
needy and the injured; and a father in the church. As a magistrate and judge, by the 
grace of God, an executor of justice, and maintainer of the truth, ' a terror to evil-doers, and 
praise to such as did well.' As a patriot, he bore arms in two wars for his country ; and 
sustained at all times the cause of the people with zeal and fidelity. As a citizen, ever 
active and enterprising for the benefit of our common country, and among the foremost for 
the improvement of this favored portion of it ; to him was assigned the honor of breaking 
ground on commencing that great and beneficial work, the Erie canal, July 4th, 1817. In 
the various relations of life, he fulfilled its duties as in the fear of God, with faithfulness, 
ability, and honesty of purpose. He died lamented — ' the memory of the just is blessed.' " 



" To the memory of Capt. Samuel Perkins, who departed this life at the United States 
arsenal, Rome, Dec. 30, 1837, in the 75th year of his age. He entered the service of his 
country during the war of the revolution, when he was but 14 years old, and served till its 
independence was gained. He was actively engaged in the Indian campaign of 1795, 
under Gen. Wayne. He also participated in, and rendered valuable services during the 
late war with Great Britain. After which, retiring from active duties, he held for 18 years 
the station of ordnance storekeeper, and died in the public service. In every situation 
of his life was remarkably exemplified that just sentiment, ' an honest man is the noblest 
work of God.' " 

Sangerfield, taken from Paris in 1795 ; from Albany 94, SW. from 
Utica 18 miles. It was settled in 1793, and named after Judge Jede- 



ONEIDA COUNTY. 



371 



diah Sanger, one of the primitive settlers in this part of the country. 
In 1804, it was annexed to Oneida county. Waterville, in the north 
part of the town, contains about 70 dwellings, and is adorned by a 
handsome public square. Sangerfield is a small settlement. Pop. 
2,251. 

Steuben, principally settled by Welsh emigrants, and taken from 
Whitestown when part of Herkimer county ; NW. from Albany 
110, from Utica N. 20, and from Rome NE. 15 miles. Pop. 1,993. 

The principal part of this town was granted by the state to Baron 
Steuben, for his services during the revolutionary war. He resided 
here on his farm until his death. He was buried beneath an ever- 
green he had selected to overshadow his grave. Afterward a new 
road was laid over the spot, and his remains were removed to a 
neighboring grove in this town, situated about 7 miles NW. of the 
Trenton Falls. 




Grave of Baron Steuben. 

His grave is protected by a neat monument erected in 1826 by 
private subscription, and shown in the above engraving. On it is 
the brief inscription. Major General Frederick William Augustus 
Baron de Steuben. Baron Steuben resided in a log house about a 
quarter of a mile south of his burial place. He lived there during the 
summers and cultivated his farm, but in the winters resided in New 
York. The following sketch is from Allen's Biographical Dictionary. 

" Frederick William Baron de Steuben, a major-general in the American army, was 
a Prussian officer, who served many years in the armies of Frederick the Great, was one 
of his aids, and had held the rank of heutenant-general. He amved in New Hampshire 
from Marseilles in November, 1777, wiih strong recommendations to congress. He claimed 
no rank, and only requested permission to render as a volunteer what services he could to 
the American army. He was soon appointed to the office of inspector-general, with the 
rank of major-general. He established an uniform system of manoeuvres, and by his skill 
and persevering industry effected, during the continuance of the troops at Valley Forge, a 
most important improvement in all ranks of the army. He was a volunteer in the action 
at Monmouth, and commanded in the trenches of Yorktown on the day which concluded 
the struggle with Great Britain. He died at Steuben, New York, November 28, 1795. 
He was an accomplished gentleman and a virtuous citizen, of extensive knowledge and 
e"'md judgment. An abstract of his system of discipline was published in 1779, and in 
1784 he published a letter on the subject of an established militia and military arrange- 
ments." 



372 ONEIDA COUNTY. 

The annexed inscription to the memory of Baron Steuben, adorns 
an elegant tablet on the wall of the German Lutheran church in the 
city of New York. 

" Sacred to the memory of Frederick William Augustus Baron Steuben, a German ; 
knight of the order of Fidelity ; aid-de-camp to Frederick the Great, king of Prussia ; major, 
general and inspector-general in the revolutionary war ; esteemed, respected, and supported 
by Washington. He gave military skill and discipline to the citizen soldiers, who, fulfilling 
the decrees of heaven, achieved the independence of the United States. The highly polished 
manners of the baron were graced by the most noble feelings of the heart. His hand, open 
as day for melting charity, closed only in the strong grasp of death. This memorial is 
inscribed by an American, who had the honor to be his aid-de-camp, the happiness to be 
his friend. Ob. 1793. 

The baron was a man of strong feelings, subject to sudden bursts 
of passion, but ever ready to atone for an injury. The following 
anecdotes are illustrative of the generosity of his disposition. At a 
review, he directed an officer to be arrested for a fault which he 
thought he had been guilty of. On being informed of his innocence, 
he directed him to be brought forward, and in the presence of all the 
troops, and with the rain pouring upon his uncovered head, asked 
his forgiveness in the following words. " Sir, the mistake which was 
made, might, by throwing the line into confusion, have been fatal in 
the presence of an enemy. I arrested you as its author, but I have 
reason to believe I was mistaken ; and that in this instance you were 
blameless. I ask your pardon. Return to your command ; I would 
not deal unjustly by any ; much less by one whose character as an 
officer is so respectable." — " After the capture at Yorktown, the su- 
perior officers of the American army, together with their allies, vied 
with each other in acts of civility and attention to the captive Brit- 
ons. Entertainments were given by all the major-generals, except 
Baron Steuben. He was above prejudice or meanness, but poverty 
prevented him from displaying that liberality towards them which 
had been shown by others. Such was his situation, when, calling on 
Col. Stewart, and informing him of his intention to entertain Lord 
Cornwallis, he requested that he would advance a sum of money, as 
the price of his favorite charger. ' 'Tis a good beast,' said the baron, 
' and has proved a faithful servant through all the dangers of the 
war ; but, though painful to my heart, we must part. Col. Stewart 
immediately tendered his purse, recommending the sale or pledge of 
his watch, should the sum it contained prove insufficient. ' My dear 
iriend,' replied the baron, ' 'tis already sold. Poor North was sick, 
and wanted necessaries. He is a brave fellow, and possesses the 
best of hearts. The trifle it brought is set apart for his use. INIy 
horse must go — so no more. I beseech you not to turn me from my 
purpose. I am a major-general in the service of the United States ; 
and my private convenience must not be put in a scale with the duty 
which my rank imperiously calls upon me to perform,' " 

Trenton was organized in 1797, as part of Herkimer county; 
NW. from New York 238, from Albany 93, from Utica N. 13, from 
Rome 20 miles. The inhabitants are principally of New England 
descent, though there are some of the ancient Dutch from Holland, 



ONEIDA COUNTY. 



373 



the original purchasers from the state. Trenton, an incorporated 
village on the road to Martinsburg, and 2 miles SW. from the falls, 
South Trenton, 9 miles from Utica, Holland Patent, and Prospect, 
16 miles from Utica, are all small villages. Pop. 3,178. 




Trenton Falls, at Trenton. 

The Trenton Falls on the West Canada creek, on the east line of 
the iowxi and county, are highly picturesque and subhme. The river 
descends in a high, narrow^, and rocky dell by a succession of cata- 
racts, the most magnificent of which are the High Falls, 2 miles NW. 
from the village of Trenton. This cataract is one hundred and nine 
feet in height, descending by three different sheets, respectively thirty- 
seven, eleven, and forty-eight feet fall, besides a connecting slope or 
rapids between. The rocks that bind the stream below, rise perpen- 
dicularly from 100 to 130 feet, capped by evergreens of spruce, fir, 
hemlock, and sublimely finish a landscape of uncommon beauties. The 
rocks are of a dark limestone, and contain large quantities of petrified 
marine shells, &c. &c. These falls are much visited, being within two 
or three hours' ride from the city of Utica, and there is here a hotel 
for the accommodation of visiters. 

Utica city comprehends the former town and village of that 
name, taken from Whitestown in 1817. It was incorporated a city 
in 1832, and divided into four wards. Its population in 1830, was 
8,323 ; in 1840, 12,810. The land on which the city is situated 
is a rich alluvion, rising gently from the south side of the Mohawk 
river, and was formerly covered with a gigantic growth of forest 
trees. It is quite a central point for roads, canals, &c., to various 
parts of the state. Distance from Albany 96 miles, from New 



374 ONEIDA COUNTY. 

York 241, from Buffalo 202, from Rochester 140, from Oswego 76, 
from Sacketts Harbor 94, from Ithaca 96, and from Ogdensburg 
145 miles. It contains 14 churches — 3 Presbyterian, 2 Methodist, 2 
Baptist, 1 Episcopal, 1 Dutch Reformed, 1 Welsh Presbyterian, 1 
Catholic, 1 Friends, 1 Bethel, and 1 Universalist. There are 3 banks, 
with an aggregate capital of one million and a half of dollars. The 
buildings are generally very good, the stores large and splendid. 
There are nine periodical publications, including newspapers, 4 
academies or high schools, and numerous moral, religious, benevolent, 
and scientific associations. 

The first building erected within the limits of Utica was a mud 
fort, constructed during the old French war. It was situated between 
Main-street and the banks of the river, a little eastward of Second- 
street, and named Fort Schuyler,* in honor of Col. Schuyler, an 
uncle of Gen. Philip Schuyler of the revolution. 

" The settlement of Utica commenced at an early period, but was 
not prosecuted with the vigor that the neighboring settlements were. 
Whitestown was regarded as the great central point of the whole 
region up to the years 1793 or 1794. At this period quite a village 
had grown up there, while Utica, or old Fort Schuyler, as its site 
was then called, could boast of but three houses. About this time 
the public attention was directed to Rome, as the probable future 
metropolis of the state. Its local position favored the idea. It occu- 
pied the portage or carrying place between the Mohawk and Wood 
creek, which discharging through Oneida lake into Lake Ontario, 
formed a channel of communication between the Hudson and the 
whole chain of western lakes. The connecting the two streams by 
a navigable canal, which was projected at a very early day, and 
was accomplished by the Western Inland Lock Navigation Com- 
pany, which was chartered in 1792, encouraged the belief, that that 
site must become the focus of the business of the country. And for 
several years the growth of Rome warranted the expectation. The 
location of the Seneca turnpike road first operated to change the 
current of business and divert it to this location. This event took 
place in the year 1800, and the crossing of the river at this point 
rendered it immediately important as a place of deposit and of trade. 
A steady and healthful growth ensued, and the aid and influence of 
enlightened and enterprising men in the various walks of life, con- 
tributed very shortly to render it the leading place of business in the 
neighborhood. Its present name was given to it in 1798, when it 
was incorporated as a village, and it has since then continued its 
municipal capacity until the present day. The first church gathered 
in this city was organized under the care of the Rev. Bethuel Dodd, 
as a branch of the church at Whitestown, in the year 1794. The 
style of the corporation was — " The United Presbyterian Societies of 
Whitestown and old Fort Schuyler." Previous to that time, although 

* Fort Stanwix, at Rome, during the revolutionary war had its name changed to Fort 
Schuyler ; these two are sometimes confounded in history. 



ONEDIA COUNTY. 375 

the people of Whitestown had employed a clergyman, the Rev. Dr. 
Hillyer, whom I have already mentioned, they had not settled a 
pastor. Mr. Dodd was ordahied pastor of the United Societies. 
The union of the two churches continued for more than twenty 
years, under the pastorates of Mr. Dodd and his successor, the Rev. 
Dr. Carnahan. They were the first Presbyterian churches organ- 
ized west of the city of Albany, those at Clinton and New Hartford 
being Congregational in their forms of government. The Episcopal 
church in this city was gathered in 1798, and its present church 
edifice erected in 1803." — Tracy's Lectures. 

The following inscriptions are copied from monuments in the grave- 
yard at Utica. 

" Erected by the Utica lodge, Oneida chapter, and Utica encampment, in memory of 
Ezra S. Cozier, Esq. An upright magistrate, a kind-hearted friend, an honest man. He 
fell a victim to his exertions in the cause of benevolence during the epidemic cholera, 17th 
August, 1832, aged 47 years." 



" Here lie the bodies of Dr. John Cochrane, director-general of the military hospitals 
of the United States in the revolutionary war, and Gertrude, his wife. The former died 
in April, in the year 1807, in the 77th year of his age, and the latter in March, in the year 
1813, in the 89th year of her age. — This monument is erected by their sons, James and 
Walter L. Cochran." 



" In memory of John Hughes, a native of South Wales, who departed this life Septem- 
ber 3d, A. D. 1831, iE. 62. 

Mewn rhyfel bu'fe yma'n hir 
Yn colli ac yn ennill tir ; 
Ond' nawr gorphenodd ar ei waith, 
Acaeth yn deg i ben ei daith." 

Vernon, taken from Westmoreland in 1802; from Albany 116 
miles. This town was settled in 1797. About one fifth of the town 
belongs to the Oneida Indians, forming part of their reservation, and 
comprising their principal settlements near the Oneida village on the 
Oneida creek. Oneida Castleton, 22 miles SW. from Utica and 16 
from Rome, has about 25 dwellings, and a church belonging to the 
Indians, who number about 200. On the south side of the turnpike 
road, at the entrance of the village, is the ancient council grove of 
the Six Nations, consisting of about 50 large white walnut-trees, still 
in full vigor. Vernon, upon the Skanandoa creek, 17 miles SW. from 
Utica, contains an academy, a female seminary, and about 80 dwell- 
ings. Vernon Centre, 2 miles S. from Vernon, has about 25 dwell- 
ings. Pop. 3,043. 

Verona, taken from Westmoreland and Augusta in 1802; from 
Albany 113, from Rome centrally distant SW. 9 miles. The town 
formed part of the Oneida reservation, but was purchased in 1796, 
by the state from the Indians. Pop. 4,504. Durhamville, New 
London, Verona, Verona Centre, Skanandoa, and Andover, are villa- 
ges. The sulphur springs near Andover are in high repute. 

Vienna, originally named Orange, afterward changed to Bengal, 
and finally to Vienna ; taken from Camden in 1807 ; from Albany 



376 ONEIDA COUNTY. 

125, from Rome W. 17 miles. Settled in 1802, by New Englanders 
Vienna, McConnelsville, and Pine, are post-offices. Pop. 2,530. 

Western, taken from Steuben, as part of Herkimer county in 
1797; from Albany 109, from Rome NE. 8 miles. Western and 
Big Brook are post-offices. Pop. 3,488. 

Westmoreland, taken from Whitestown in 1792; from Albany 
105 miles. Rock iron ore is here found in abundance, and is exten- 
sively wrought. Hampton, 9 miles W. from Utica and 7 S. from 
Rome, contains about 30 dwellings. Lairdsville is a small village, 
and Republican the name of a post-office. Pop. 3,105. 

The first settlement of this town was commenced in 1786, by 
James Dean, Esq., a name distinguished in the history of Oneida 
county. He was a native of New England, the child of religious 
parents, who educated him for the purpose of being a missionary 
among the Indians. At the age of eleven he was sent among the 
Indians on the Susquehannah, in order to acquire their language, and 
gain a knowledge of their habits and manners : he afterward was a 
student in Dartmouth college. On the breaking out of hostilities in 
1775, Mr. Dean was appointed to the office of Indian agent, with the 
rank of a major in the army, and during the revolutionary war con- 
tinued his services. For most of the time, his duties were performed 
in the neighborhood of Oneida. At the close of the war the Oneidas 
granted him a tract of land, two miles square, near Rome, where he 
removed in 1784 and commenced its improvement. He afterward 
effected an exchange with the nation for a tract in Westmoreland, 
where he removed in 1786, and resided till his death, in 1832. He 
was appointed a judge in the county courts, and filled various other 
public offices. Two or three years after the removal of Mr. Dean 
to Westmoreland, an incident occurred, which furnishes a parallel to 
the rescue of Capt. Smith by Pocahontas in the early days of Vir- 
ginia. 

" An institution existed among the Indians for the punishment of a murderer, answering 
in some respects to the Jewish code. It became the duty of the nearest relative of the de- 
ceased to pursue him, and avenge his brother's death. In case the murder was perpetrated 
by a member of a different tribe, the offence demanded that the tribe of the murdered man 
should require the blood of some member of the offending tribe. This was regarded as a 
necessary atonement, and as absolutely requisite to the happiness of the deceased in the 
world of spirits, and a religious duty, and not as a mere matter of vengeful gratification. 
At the period to which I have referred, an Indian had been murdered by some unknown 
■white man, who had escaped. The chiefs thereupon held a consultation at Oneida to de. 
termnie wnat was to be done. Their deliberations were held in secret, but through the 
friendship of one of the number, Mr. Dean was advised of what was going on. From the 
office that he had held, and the high standing he maintained among the white men, it was 
urged in the council that he was the proper person to sacrifice in atonement for the offence 
committed. The question was, however, a very difficult one to dispose of. He had been 
adopted into the tribe, and was held to be a son, and it was argued by many of the chiefs 
that he could now be no more responsible for the offence than one of the natives of the 
tribe, and that his sacrifice would not furnish the proper atonement. For several days the 
matter was debated and no decision was arrived at. While it was undetermined, he con- 
tinned to hope for the best, and his friendly informant kept him constantly advised of all 
that was done. At first he reflected upon the propriety of his leaving the country and es- 
caping from the danger. But his circumstances, together with the hope of a favorable issue 
of the question in the coimcil, induced him to remain. He had erected a small house which 
he was occupying with hia wife and two children, one an infant, and it was idle to think 



ONEIDA COUNTY. 377 

of removing them without exciting observation and perhaps causing a sacrifice of all. As 
the council continued its session for several days, his hopes of a favorable decision bright- 
ened. He however kept the whole matter to himself, not even mentioning it to his wife, 
and prepared himself for any emergency which might befall him. One night after he had 
retired to bed, he wa'? awoke by the sound of the death whoop, at a short distance from his 
house. He then for the first time communicated to his wife his fears that a party were ap- 
proaching to take his life. He enjoined it upon her to remain quiet with her children in 
the room where they slept, while he would receive the council in an adjoining one and en- 
deavor to avert their determination, trusting to Providence for the result. He met the In- 
dians at the door, and seated them in the outer room. There were eighteen, and all chiefs 
or head men of the nation. The senior chief informed him that they had come to sacrifice 
him for the murder of their brother, and that he must now prepare to die. He replied to 
them at length, claiming that he was an adopted son of the Oneidas ; that it was unjust to 
require his blood for the wrong committed by a wicked white man ; that he was not ready 
to die, and that he could not leave his wife and children unprovided for. The council lis- 
tened to him with profound gravity and attention, and when he sat down, one of the chiefs 
replied to him. He rejoined, and used every argument his ingenuity could devise in order 
to reverse their sentence. The debate continued a long time, and the hope of escape grew 
fainter and fainter as it proceeded. At length he had nearly abandoned himself to the 
doom they had resolved upon, when he heard the pattering of a footstep without the door. 
All eyes were fixed upon the door. It opened and a squaw entered. She was the wife of 
the senior chief, and at the time of Mr. Dean's adoption into the tribe in his boyhood, she 
had taken him as her son. The entrance of a woman into a solemn council, was, by In- 
dian etiquette, at war with all propriety. She, however, took her place near the door, and 
all looked on in silence. A moment after, another footstep was heard, and another Indian 
woman entered the council. This was a sister of the former, and she too was the wife of 
a chief then present. Another pause ensued, and a third entered. Each of the three stood 
wrapped closely in her blanket, but said nothing. At length the presiding chief addressed 
them, telling the-m to begone and leave the chiefs to go on with their business. The wife 
repHed, that the council must change their determination and let the good white man — 
their friend — her own adopted son, alone. The command to be gone was repeated, when 
each of the Indian women threw off her blanket and showed a knife in her extended hand, 
and declared that if one hair of the white man's head was touched, they would each bury 
their knives in their own heart's blood. The strangeness of the whole scene overwhelmed 
with amazement each member of the council, and regarding the unheard-of resolution of 
the women to interfere in the matter as a sort of manifestation of the will of the Great 
Spirit that the white man's life should not be taken, their previous decree was reversed on 
the spot, and the life of their victim preserved." — Tracy's Lectures. 

Whitestown was organized in 1788. It lies on the west side of 
the Mohawk, having an undulating surface with broad and fertile 
valleys. It is drained by the Oriskany and Sauquoit creeks, on which 
are numerous mills of various kinds. Oriskany, Whitesborough, and 
Yorkville are post villages. Pop. 5,156. Whitesborough, the prin- 
cipal village, is near the confluence of Sadaquada or Sauquoit creek 
with the Mohawk, contains about 100 dwelling-houses, 2 churches, 
an academy, and the Oneida Institute. Distant 100 miles from Al- 
bany ; 4 from Utica, and 12 from Rome. 

The following is a SW. view of the Oneida Institute, as seen from the 
Erie canal, which passes a short distance from these buiMings. The 
"Oneida Institute of Science and Industry," was founded in 1827; 
incorporated in 1829. " The design of this Seminary is to furnish 
means to obviate the evils resulting to students from the usual appli- 
cation to a course of professional study, and the attendant depriva- 
tion of bodily exercise. The plan that the Seminary has established 
to effect this, is to blend productive manual labor with the course of 
study. Three hours labor per day is required of each student in the 
young men's department, and somewhat less of each in the juvenile 
department. The farm consists of the flat on the left bank of the 

48 



378 ONEIDA COUNTY. 



Southwest view of Oneida Institute, Whitestown. 

Sauquoit, and contains 114 acres. The chief building upon it when 
purchased, was a large two story wood house to which a wing has 
been appended, and which is now occupied by the juvenile depart 
ment. The other principal buildings, which are all of wood, with 
stone basements, are as follows : two of 82 by 32 feet, and one 48 
by 48 feet, all of three stories, including the basements. The latter 
includes the chapel, with seats for 250 persons. The library con- 
tains upwards of 1,000 volumes ; and in the reading-room are files 
of newspapers from various parts of the United States. The ex- 
pense for instruction, room rent, fuel, and contingences per year, $28. 
Board at $1,05 per week, #54,60 per year. Total $82,00.* 

Immediately after the revolutionary war, Hugh White, a native of 
Middletown, Conn., Zephaniah Piatt, Ezra L'Hommedieu, and Me- 
lancthon Smith, became joint proprietors of Sadaquada Patent. It 
was agreed among the proprietors, that they should meet on the land 
in the summer of 1784, and make a survey and partition of it. Judge 
White, having determined to make this place his home, he accord- 
ingly, in the month of May in that year, left his native place, accom- 
panied by his four sons, all of whom had arrived at manhood, a 
daughter, and daughter-in-law. The party sailed to Albany, there 
crossed the carrying place to Schenectady, and procuring a batteau, 
ascended the Mohawk, and arrived in June at the mouth of the Sau- 
quoit creek. They there erected a shanty for their temporary accom- 
modation, while surveying and dividing the lands. Upon obtaining the 
partition Jfldge White proceeded to the erection of a log house : the 
site fixed upon was upon the bank which forms the eastern boundary 
of the village green in Whitesborough, just on the right of the Indian 
path which led from old Fort Schuyler to Fort Stanwix. He re- 
mained at this house with his sons until winter, cutting away the 
forest and making preparations for the ensuing season. In January, 
he returned to Connecticut, and brought his wife and the remainder 
of his family. Four years after this, he erected the house still standing 
on the southeastern corner of the village green of which the annexed 
is a representation. He continued to occupy it until a year or two 



ONEIDA COUNTY. 



379 




House of Judge White, Whitestown. 

previous to his death, when he removed to the dwelHng owned by 
him upon the hill, where he died April 16th, 1812. At the organiza- 
tion of Herkimer county, he was appointed a judge, and afterward 
performed the duties of the same office in Oneida county. 

For the first two years of Judge White's residence at Whitesbo- 
roughjthe nearest mill was situated at Palatine, a distance of about forty 
miles. This distance was traversed by an Indian path impassable to 
a wheel-carriage. The want of animal food induced the first settlers 
to salt down a barrel or two of the breasts of pigeons, which they sepa- 
rated from the remainder of these birds, which were here caught in great 
numbers. In the year 1786, the settlementof Whitestown had so far in- 
creased, that its inhabitants formed a religious society, and employed 
as a minister the Rev. Dr. Hillyer, of Orange, New Jersey, and or- 
ganized the first Presbyterian church formed in the state west of Al- 
bany. In 1788, when Whitestown was organized, its limits were 
laid oflf by a line crossing the Mohawk at a small log cabin which 
stood upon the site occupied by the railroad depot in Utica, and run- 
ning north and south to the boundaries of the state, and comprehend- 
ing all the state lying westward — a territory which at present is 
inhabited by more than a million of inhabitants. The first town 
meeting was held in a barn owned by Needham Maynard, Esq., on 
the road leading from Whitesborough to Middle Settlement. 

For a number of years after Judge White's arrival quite a number 
of the Oneida Indians resided in his vicinity. The following interest- 
ing incident, which took place during this period, is copied from 
Tracy's Lectures. 

" An old chief, named Han Yerry, who, during the war, had acted with the royal party, 
and now resided at Oriskany in a log wigwam which stood on this side of the creek, just 
back of the house, until recently, occupied by Mr. Charles Green, one day called at Judge 
White's with his wife and a mulatto woman who belonged to him, and who acted as his 
interpreter. After conversing with him a little while, the Indian asked him — Are you my 
friend ? Yes, said he. Well, then, said the Indian, do you believe I am your friend ? 
Yes, Han Yerry, replied he ; I believe you are. The Indian then rejoined — Well, if you 
are my friend, and you believe I am your friend, I will tell you what I want, and then I 
shall know whether you speak true words. And what is it that you want ? said Mr. White. 



380 ONEIDA COUNTY. 

The Indian then pointed to a little grandchild, the daughter of one of his sons, then be. 
tween two and three years old, and said, — My squaw wants to take this pappoose home 
with us to stay one night, and bring her home to-morrow : if you are my friend, you will 
now show me. The feelings of the grandfather at once uprose in his bosom, and the 
child's mother started with horror and alarm at the thought of intrusting her darling prat- 
tler with the rude tenants of the forest. The question was full of interest. On the one 
hand, the necessity of placing unlimited confidence in the savage, and intrusting the wel- 
fare and the life of his grandchild with him; on the other, the certain enmity of a man of 
infl.ience and consequence in his nation, and one who had been the open enemy of his 
countrymen in their recent struggle. But he made the decision with a sagacity that 
showed that he properly estmiated the character of the person he was dealing with. He 
believed that by placing implicit confidence in him, he should command the sense of honor 
which seems peculiar to the uncontaminated Indian. He told him to take the child ; and 
as the mother, scarcely suffering it to be parted from her, relinquished it into the hands of 
the old man's wife, he soothed her fears with his assurances of confidence in their promises. 
That night, however, was a long one ; and during the whole of the next morning many and 
often were the anxious glances cast up the pathway leading from Oriskany, if possible to 
discover the Indians and their little charge, upon their return to its home. But no Indians 
came in sight. It at length became high noon : all a mother's fears were aroused : she 
could scarcely be restrained from rushing in pursuit of her loved one. But her father re- 
presented to her the gross indignity which a suspicion of their intentions would arouse in 
the breast of the chief; and half frantic though she was, she was restrained. The after- 
noon slowly wore away, and still nothing was seen of her child. The sun had nearly 
reached the horizon, and the mother's heart had swollen beyond further endurance, when 
the forms of the friendly chief and his wife, bearing upon her shoulders their little visiter, 
greeted its mother's vision. The dress which the child had worn from home had been re- 
moved, and in its place its Indian friends had substituted a complete suit of Indian gar- 
ments, so as completely to metamorphose it into a little squaw. The sequel of this adven- 
ture was the establishment of a most ardent attachment and regard on the part of the In- 
dian and his friends for the white settlers. The child, now Mrs. Eells of Missouri, the 
widow of the late Nathaniel Eells of Whitesboro, still remembers some incidents occurring 
on the night of her stay in the wigwam, and the kindness of her Indian hostess." 

Oriskany village is about 3 miles NE. from Whitesborough, at the 
confluence of Oriskany creek with the Mohawk : it has about 60 
dwellings, a number of mills, and 2 woollen factories, viz. the Oris- 
kany, first incorporated in 1804, and the Dexter. The Erie canal 
and the railroad between Utica and Syracuse pass through this vil- 
lage. The battle of Oriskany, in which Gen. Herkimer received a 
mortal wound, was fought about two miles in a western direction 
from the village. 

On the advance of the British forces under Lieut. Col. St. Leger 
to the siege of Fort Schuyler, (Stanwix,) at Rome, General Herkimer 
summoned the militia of Tryon county to the field to march to the 
succor of the garrison. On the 5th of Aug., 1777, he arrived near 
Oriskany with a body of upwards of 800 men, all eager to meet the 
enemy. On the morning of the 6th of August, Gen. Herkimer de- 
termined to halt till he had received reinforcements, or at least until 
the signal of a sortie should be received from the fort. His officers, 
however, were eager to press forward ; high words ensued : during 
which his two colonels and other officers denounced their commander 
to his face as a tory and a coward. " The brave old man calmly 
replied that he considered himself placed over them as a father, and 
that it was not his wish to lead them into any difficulty from which 
he could not extricate them. Burning as they now seemed to meet 
the enemy, he told them roundly that they would run at his first ap- 
pearance. But his remonstr£inces were unavailing. Their clamor 



ONEIDA COUNTY. 381 

increased, and their reproaches were repeated, until, stung by impu- 
tations of cowardice and a want of fidehty to the cause, and some- 
what irritated withal, the general immediately gave the order — 
* march on !' The words were no sooner heard than the troops gave 
a shout, ari# moved, or rather rushed forward." Col. St. Leger 
having heard of the advance of Gen. Herkimer, determined to attack 
him in an ambuscade. The spot chosen favored the design. There 
was a deep ravine crossing the path which Herkimer was traversing, 
*' sweeping towards the east in a semi-circular form, and bearing a 
northern and southern direction. The bottom of this ravine was 
marshy, and the road crossed it by means of a causeway. The 
ground, thus partly enclosed by the ravine, was elevated and level. 
The ambuscade was laid upon the high ground west of the ravine." 
The British troops, with a largebody of Indians under Brant, disposed 
themselves in a circle, leaving only a narrow segment open for the 
admission of Herkimer's troops. Unconscious of the presence of the 
enemy, Gen. Herkimer with his whole force, with the exception of 
the rear-guard, found themselves encompassed at the onset — the 
foe closing up the gap on their first fire. Those on the outside fled 
as their commander had predicted ; those within the circle were 
thrown into disorder by the sudden and murderous fire now poured 
in upon them on all sides. Gen. Herkimer fell wounded in the early 
part of the action, and was placed on his saddle against the trunk of 
a tree for his support, and thus continued to order the battle. The 
action havjng lasted more than half an hour, in great disorder, Her- 
kimer's men formed themselves into circles to repel the attacks of the 
enemy, who were now closing in upon them from all sides. From 
this moment their resistance was more effective. The firing in a 
great measure ceased ; and the conflict was carried on with knives, 
bayonets, and the butt-ends of muskets. A heavy shower of rain 
now arrested the work of death ; the storm raged for an hour, and 
the enemy retired among the trees, at a respectful distance, having 
suffered severely, notwithstanding the advantages in their favor. 
During this suspension of the conflict, Gen. Herkimer's men, by his 
direction, formed themselves into a circle and awaited the movements 
of the enemy. In the early part of the battle, whenever a gun was 
fired by a militiaman from behind a tree, an Indian rushed up and 
tomahawked him before he could reload. To counteract this, two 
men were stationed behind a single tree, one only to fire at a time — 
the other to reserve his fire till the Indian ran up as before The fight 
was soon renewed, but by this new arrangement the Indians suflfered 
so severely that they began to give way. A reinforcement of the 
enemy now came up, called Johnson's Greens. These men were 
mostly royalist, who having fled from Tryon county, now returned 
in arms against their former neighbors. Many of the militia and the 
gpreens knew each other, and as soon as they advanced near enough 
for recognition, mutual feelings of hate and revenge raged in their 
bosoms. The militia fired upon them as they advanced, and then 
springing like tigers from their covers, attacked them with their bay- 



382 ONEIDA COUNTY. 

onets and butts of their muskets ; or both parties in closer contact 
throttled each other and drew their knives — stabbing, and sometimes 
hterally dying in each other's embrace." 

This murderous conflict did not continue long : the Indians seeing 
with what resolution the militia continued the fight, an(||finding their 
own numbers greatly diminished, now raised the retreating cry of 
" Oonah /" and fled in every direction under the shouts of the surviv- 
ing militia, and a shower of bullets. A firing was heard in the dis- 
tance from the fort: the Greens and Rangers now deemed that their 
presence was necessary elsewhere, and retreated precipitately, leav- 
ing the victorious militia of Tryon county masters of the field. — 
" Thus ended," (says Col. Stone in his Life of Brant,) " one of the 
severest, and, for the numbers engaged, one of the most bloody bat- 
tles of the revolutionary war." The loss of the militia, according to 
the American account, was two hundred killed, exclusive of wounded 
and prisoners. The British claimed that four hundred of the Ameri- 
cans were killed and two hundred taken prisoners. " The loss of 
the enemy was equally if not more severe, than that of the Ameri- 
cans." Gen. Herkimer, though wounded in the onset, bore himself 
during the six hours of conflict, under the most trying circumstances, 
with a degree of fortitude and composure worthy of admiration. 
" At one time during the battle, while sitting upon his saddle, raised 
upon a little hillock, being advised to select a less exposed situation, 
he replied — ' I will face the enemy.' Thus surrounded by a few men, 
he continued to issue his orders with firmness. In this situation, and 
in the heat of the onslaught, he deliberately took his tinder box from 
his pocket, lit his pipe, and smoked with great composure." After 
the battle was over, he was removed from the field on a litter, and 
was conveyed to his house, below the Little Falls on the Mohawk. 

The following inscriptions are copied from monuments in the 
Whitesborough grave-yard. 

"Here sleep the mortal remains o^ Hugh White, who was born 5th February, 1733, at 
Middletown, Connecticut, and died 16th April, 1812. In the year 1784, he removed to 
Sedaghquate, now Whitesborough : where he was the first white inhabitant in the state of 
New York west of the German settlers on the Mohawk. He was distinguished for energy 
and decision of character; and may justly be regarded as a Patriarch v/ho led the children 
of New England into the wilderness. As a magistrate, a citizen, and a man, his character 
for truth and integrity was proverbial. This humble monument is reared and inscribed by 
the affectionate partner of his joys and his sorrows, May 15, 1826." 



" To the memory of the Rev. Bethuel Dodd, first pastor of the United Presbyterian So- 
ciety of Whitestown and Utica. Born 1767, died 1804 ; and of Sarah his wife, born 1768, 
died 1828. In the year 1794, they emigrated from Orange, New Jersey, to this village. 
Mr. Dodd assisted in forming the first Presbyterian church west of Albany, and spent the 
remainder of a short but useful career in the upbuilding of this branch of his Master's 
kingdom." 



ONONDAGA COUNTY. 383 



ONONDAGA COUNTY. 

Onondaga counts- was taken from Herkimer in 1794 ; bounds 
since altered by the formation of other counties from it. Greatest 
length N. and S. 36, greatest breadth E. and W. 28 miles. Cen- 
trally distant from New York 280 miles, from Albany 135 miles. 
This county, though not extensive, embraces a most important portion 
of the territory of this state. Here are the salt springs, an inex- 
haustible source of immense wealth ; beds of gypsum or plaster, of 
vast extent, hydraulic lime and common limestone. Surface is diver- 
sified. The northern portion of the county is level ; the centre and 
southern rolling, and rising in some places into hills. The soil is 
generally good, and in some portions excellent, and under high culti- 
vation. Large crops of wheat and Indian corn are annually raised. 
Both are greatly aided by the use of plaster. The principal lakes 
are Oneida, Skaneateles, Onondaga, and Otisco. The Rome sum- 
mit, or long level of the Erie canal, 692 miles in length, has its west- 
ern extremity near Syracuse. The county forms part of the military 
tract, and settlements were first made here in the spring of 1788, 
whilst composing part of Whitestown, Oneida county. The county 
is divided into l8 towns, of which Lysander, Manlius, Marcellus, 
Onondaga, and Pompey were organized by general sessions in 1789. 
Pop. 67,915. 

Camillus, organized in 1789: from Albany 141 miles. Camillus 
has about 60 dwellings. This village is connected with the Erie 
canal by a feeder. Belleisle, on the canal 6 miles W., and Amboy 7 
miles W. from Syracuse, are small settlements. Pop. 3,957. 

Cicero, organized in 1807 ; from Albany 143, from Syracuse NE. 
10 miles. Cicero is a small village. On the bank of the Seneca river, 
opposite Brewerton post-office, in the north part of the town, are the 
remains of an old French fort. Pop. 2,464. 

Clay, taken from Cicero in 1827; from Albany 151, from Syra- 
cuse N. 1 1 miles. Clay and Euclid are names of post-offices. Pop. 
2,852. 

De Witt, taken from Manlius in 1835; from Albany 128 miles. 
Jamesville, 7 miles SE. from Syracuse, has about 45 dwellings. Or- 
ville is a small village. Pop. 2,802. 

Elbridge, taken from Camillus in 1829; from Albany 169 miles. 
Elbridge, 15 miles W. from Syracuse, has about 60 dwellings. Near 
this village are Indian remains, the largest of which, upon a hill, has 
an area of about three acres, surrounded by a ditch and wall of earth. 
It is said that a large limestone was found here, having writing upon 
it in an unknown character, and that from a well within the wall, 
many mouldering human bones have been taken. Jordan, on the 
canal, 12 miles W. from Syracuse, is an incorporated village having 
about 150 dwellings, Elbridge has about 60 dwellings. Peru and 
Wellington are small settlements. Pop. 4,647. 



384 ONONDAGA COUNTY. 

Fabius, organized in 1798 ; from Albany 125, from Syracuse SE. 
18 miles. The remains of ancient forts are found here, and beneath 
the earth human bones. Franklinville is a large village, and Apulia 
has about 40 dwellings. Pop. 2,562. 

Lafayette, taken from Pompey and Onondaga in 1825; from 
Albany 134, from Syracuse S. 11 miles. Lafayette and Cardiff are 
small post villages. Pop. 2,000. 

Lysander, from Albany 152 miles. Baldwinsville, on the Seneca 
river, 12 miles NW. from Syracuse, is a manufacturing village con- 
taining 80 or 100 dwellings. Plain ville, Lysander, Betts Corners, 
and Little Utica, are villages. Pop. 4,036. 

Manlius,* in common with many other towns in this section, was 
originally divided by the surveyor-general into lots one mile square, 
which were drawn as bounty lands by revolutionary soldiers ; and 
hence its name, after a celebrated Roman general, is very appropriate. 
The town throughout is fertile, the southern part being uneven, the 
northern level ; and is crossed both by the canal and railroad. It is 
well watered by the Limestone and Butternut creeks, the former of 
which runs through nearly its whole length. Its principal exports 
are grain, plaster of Paris, and water lime. Pop. 5,509. 

About 100 rods south, and about a mile NW. of the village of 
Manlius, are found mineral springs, which are much resorted to by 
people living near them. At the latter place there are three foun- 
tains, within a few feet of each other, the waters of which differ very 
decidedly in their sensible properties. A boarding-house for the re- 
ception of guests was kept here by its former proprietor, connected 
with which were bathing places, swings, &c. At both these springs, 
but more particularly than at either, upon the bank of the Limestone 
creek about 100 rods NW. of the latter, are found specimens of cal- 
careous tufa, petrified leaves, and fragments of wood, some of which, 
for their perfection, have been deposited in the cabinet of Yale col- 
lege. New Haven, Connecticut. 

The first white inhabitant of this town was David Tripp, who 
moved here with his family about the year 1790. He lived in a log 
cabin nearly a mile NW. of the present village of Manlius, his near- 
est neighbor being probably Gen. A. Danforth, at Onondaga, 10 
miles distant. When he settled here, being surrounded with wilder- 
ness, it was with great difficulty that he could procure the food 
necessary for the subsistence of his family, until he could raise it 
from the soil by his own labor. At one time, the only article of 
food which they had for three months, with the exception of wild 
roots and milk, was a bushel of corn, which he brought from Herki- 
mer, 55 miles, on his back. Soon after Mr. Tripp became located in 
this town, several persons formed a settlement at Eagle village, a 
mile E. of the present village of Manlius. The first wedding in town 
was celebrated about the 1st of July, 1794, in the open yard in front 
of Mr. Foster's tavern in this settlement. It was on " a training day," 

* For the account of this town the authors are indebted to Azariah Smith, M. D. 



ONONDAGA COUNTY. 



385 



and the soldiers of the company who met there for parade, formed a 
hollow square, in the centre of which Cyrus Kinne, Esq., united in 
" wedlock's holy bonds" Mr. Billy McKee to Miss Jenny Mulholland. 
It is somewhat remarkable that this couple met with violent deaths 
about twelve years ago, and but a few months from each other. 

The first frame dwelling erected in town was built near Mr. 
Tripp's, by Conrad Lower, in 1792. He brought the floor boards 
from Palatine, and the other boards from Danforth's mill, which was 
erected on Buttei'nut creek the same season. Not having a sufficient 
quantity of nails, his son was sent to Oriskany, 33 miles, after some, 
and returned with 46 pounds on his back. The house built by him 
constitutes part of the dwelling now occupied by Salmon Sherwood. 
The first saw-mill in the present town was erected at the eastern 
Limestone falls, by Phineas Stevens in 1793, and the first grist-mill by 
William Ward, near the western extremity of the present village of 
Manlius, in the summer and fall of 1794. 




View in the central part of Manlius. 

The lot assigned, at the time of the original division of this town 
by the surveyor-general, for the support of the gospel and of com- 
mon schools, was set apart by the town for the latter object, and was 
sold May 2, 1814, for $12,114.42. When De Witt was set off from 
Manlius, this fund was divided, and the present town of Manlius re- 
ceived for its share $7,7.52.42. This fund is invested in bonds and 
mortgages paying 7 per cent, interest; and the annual income, $542.67, 
is divided among the school districts, in addition to the proper share 
of money which the town receives from the state. 

The principal village, called Manlius after the name of the town, is 
situated 3 miles S. of the Erie canal at Hulls landing, and about 5 
miles from the railroad. It is 10 miles from Syracuse, and 134 from 
Albany, and contained, in 1830, 472 male, and 517 female inhabit- 
ants. Its present population is estimated at between 11 and 12 
hundred. Annexed is a cut of the village ; the building with an attic 
and cupola is the academy, the church to the right of it is the Pres- 
byterian, and the one on the opposite side of the street the Episcopa- 

49 



386 ONONDAGA COUNTY. 

lian. This church is the oldest in the place, and formerly stood on 
the top of the steep hill east of the academy, (not seen in the view,) 
from whence it was removed on wheels to its present location a few 
years since, with its steeple, bell, organ, &c., without jarring it so 
much as to remove a square foot of plastering. The Baptist and 
Methodist churches are not seen from this pomt. The latter was 
originally ornamented with a spire, but as it was thought by some of 
the congregation to betoken spiritual pride, it was torn down soon 
after it was built, and in its place was substituted the present low tower. 
The two story and a half building near and to the right of the acade- 
my, was formerly a tavern, and is made up in part of the oldest frame 
in the village. The cupolas in the distance belong to cotton mills, of 
which there are 3 in the place, known as the Limestone, Manlius, 
(carried on by an incorporated company,) and Cold Spring factories. 
The first of them — owned by Azariah Smith, who moved to this place 
from Middlefield, Mass., June 2, 1807, and has traded in the three 
story building on the right side of the street in the above cut since 
July 4, 1816 — is the largest, having 2,004 spindles, and manufactures 
annually about 500,000 yards of brown sheetings and shirtings. 
There are also in this village 3 flouring mills, 3 coach factories, 2 
furnaces, &c. 

The Manlius academy was incorporated April 13, 1835, with nine 
trustees, who are authorized to fill vacancies in their number. It has 
already attained the rank of fifth in the literary institutions of this 
senate district, and received in 1840 from the regents of the univer- 
sity $316.65, as its portion of the state literature fund. The number 
of students during that year was 274, 62 of whom studied languages. 

The following ministers have filled the pulpits in this place in order, viz : Rev. Messrs. 
Clark, Davis, Pardee, Wm. J. Bulkeley, Dyer, Burton, H. Hickox, James Selkrigg, A. S. 
Hollister, Jesse Pound, Appleton, and Davis, the Episcopalian ; Rev. Messrs. Reed, Olds, 
Samuel Hopkins, Hezekiah Woodruff, Ralph Cushman, Hiram Kellogg, John Ingersoll, 
Talcott Bates, Carlos Smith, Amzi Benedict, and John J. Slocum, the Presbyterian ; Rev. 
Messrs. Charles Morton, D. Bellamy and McCarthy, the Baptist. The Methodist ministers, 
as they biennially change, are not mentioned. 

The first newspaper printed in the county of Onondaga, was published in this village by 
Mr. Abraham Remain, under the title of the " Derne Gazette." The first number was 
issued in the spring of 1806, and a contemporaneous effort was made to change the name 
of the village to Derne ; this effort however failed, and the paper was discontinued after a 
little more than a year, for want of sufficient support. Since that time there have been 
published here several newspapers. The Manlius Times, Manlius Republican, Onondaga 
Republican, Manlius Repository, and Onondaga Flagg. The Manlius Repository com- 
menced in 1830, and reached its fifth volume, 

James 0. Rockwell, a young man of considerable reputation, author of a prize poem, in 
one of the annuals, formerly associate editor of a newspaper in Boston, and afterward of one 
in Providence, in which city he died, was a native of this place. His parents being in 
indigent circumstances, he was employed when a small lad in the Manlius factory, at which 
time his happy genius for rhyming was first observed. While employed in tending a pick- 
ing machine, he made a small book, on each right hand page of which was a picture of 
difierent parts of the factory, and on the opposite page a verse describing it. On the out, 
side was a front view of the factory with an overseer on the foreground, dragging a boy 
towards the door, and under it this verse — 

The factory life And every boy 

Is fuU of strife : That they employ 

I own I hate it dearly ; Will own the same, or nearly. 



ONONDAGA COUNTY. 387 

Fayetteville, 2h miles N. of Manlius village, is situated on a feeder 
to the Erie canal, and contains about 100 houses. It has 4 churches, 
1 Presbyterian, 1 Baptist, 1 Methodist, and 1 Episcopalian. It has 
an incorporated academy, which received from the literature fund of 
the state in 1840, $183.39. The principal business men are engaged 
in the purchase and forwarding of produce brought from the country 
south of the canal to this place. 

The other settlements are Kirkville and ManUus Centre, on the 
canal, Eagle village, referred to in the above history of the town, 
Hartsville, and Matthews Mills. 

Marcellus has a hilly surface with a soil of fertile loam ; centrally 
situated from Albany 157, and from Syracuse SW.14 miles. The vil- 
lage of Marcellus has about 75 dwellings, 3 churches, and a number 
of mills of various kinds. Clintonville is a post-office. Pop. 2,727. 

Perhaps the most remarkable case on record of devotional somni- 
um, so called, is that of Miss Rachel Baker of this town. A full his- 
tory of her case may be found in the Transactions of the Physico- 
Medical Society of New York, vol. I. p. 395. Rachel Baker was 
born at Pelham, Massachusetts, May 29, 1794. Her parents were 
pious persons, and early taught her the importance of religion. From 
childhood she appeared to possess a contemplative disposition; but 
her mind was not vigorous, nor was she much disposed to improve 
it by reading. At the age of nine years she removed with her pa- 
rents to the town of Marcellus in the state of New York. From 
that time she said " she had frequently strong convictions of the im- 
portance of eternal things, and the thoughts of God and eternity 
would make her tremble." — In June, 1811, while on a visit to the 
town of Scipio, she was deeply affected in witnessing the baptism of 
a young lady, and from that period was impressed with a stronger 
conviction of her own sinfulness. On her return to Marcellus, she 
endeavored to suppress her religious anxiety, but in vain ; her anguish 
of mind was fully depicted in her countenance. 

On the evening of the 28th of November, while she was sitting in 
a chair, apparently asleep, she began to sigh and groan as if in ex- 
cessive pain. She had said a short time before that she would live 
only a little while, and as she now repeated the expression, her parents 
were apprehensive that she was dying. This evening she talked 
incoherently ; but manifested in what she said much religious concern. 
She continued almost every night talking in her sleep till the 27 Jan., 
1812. On that evening, soon after she had fallen asleep, she was 
seized with a fit of trembling, shrieked aloud and awoke in great 
terror. Horror and despondency overwhelmed her with the dread 
of a miserable eternity, and of her speedy and inevitable doom. But 
these agonizing feelings were soon succeeded by a calm ; her mind 
became tranquil, and in her nightly devotions, which were now regu- 
lar and coherent, she poured forth a spirit of meekness, gratitude, and 
love. From this time the whole tenor of her soul seemed to be 
changed. She was incapable of expressing her sentiments clearly 
when awake ; but her sleeping exercises were so solemn and im- 



388 ONONDAGA COUNTY. 

pressive, that few who heard them doubted that they were the genuine 
fruits of repentance, piety, and peace. 

Dr. Mitchell, in describing Miss Baker's case, says, " the latter 
of these remarkable affections of the human mind, {Somnium cum 
religione) i. e. sleep with religion, belongs to Miss Rachel Baker, 
who for several years has been seized with somnium of a religious 
kind once a day with great regularity. These daily paroxysms 
recur with wonderful exactness, and from long prevalence have now 
become habitual. They invade her at early bedtime, and a fit 
usually lasts about three quarters of an hour. A paroxysm has been 
known to end in 35 minutes, and to continue 98. The transition 
from the waking state to that of somnium is very quick, frequently in 
quarter of an hour, and sometimes even less. After she retires from 
company in the parlor, she is discovered to be occupied in praising 
God with a distinct and sonorous voice. Her discourses are usually 
pronounced in a private chamber, for the purpose of delivering them 
with more decorum on her own part and with greater satisfaction to 
her hearers. She has been advisied to take the recumbent posture. 
Her face being turned towards the heavens, she performs her nightly 
devotions with a consistency and fervor wholly unexampled in a 
human being in a state of somnium. Her body and limbs are mo- 
tionless, they stir no more than the trunk and extremities of a statue : 
the only motion the spectator perceives is that of her organs of speech, 
and an oratorical inclination of the head and neck, as if she was intently 
engaged in performing an academic or theological exercise. Ac- 
cording to the tenor and solemnity of the address, the attendants are 
affected with seriousness. She commences and ends with an address 
to the throne of grace, consisting of proper topics of submission and 
reverence, of praise and thanksgiving, and of prayer for herself, her 
friends, the church, the nation, for enemies, and the human race in 
general. Between these is her sermon or exhortation. She begins 
without a text, and proceeds with an even course to the end, embel- 
lishing it sometimes with fine metaphors, vivid descriptions, and poeti- 
cal quotations. There is a state of the body felt like groaning, sob- 
bing, or moaning, and the distressful sound continues from two 
minutes to quarter of an hour. This agitation, however, does not 
wake her ; it gradually subsides, and she passes into a sound and 
natural sleep, which continues during the remainder of the night. In 
the morning she wakes as if nothing had happened, and entirely igno 
rant of the scenes in which she has acted. She declares she knows 
nothing of her nightly exercises except from the information of others. 
With the exception of the before-mentioned agitation of body and 
exercise of mind, she enjoys perfect health. In October, 1814, Miss 
Baker was brought to New York by her friends, in hopes that her 
somnial exercises, (which were considered by some of them as 
owing to disease,) might by the exercise of a journey and the novelty 
ot a large city be removed. But none of these means produced the 
desired effect. Her acquaintances stated that her somnial exercises 
took place every night regularly, except in a few instances when 



ONONDAGA COUNTY. 389 

interrupted by severe sickness, from the time they commenced in 
1812. In September, 1816, Dr. Sears, by a course of medical treat- 
ment, particularly by the use of opium, prevented a recurrence of 
her nightly exercises. 

Onondaga is from Albany 135 miles. Onondaga West Hill, a 
village and formerly the county seat, 4 miles SW. of Syracuse, con- 
tains about 50 dwellings. Onondaga* Hollow^, an incorporated vil- 
lage, has about .60 dvi^ellings. South Onondaga and Navarino 
are small villages. Pop. 5,662. The Onondaga castle, or the coun- 
cil-house of the remnant of the Onondagas, is in a rich tract in 



Council-house of the Onondagas. 

the Hollow, 3 miles S. of the village of Onondaga Hollow, on a 
small reservation of theirs, and contains about 50 houses on a street 
of a mile or more in length. Their dwellings are built of hewn logs, 
the spaces of which are filled with masoned mortar work, and are 
quite comfortable. The above view represents a portion of their 
village with their new council-house, which is the building seen on 
the right with three chimneys. The old council-house, now in ruins, 
is seen on the left. There are at present remaining not far from 300 
souls. The first white settler in this county was a Mr. Webster, 
who came here in 1786, and settled in the Hollow among the Indians. 
They gave him a tract of a mile square. He then opened a small 
shop, married a squaw, and became domesticated among the savages. 
In 1788, he obtained permission of the Onondagas for Messrs. Asa 
Danforth and Comfort Tyler to estabUsh themselves at Onondaga 
Hollow. 

" It was in this ' hollow' that the principal town and castle of the Onondaga Indians, in 
the prouder days of that nation stood ; and the poor remains of that once warlike and 
haughty member of the Oquanuschioni, or the amphyctionic league of the Five Nations, 
numbering a few hundred souls, are yet dragging out their lingering existence in the same 
valley a short distance to the south of the village I have just mentioned. 

" The history of the Onondaga nation, to say nothing of their own legends antecedent to 
the discovery and settlement of the country by the ' pale faces,' is full of interest. It was 
the central nation of the great confederacy, the terror of whose arms was almost co-exten- 

* Onondaga is an Indian word, signifying a swamp under or at the foot of a liill or 
mountain. 



390 ONONDAGA COUNTY. 

sive with the northern and eastern division of the continent, and whose actual domain at 
one time extended from the Sorel, south of the great lakes, to the Mississippi west, thence 
east to the Santee, and coastwise back to the Hudson. The great council-fire of the con- 
federacy was in the special keeping of the Onondagas, and by them was always kept burn- 
ing. The territory proper of the confederacy extended from Albany to Lake Erie, and was 
called the Long House. The Mohawks kept the eastern door, and the Senecas the west- 
tern. On the arrival of ambassadors from either direction, the keepers of the doors de- 
manded their business. If of minor or trifling consequence, a council of the tribe, by 
whom the ambassadors were received, disposed of the matter. But if by such council 
judged to be of sufficient weight and importance to demand the consideration of a national 
council, the messengers were conducted to the great council-fire at Onondaga, where the 
Congress of the confederacy was convoked. 

" The Onondagas have been distinguished both as orators and warriors. In their early 
intercourse with the ' pale faces,' they brought forward orators of great ability ; and some of 
the finest passages that have been preserved of Indian eloquence, fell from the lips of Gar- 
angula, Thurensera, Decanesora, and Sadekanaghtie, all chiefs of the Onondaga nation. 
Indeed, during more than a century subsequent to the invasion of Onondaga by the French 
in 1696, Red Jacket and Farmer's Brother only have equalled the oratorical efforts of the 
more ancient chiefs whom I have named. By the ancient unwritten constitution of the 
confederacy, the Onondagas were entitled to furnish the grand sachem, or principal civil 
chief, while the principal war chiefs were to be supplied by the Mohawks. But the great 
warrior of the confederacy, towards the close of the 17th century, was an Onondaga named 
Black Kettle, called by the French historians La Ghaudiere Noire. He led his Indians 
with Colonel Schuyler in 1690, against the French settlements on the north of Lake Cham- 
plain, and repulsed De Calheres, the governor of Montreal, who came against him with a 
superior force. He next attacked and defeated a French expedition sent against the Indi- 
ans at Niagara, and subsequently carried the war into Canada, with inmiense loss and dam. 
age to the French settlements. Enraged at the success of Black Kettle, the French gov. 
ernor, having made prisoner of one of his warriors, put him to death by the most horrible 
tortures But the captive withstood the most exquisite tortures with the utmost firmness — 
singi.ig ilIs achievements while they broiled his feet, burnt his hands with red hot irons, cut 
and wrung off his joints, and pulled out the sinews ; and to close all, his scalp was torn off, 
and red hot sand poured upon his head ! 

" This atrocious deed by civihzed men again re-awakened the vengeance of Black Kettle, 
and the French had speedy cause to lament with the deepest bitterness their own atrocity. 
A detachment of Senecas being soon afterward in the neighborhood of Quebec, Black 
Ketik% with a company of Onondagas, placed himself at their head. In 1692 he fell upon 
the island of Montreal, carrying his arms to the gates of the citadel. This brave chief 
continued the war until 'he year 1697, when, being decoyed into Canada under the pre- 
text of a desire to negotiate a peace, he was treacherously murdered by a party of Algon. 
kins engaged for that purpose. His country, however, had been ravaged by the French 
the year before his death ; and as the history of this first known invasion of Onondaga 
Hollow is interesting, I will give it in detail. In the year 1696, Count Frontenac, one of 
the most efficient and politic, as well perhaps as the most cruel of the French governors in 
Canada, attempted to detach the Five Nations from the friendship of the English colony 
and negotiate a separate peace. 

" With this view, through the agency of the Jesuits, the count succeeded in persuading 
the Indians to call a grand council of their chiefs at the old council-fire in Onondaga, to 
which he despatched messengers with his proposals. There were eighty sachems present, 
and the council was opened by Sagdekanaghtie. The French commissioners labored assid- 
uously to accomplish their purpose, and the conference continued several days. But a mes. 
senger from Albany informed the chiefs that a separate peace would displease the English, 
and the proposals were thereupon promptly rejected. Shortly afterward, the count deter- 
mined to avenge himself upon the Five Nations, for having preferred the preservation of 
their good faith and honor to the peace which he had proffered. For this purpose he as. 
sembled all his disposable troops, amounting to four battalions, with the Indians in his ser. 
vice and under his control, and departed from Montreal on the 9th of July, 1696. In ad- 
dition to small-anns, they took with them two light pieces of cannon, two mortars, a supply 
of grenades, &c. After a wearisome march of twelve days, during which the utmost cir- 
cumspection was necessary to avoid ambuscades, the count reached the foot of Lake Ca- 
darackui, (now called Ontario,) and crossed thence in canoes to the estuary of the Osh. 
wego river, which flows from the northern extremity of the Onondaga, or Salt Lake — the 
Onondaga flowing into the southern end near the great salt licks. The expedition can. 
tiously ascended the Oshwogo, and crossed the Salt Lake, keeping strong scoute on the 



ONONDAGA COUNTY. 391 

flanks, to prevent any surprise that might be attempted by a crafty enemy. This precau- 
tionary measure was the more necessary, inasmuch as the Indians, against whom they 
were marching, with their wonted chivalry, had given the French notice that they were 
apprized of their hostile approach. A tree had been discovered by one of the scouts, on 
the trunk of which, the savages had painted a representation of the French army on its 
march, and at the foot of the tree two bundles of rushes had been deposited, serving at 
once as a note of defiance, and giving the invader to understand that he would be com- 
pelled to encounter as many warriors as there were rushes in the bundles. These, being 
counted, were found to number fourteen hundred and forty-four. 

" The castle of the Onondagas was situated in the midst of the deep and beautiful valley 
to which we have already referred, and through which the Onondaga river winds its way 
to the lake. Count Frontenac, with his motley forces, had made a halt near the licks, and 
thrown up some temporary defences. The site of the casde was but five or six miles re- 
moved from tlje French camp. It was a sacred spot in the eyes of the Indians, as the seat 
of the grand councils which had for ages regulated the afl'airs of the fierce and wild de- 
mocracy of the Five Nations. They had, therefore, resolved to defend it to the last ; and 
their women and children had been sent from the rude village deeper into the shades of 
the forest. Circumstances, however, changed this determination on the morning of the 
day upon which Count Frontenac intended to advance. Two of the Hurons deserted from 
the forces of the count, and gave the Onondagas, to whose assistance neither of their as- 
sociate tribes had yet arrived, such an appalling description of the French, that they dared 
not remain and give battle. 

" Yonnondio's* army, they said, was like the leaves on the trees — more numerous than 
the pigeons that fly to the north after the season of the snows. They were armed, they 
said, with great guns that threw up huge balls towards the sun ; and when these balls fell 
into their castle, they would explode and scatter fire and death everywhere." 

The Onondagas, having applied the brand to their dwellings, re- 
treated into the wilderness. The Count Frontenac, astonished at the 
sight of the ascending columns of smoke, as they rose in curling folds 
towards the sky, moved rapidly forward. But it was to obtain an 
empty conquest. The huts and rude works of the Indians were al- 
ready in ashes. An old venerable-looking chief, whose head had been 
whitened by the snows of more than a hundred winters, by his own 
desire was left behind. He was found seated by the trunk of a syc- 
amore, and was tortured in a horrible manner by Frontenac's Indians. 
He bore their inflictions with stoical indifference, and died as became 
an Indian warrior. 

" With the retreat of the French, the Onondagas repossessed themselves of their beauti- 
I fill valley and rebuilt their town and castle. They moreover maintained their rank and 
position down to the breaking out of the war of the revolution. During the old French 
' war, which resulted in the conquest of Canada by the English and provincials, the Onon- 
j dagas sustained their part under the influence and conduct of Sir William Johnson ; and 
I when the war came on, they with the family of the deceased baronet espotised the cause 
1 of the crown. 

i" In the year 1779, their country was invaded and ravaged by the direction of General 
James Clinton, by a detachment of regular troops under the immediate command of Col- 
onel Van Schaick. As in the case of the former invasion, the Indians retired before supe- 
; nor numbers, and their town and castle were again destroyed by fire. But Uttle blood was 
I shed, one Indian only being killed ; and that little was sorely avenged by the Onondaga 
1 warriors, who fell upon the setdement of Cobleskill, in a few weeks thereafter. With the 
return of peace, however, the Onondagas became the friends of the United States, and 
during the late war with England, some of their warriors were engaged on the side of the 
J Americans, in the Niagara campaign. Their principal warrior, Le Fort, was the leader of 
j the Indians in the battle of Chippewa. His son, an educated and respectable man, yet re. 
I sides with the remains of his people in their native valley." — New York Commercial Ad- 
' vertiser. 

* The name by which the Five Nations designated the French governor. 



392 ONONDAGA COUNT V. 

Otisco, taken from Pompey, Tully, and Marcellus in 1806 ; from 
Albany 140, from Syracuse SW. 14 miles. Otisco Lake in this town 
derives its name from the Indian word Otisco, signifying " decreased 
waters," Amber and Otisco Centre are post villages. Population, 
1,906. 

Pompey has a hilly surface and a fertile sandy clay loam ; it is cen- 
trally situated from Albany 146, and SE. from Syracuse 14 miles. 
Pop. 4,371. Pompey, Pompey Hill, Oran, and Delphi, are post villa- 
ges. Pompey Hill, on an eminence which overlooks the country 
for a great distance, contains about 70 dwellings, a Baptist and Pres- 
byterian church, and an academy. " About two miles south of Man- 
lius square in the town of Pompey, are the remains of a town, which 
extended three quarters of a mile from north to south, and half a mile 
from east to west. Large spots of black mould in regular intervals, 
and a few paces apart in which are ashes, mark out the sites of the 
houses." Here were three forts of circular or elliptical forms, form- 
ing a triangle which protected the approaches. Near Delphi, in the 
southeast part of the town, are two falls 70 feet perpendicular; near 
this place are the remains of three ancient works. The largest con- 
tains six acres, and has a triangular form. It had a ditch, rampart, 
and gateway ; the others also have ramparts, ditches, and entrances. 
There were many graves within the largest fort, over and around 
which were trees 200 years old. With human bones were found 
axes, brass kettles, gun-barrels, Spanish coins, &c. 

The following account of a French colony located in this town in 
the year 1666, is from a memoir by De Witt Clinton, on the antiqui- 
ties of western New York. He derived the account partly from a 
manuscript journal of one of the Jesuits, and partly from the sachems 
of the Six Nations : — 

"From the Jesuit's journal it appears that in the year 1666, at the request of Karakontie, 
an Onondaga chieftain, a French colony was directed to repair to his village for the purpose 
of teaching the Indians the arts and sciences, and endeavor if practicable to civilize and 
Christianize them. We learn from the sachems that at this time ihe Indians had a fort, a 
short distance above the village of Jamesville, on the banks of a small stream near ; a httle 
above which, it seems the Chief Karakontie would have his new friends set down. Ac- 
cordingly they repaired thither, and commenced the labor, in which being greatly aided by the 
savages, a few months only were necessary to the building of a small village. 

" This little colony remained for three years in a very peaceable and flourishing situation, 
during which time much addition was made to the establishment, and among others a small 
chapel, in which the Jesuit used to collect the barbarians and perform the rites and cere- 
monies of his church. About this time, (1669,) a party of Spaniards, consisting of twenty, 
three persons, arrived at the village, having for guides some of the Iroquois, who had been 
taken captives by some of the southern tribes. It appears evident that this party came up 
the Mississippi, passed Pittsburg, and on to Olean Point, where, leaving their canoes, they 
travelled by land. They had been informed that there was a lake to the north whose boU 
torn was covered with a substance shining and white, which they took from the Indians' 
description to be silver. 

" Having arrived at Onondaga Lake and the French village, and finding no silver, they 
seemed bent on a quarrel with the French, whom they charged with having bribed the In- 
dians, so that they would not tell them where the silver might be found. A compromise was 
finally effected, they agreed that an equal number of Spaniards and French should be sent 
on an exploring expedition. The Indians seeing these strangers prowling the woods, with 
various instruments, suspected some design to be in operation to deprive them of their 
country. This jealousy was much increased by the accusation of the Europeans theniBelves. 



ONONDAGA COUNTY. 393 

The Spaniards told the Indians that the only object of the French was to tyrannize over 
them. The French, on the other hand, asserted that the Spaniards were laying a plan to 
rob them of their lands. 

" The Indians by this time becoming jealous of both, determined in private council to 
rid themselves of these intruders. Having privately obtained the assistance of the Oneidas 
and Cayugas, they agreed upon the time and manner of attack. A little before daybreak 
on All-Saints^ Day, 1669, the little colony, together with the Spaniards, were aroused from 
their slumbers by the discharge of fire-arms and the war-whoop of the savages. Every 
house was immediately fired or broken open, and such as attempted to escape from the 
flames were killed by the tomahawk ; and not one of the colonists or Spaniards were left 
alive to relate the sad disaster." 

This history accounts, in the opinion of its author, for the appear- 
ance at this place of a small village, the evident remain© of a black- 
smith's shop. In several other places in the county, says the Rev. 
Mr. Adams, in his manuscript history, the remains of blacksmiths' 
shops have been discovered, and in some instances the tools used by 
the trade. A blacksmith's vice vi^as found buried deep in the ground 
on a farm in Onondaga Hollow, about three-fourths of a mile south 
of the turnpike. But the existence of a fort near this spot, every ves- 
tige of vi^hich is nearly obliterated, readily accounts for these relics 
of civilization. In the cultivation of the lands lying upon the Onon- 
daga creek, innumerable implements of war and of husbandry have 
been found, scattered over a territory of four or five miles in length. 
Swords, gun-barrels, gun-locks, bayonets, balls, axes, hoes, &c., have 
been found. A stone was found in the town of Pompey, (now in the 
Albany museum,) about fourteen inches long by twelve broad and 
eight inches in thickness. It has in the centre a figure of a tree with 
a serpent climbing it, with the following inscription on each side : — 

Leo X De i LS 
VIx 1520 I t "^ 

We have here the true chronology of the Pontificate of Leo X., 
and probably the year in which the inscriptions were made. The in- 
scription may be thus translated, " Leo X., by the grace of God ; 
sixth year of his Pontificate, 1520." The stone was doubtless de- 
signed as a sepulchral monument. LS., signified the initials of the 
name of the person buried ; the cross, that he was a Catholic ; and 
the inverted [], some other emblem which is now in a great measure 
effaced. Mr. Adams considers that it is not incredible that this stone 
was carved by a Spaniard, on or near the spot where it was found. 
Florida was discovered by the Spaniards as early as 1502. Possibly 
some adventurers of this nation, allured by the story of a lake at the 
north whose bottom was lined with silver [the salt at Salina springs,] 
traversed this region in pursuit of their darling object ; one of the 
number dying here, the survivor or survivors may have placed this 
monument over his remains. 

Salina was taken from Manlius and Onondaga in 1809. The 
township consists of the land reserved by the law of the state for the 
use of the salt springs, and 8 or 9 lots of the original township of 
Manlius. Onondaga Lake, 6 miles long, with an average width of 
one mile, extends into the central part of this town. The water from 

50 



394 



OXONDAGA COUNTY. 



which the salt is made rises in the marshes around its borders, or in 
the margin of the lake. The population of the town, including Syra- 
cuse and the other villages in its vicinity, is 11,012. 




Southeastern view of Salina village. 

The above is a southeastern view of the village of Salina and salt- 
works, as viewed from an elevation called Prospect Hill, which rises 
on the eastern side of Syracuse village. The Oswego canal, which 
forms a junction with the Erie canal at Syracuse, is seen on the left. 
The lake is seen in the distance. The central part of Salina is one 
and a half miles north of Syracuse. It is probable that the two vil- 
lages in the course of a few years, by the increase of population, will 
be blended into one. Salina village lies upon a plain rising near the 
centre of the marsh. It contains 3 churches, a bank, and 86 salt 
manufactories. In 1839 the amount of salt inspected in this village 
was 1,283,204 bushels. The village of Liverpool is about 4$ miles 
north of Syracuse, on the lake and Oswego canal, consisting of about 
(50 dwellings ; the amount of salt inspected here in 1839, was 8.59,733 
bushels. Geddes village was incorporated in 1832; it is pleasantly 
situated 2 miles west from Syracuse, at the head of the lake. The 
amount of salt inspected here in 1839, was 249,245 bushels. The 
amount inspected at Syracuse, was 472,558 bushels. 

The annexed is a western view in the central part of Syracuse,* 

* Syracuse is a remarkable instance of the rapidity of growth of some of our western 
villages. The following, from the pen of the editor of the N. Y. Commercial Advertiser, 
•who visited the place in 1820, and again in 1840, is well worthy of perusal : — 

" It was only in the autumn of 1820, the year in which the middle and first-construct- 
ed section of tlie Erie canal was opened for navigation, that your humble servant made the 
passage from Utica to this place, in a rude boat, alone with Mr. Forman, a distance of 
sixty miles. The country at that time, froiri Rome to Salina, was wild. The canal pierced 
the wilderness at Rome only to emerge therefrom at this place. The land almost the en- 
tire distance was low, marshy, and cold. The forests, most of the distance evergreen, 
were deep and dank ; and the advancing settlers had eschewed the region as unfit for cul- 
tivation. But the clearing for the canal let in a stretch of daylight, which enabled people 
to see more distinctly. The marshes and swamps were to a considerable extent drained 
by the canal ; and its b&iikis, instead of the shades of a gloomy forest, now for ihe most 



♦.^' 



ONONDAGA COUNTY. 




Western view in the central part of Syracuse. 

showing the Erie canal, the Syracuse House, and some other build- 
ings in the vicinity. This village, which now has a city-like appear- 
ance, was incorporated in 1825, contains about 700 houses, the county 
buildings, 1 Episcopal, 1 Presbyterian, 1 Methodist, and 1 Baptist 
church, a bank, and 2 newspaper establishments. The Syracuse 

part refresh the sight by the prospect of a well-settled country, smiling under the hand of 
well-rewarded industry. 

" Mr. Forman was in one sense the father of the canal. That is, being a member of the 
legislature in 1807, (I think that was the year, but have not the journals by me,) he moved 
the first resolution of inquiry upon the subject of opening a channel of artificial navigation 
from the Hudson river to the great lakes. And from that day until the completion of that 
stupendous work, in 1825, his exertions were unremitting and powerful in the cause. Pass, 
ing as the canal does, close by the head of Onondaga lake, within the toss of a biscuit of 
some of the salt springs, and within two miles of the principal and strongest fountain, at 
Salina, Mr. Forman saw the immense advantages which the site of this place presented for 
a town ; with the completion of the middle section of the canal, Syracuse was begun. At 
the period of my first visit, but a few scattered and indifferent wooden houses had been 
erected, amid the stumps of the recently felled trees. I lodged for a night at a miserable 
tavern, thronged by a company of salt-boilers from Sahna, forming a group of about as 
rough-looking specimens of humanity as I had ever seen. Their wild visages, beards thick 
and long, and matted hair, even now rise up in dark, distant, and picturesque perspective 
before me. I passed a resdess night, disturbed by strange fancies, as I yet well remember. 
It was in October, and a flurry of snow during the night had rendered the morning aspect 
of the country more dreary than the evening before. The few houses I have already de. 
scribed, standing upon low and almost marshy ground, and surrounded by trees and en- 
tangled thickets, presented a very uninviting scene. ' Mr. Forman,' said I, ' do you call 
this a village ? It would make an owl weep to fly over it ." ' Never mind,' said he in re. 
pb/, ' you will live to see it a city yet.' 

" These words were prophetical. The contrast between the appearance of the town then 
and now, is wonderful. A city it now is, in extent, and the magnitude and durability of 
its buildings, albeit it may not boast of a mayor and common council to oppress the people 
by insupportable assessments, and partake of turde and champagne for the benefit of the 
poor. But as I glanced upward, and around, upon splendid hotels, and rows of massive 
buildings in all directions, and the lofty spires of churches glittering in the sun, and tra- 
versed the extended and well-built streets, thronged with people full of life and activity — 
the canal basins crowded with boats lading and unlading at the large and lofty stone ware- 
houses upon the wharves — die change seemed like one of enchantment." 



396 ONONDAGA COUNTY. 

academy is a fine brick edifice 4 stories high, with an observatory, 
spacious grounds, &c. The Syracuse House is of brick, 4 stories 
high, and is one of the most splendid establishments of the kind in the 
state. Syracuse is 133 miles from Albany, by the canal 171, 278 from 
New York, 99 from Rochester, and from Utica 61 miles. This town 
embraces the principal salt springs and salt-works of the state, with 
the Onondaga or salt lake. " These salt springs were known to the 
aboriginal inhabitants, who communicated their knowledge to the 
white settlers. One of the latter about 50 years since, with an Indi- 
an guide in a canoe, descended the Onondaga creek, and by the lake 
approached the spring on mud creek. Salt water was at that time 
obtained by lowering to the bottom, four or five feet below the sur- 
face of the fresh water of the lake, an iron vessel ; which filling in- 
stantly with the heavier fluid, was then drawn up. In this way, by 
boiling the brine, a small quantity of brownish-colored and very im- 
pure salt was obtained. With the settlement of the country the vi- 
cinity was explored and many other sources of brine discovered. 
Welis were then sunk, generally to the depth of 18 feet. There was 
a great difference in the strength of water which they afforded, va- 
rying with seasons, and diminishing in draught nearly one third. 
With the introduction of hydraulic machinery for pumping in 1822, 
a more rapid influx of brine was produced, and a new era in the man- 
ufacture. A difference of opinion prevails as to the source of the 
brine. The general opinion is, that beds of rock salt exist here as at 
other salt springs. Borings have been made at several points ; in 
one instance to the depth of 250 feet, without finding fossil salt. But 
the very important fact was elicited, that the strength of the brine 
increased with the depth of the well. The salt beds in Cheshire, 
England, were discovered about 160 years since, in boring for coal 
at about 125 feet below the surface ; and since have been penetrated 
to twice that depth. But the salt mines of Wilielska, near Cravocia, 
in Poland, are worked at the depth of 750 feet ; and those at Epe- 
ries at 950 feet. The failure therefore to discover salt beds here 
should not discourage further efforts. Should beds of rock salt be 
discovered and rendered accessible, this source of wealth must be 
greatly enlarged. The salt beds near Norwich, England, produce 
more than 1 50,000 tons annually — nearly three times as much as the 
annual products of the Onondaga springs. The salt at Salina is 
manufactured by evaporation by the sun, or artificially. By the 
slower process of the former, the coarse salt is made, and the fine by 
the rapid evaporation produced by fire." 

The following cut is a representation of a field of salt vats near 
Syracuse for the manufacture of coarse salt. In the distance is seen 
a pump house, from which the brine is conducted to each of the vats 
by a succession of bored logs. The vats are about 16 feet in length, 
by 7 in width, and are arranged in continuous rows for a great dis- 
tance, as above represented. Between the rows alleys run sufficiently 
wide to admit the passage of a horse and cart. On each side and 
parallel with the vats, there is a Ime of light roofs which can be 



ONONDAGA COUNTY. 



397 



shoved off and on at pleasure, to permit the rays of the sun to act 
upon the waters or to avert the rain. As the salt precipitates, it as- 
sumes the form of beautiful crystals, like the various trinkets fre- 
quently made for the ladies' fairs, &:c. ; the action of shovelling the 
salt into carts destroys the crystals, when of course the elegance of 
form vanishes. These vats with their sheds cover enough ground in 
the vicinity to make several moderate sized farms, and the beams 
of the sun reflecting from their roofs cause them to appear in the dis- 
tance not unlike the surface of a lake. 

The fine salt requires more skill in the manufacture. For this pur- 
pose rough wooden structures are erected about 70 feet in length, 
and 25 feet in breadth. The annexed view of the inside of one of 
these salt manufactories was taken at the entrance, and shows imme- 




View of afield of salt-vats, Salina. 

diately in front the commencement of the oven which runs the remain- 
ing length of the building. On top of it are the boilers, arranged in two 
parallel rows, generally numbering from 15 to 25 boilers in each row, 
which are supplied with the brine by a cylindrical hollow log with 
faucets. This log leads from a reservoir in the rear of the building, 
which in its turn is filled by tubular logs, connecting with the pump 
house, which in some cases is a mile or more distant. There are in 
the whole many miles of aqueduct logs, which are generally con- 
structed of pine. On entering one of these works at night the view 
is interesting. Clouds of vapor are continually ascending from the 
numerous boilers, and partially obscuring the forms of the attendants. 
Huge piles of salt of snowy whiteness in the bins each side of the 
building are beheld laying in contact with the rough, dingy walls, 
while the fire from the furnace, shedding a partial light over the 
whole, renders it a striking scene. 

" There are, however, various modes of applying artificial heat in 
the manufacture of salt, other than that employed in the ordinary 
process of boiling in kettles. In one arrangement, tubes heated by 
steam pass through a vat or vats of considerable extent, the brine 
having been previously freed from its insoluble impurities, by being 



398 



ONONDAGA COUNTY. 



I I I I I I I I ' ll 

I / ' 

I3i ltL I /JJI f* 



Internal view of a salt manufactory, Salina. 

allowed to remain for some time in the cistern, or by the addition of 
lime. This fm-nishes salt in tine cubic crystals of great pm-ity, es- 
pecially in those parts of the vats which are at some distance from 
the immediate source of heat." 

The springs from which the works are supplied are pierced through 
the alluvial and terminate on gravel. The strength of the brine is 
graduated on the following standard: fresh water being placed at 0°, 
and water perfectly saturated with salt at 100°. According to this, 
the " old spring" stands at 50°, and the "new" at 70°. In each cubic 
foot of water there is about 2^ ounces of " bitterns," or impure de- 
posit composed of lime, iron, &c. Fourteen pounds of salt are man- 
ufactured from a cubic foot of the water from the strongest spring. 

The salt-works are quite a source of revenue to the state, as it re- 
ceives 2 mills a bushel for pumping the water, and 6 cents duty on 
the salt made. The amount annually manufactured is three millions 
of bushels ; and the number of men employed in the four villages of 
Geddes, Liverpool, Salina, and Syracuse, about three thousand. 



Account of a French Colony established at Onondaga, in 1656, under the auspices of 
Le Sieur Dupuys.* 

" The Jesuit Dablon had established himself at Onondaea in the character of a mission- 
ary. He arrived here in the month of September, 1655. In March of the following year, 
he in company with a numerous escort of savages, made the voyage to Quebec for the pur- 
pose of persuading M. de Lauson to establish a French colony at Onondaga. He arrived 
there in the beginning of April, and had no difficulty in getting M. De Lauson to enter into 
his views. Fifty Frenchmen were selected to go and form the proposed establishment, and 
the Sieur Dupuys, an officer of the garrison, was appointed their commandant. Father 
Francis Le Mercier, Superior General of the Catholic Missions, was desirous of conducting 
in person those whom he had destined to establish the first Iroquois church, who were 
Fathers Freemen, Mesnard, and Dablon. Their departure was fixed for the 7th of May, 
and although the crop had been lighter than usual, they gave Dupuys provisions sufficient 
to last him a whole year, with grain enough to enable him to sow the land. 

" The news of this enterprise being spread all around, gave the Mohawks much concern. 



Copied from a MS. History, by tlie Rev. J. W. Adams, of Syracuse. 



ONONDAGA COUNTY. 399 

and revived their jealousy towards the Onondagas. A general council of all the tribe was 
called to deliberate upon this affair, which seemed to them of great importance, and the 
conclusion was, that all their resources must be put in requisition to oppose the new estab- 
lishment. A party of 400 men was immediately raised, and orders were given them either 
to disperse or cut to pieces the company of M. Dupuys. They failed, however, to accom- 
plish their object, and only revenged themselves upon some straggling canoes, which were 
pillaged, and a part of those who conducted them were wounded. After a short stay at 
Three Rivers and at Montreal, M. Dupuys left the latter place on the 8th of June, and the 
same day fell in with a party of Mohawks, whom he pillaged as a reprisal for the outrage 
related above. 

" On the 29th of the same month, towards 9 o'clock in the evening, they heard in the 
camp the voice of a man groaning. The commandant ordered the drum to be beat, and im- 
mediately they perceived a savage approaching in great distress. He was a Huron, who 
had escaped after die expedition of the isle of Orleans. The skin of his body was half 
roasted, and for seventeen days he had taken no nourishment, except some wild fruits 
which he had gathered. The Onondagas who accompanied the French, made him a drink 
which soon restored the tone of his stomach. They then gave him some provisions and 
sent him on to Quebec. 

" The remainder of the voyage was prosperous, except that they suffered from a scarcity 
of provisions, which had been very badly managed. They had calculated as usual upon find- 
ing an abundance of fish and game. Both however failed, and the French, who were unac- 
customed to fasting like the Indians, would have perished with hunger, had not the Onon- 
daga sachems sent to meet them some canoes loaded with provisions. They learnt from 
these Indians, that a great number of the Iroquois of all the tribes, were awaiting their ar. 
rival on the shores of the Lake Gannentaha. M. Dupuys, therefore, prepared himself to 
make his entrance into the lake as imposing as possible. Before arriving at the place 
where the savages were stationed, he put ashore 5 small pieces of ordnance, and had them 
discharged. He then re-embarked, and rowing in beautiful order, entered the lake, where 
in less than an hour he made two discharges of all his musketry. He was received by the 
sachems and such as were with them awaidng his arrival with the greatest apparent cor- 
diality and respect. They were welcomed with harangues, feasts, songs, and dances, and 
with every demonstration of joy which the savages were capable of giving. On the follow, 
ing day, which was the 12th of July, a solemn mass was offered and the Te Deum sung. 
The sachems then made presents, as they were accustomed to do in treaties of alliance, and 
on the 16th the French all united in celebrating the Eucharist. On the day following they 
commenced building huts, and Father Mercier went to visit the village of the Onondagas, 
where he was received with great ceremony. On the 24th a general council was held, at 
which the Jesuits, Mercier and Chaumont, explained the views of the French and solicited 
their kind regards to their new neighbors. They also endeavored to enlighten their minds 
on the subject of religion, and produced so great an impression as to render it necessary to 
enlarge the chapel which had been built nearly a year before, more than one half. They 
experienced in the month of August excessive heat, which produced much sickness ; but 
by the kind attention of the savages all the disorders were eased in a short time. 

" This last mark of affection from these people persuaded the more credulous of them to 
believe that they might rely upon them in all cases ; but the more prudent of them thought* 
it necessary to make use of precaution at least against their inconstancy ; and these were 
found in the end to have pursued the wisest course, for two years had not elapsed before 
they were compelled by the perfidy of the savages to abandon their settlement and return 
to Montreal. A conspiracy which extended itself through the Iroquois cantons was formed 
against them, and unequivocal indications of hosulity were soon given. Three Frenchmen 
were scalped near Montreal by the confederates, and other hostilities committed, which left 
no doubt in the minds of the French of their intention to destroy the new colony. In the 
month of Feb., 1658, numerous bands of Mohawks, Oneidas, and Onondagas, had taken 
the field equipped for war. Dupuys was informed of all that transpired by a converted In- 
dian. He found himself greatly embarrassed, and indeed saw no means of extricating 
himself from the difficulty without much trouble and at great hazard. To fortify h«nself 
and sustain a siege would be only to put off his ruin and not prevent it, for he had no suc- 
cor to hope for from Quebec, or it would not be able to reach him in time. It would be- 
come necessary sooner or later to yield or die fighting, or at length to perish of hunger and 
misery. 

" To effect his escape M. Dupuys required first to construct some canoes, for they had 
not taken the precaution to reserve any. But to work at them publicly would be to an- 
nounce his retreat, and thereby render it impossible. Something must be resolved on im- 
mediately, and the commandant adopted the following plan. He immediately sent an 



400 ONONDAGA COUNTY. 

express to M. D'Aillebout to inform him of the conspiracy. He then gave orders for the 
construction of some small light batteaux ; and to prevent the Iroquois from getting wind of 
it, he made his people work in the garret of the Jesuit's house, which was larger and more 
retired than the others. 

*' This done, he warned all his people to hold themselves in readiness to depart on the 
day which he named to them, and he supplied each one with provisions sufficient for the 
voyage, and charged them to do nothing m the mean time to excite the suspicions of the 
Iroquois. It only remained now to concert measures for embarking so .secretly that the 
savages should have no knowledge of their retreat until they should have advanced so far 
as not to fear pursuit, and this they accomplished by a stratagem singular enough. 

" A certain young Frenchman who had acquired great influence with the Indians, had 
been adopted into one of their most respectable families. According to the custom of the 
Indians, whoever was adopted by them became entitled to all the privileges that belonged 
to native members of the family. This young man went one day to his adopted father, and 
told him that he had on the night before dreamed of one of those feasts where the guests 
eat every thing that is served, and that he desired to have one of the kind made for the viU 
lage ; and he added, that it was deeply impressed upon his mind he should die if a single 
thing were wanting to render the feast just such a one as he described. The Indian gravely 
replied that he should be exceedingly sorry to have him die, and would therefore order the 
repast hitnself and take care to make the invitations, and he assured him that nothing should 
be wanting to render the entertainment every way such an one as he wished. The young 
man having obtained these assurances, appointed for his feast the 19th of March, which 
was the day fixed upon for the departure of the French. All the provisions which the 
families through the village could spare were contributed for the feast, and all the Indians 
were invited to attend. 

" The entertainment began in the evening, and to give the French an opportunity to put 
their boats into the water and to load them for the voyage without being observed, the 
drums and trumpets ceased not to sound around the scene of festivity. 

" The boats having now been launched and every thing put in readiness for a departure, 
the young man, at the signal agreed upon, went to his adopted father and said to him, that 
he pitied the guests, who had for the most part asked quarter, that they might cease eating, 
and give themselves to repose, and adding, that he meant to procure for every one a good 
night's sleep. He began playing on the guitar, and in less than a quarter of an hour every 
Indian was laid soundly to sleep. The young Frenchman immediately saUied forth to join 
his companions, who were ready at the instant to push from the shore. 

" The next morning a number of the Indians went, according to their custom on awaking, 
to see the French, and found all the doors of their houses shut and locked. This strange 
circumstance, joined to the profound silence which everywhere reigned through the French 
settlement, surprised them. They imagined at first that the French were saying mass, or 
that they were in secret council ; but after having in vain waited for many hours to have 
the mystery solved, they went and knocked at some of the doors. The dogs who had been 
left in the houses replied to them by barking. They perceived some fowls also through 
the palings, but no person could be seen or heard. At length, having waited until evening, 
they forced open the doors, and to their utter astonishment found every house empty, 
* " The savages could not explain this movement. They could not comprehend how the 
French, whom they knew to have no canoes, had got away, and there was no idle fancy 
that did not enter into their heads rather than imagine in what manner the thing had hap. 
pened. This was the first time in which boats had been used for such voyages. But had 
the French possessed canoes, it would not have been possible to use them, as the rivers 
were still covered with ice, and from this cause the Indians were prevented from success- 
fully pursuing them. M. Dupuys took care however to leave nothing to fear from a pur- 
suit. He used such diligence, that in spite of contrary winds which detained him a long 
time on Lake Ontario, he arrived at Montreal in fifteen days. The pleasure of finding him. 
self delivered from such imminent danger, could not however prevent him from feeling sen- 
sibly, that so precipitate a flight was disgraceful to his nation, and from regretting that for 
the Want of a trifling aid, he had been unable to sustain an establishment of so much im- 
portance, and of giving law to a people who drew their strength and the right of insulting 
them from their weakness. 

" The Iroquois after this carried war into Canada, and in 1660, the colony was reduced 
to extreme distress by sickness and the incursions of the savages. In the year following it 
was ascertained that there was not less than twenty Frenchmen in Onondaga. They had 
been taken prisoners, but were suffered to enjoy a considerable degree of liberty. These 
men had converted a wigwam into a chapel, where, in connection with many of the Hu- 
rons and some of the Onondagas, they regularly assembled to say mass. It was reported 



ONONDAGA COUNTY. 401 

also that the matrons of the Onondaga village, who are the principal corps d'Etat, had 
taken no part in the conspiracy which had obliged Dupuys to reire, and that for seven days 
successively they had wept with their children for the loss of the French priests. This re- 
port however had no foundation in truth. The creduhty of the Jesuit could not distinguish, 
in matters of religion, between things which he only desired might be true and those which 
were really so." 

Location of the colonies of Dupuys. — It will be very natural to 
conclude from the account which we have now given of the colony 
of Dupuys, that its location was contiguous to the Onondaga village. 
Such however was not the fact, if by the village of Onondaga be 
meant their principal village. From some incidental allusions made 
in history to the relative position of this colony, it is to be inferred 
that it was established upon grounds now occupied by the village of 
Salina. In a passage of the history written by Francis Creuxius, 
which we have already had occasion to quote, it is stated that the 
place agreed upon for the residence of the French was distant from 
the Indian village about four French, leagues, and that this place was 
distinguished for two remarkable springs, issuing from the same hill, 
the one affording an abundance of salt water, the other of fresh. He 
states, also, that at this place there was an extensive meadow, or 
spacious open grounds which reached down to the bank of the Lake 
Gannentaha. It appears also from the circumstances connected with 
the departure of the colony, that they must have been in the imme- 
diate vicinity of the lake, as their batteaux were constructed in the 
Jesuit's house, and launched and freighted without any allusion from 
the historians to the time that must have been occupied or the diffi- 
culties that must have been encountered in transporting them to the 
place of debarkation. The reason why the narrative proceeds as 
though the Onondaga village and the French settlement occupied the 
same grounds, or were in (adjacent juxtaposition) to each other, is 
this — that the Indians were distributed into different villages or en- 
campments, one of which was in the immediate vicinity of the place 
where Salina now stands. The main village was at Onondaga, but 
a constant intercourse was kept up between the different encamp- 
ments, and the French settlement was now a point of attraction 
around which the Indians rallied ; and this explains the facility of 
intercourse which existed between the French at Salina and the 
Indians at Onondaga. 

Skaneateles was taken from Marcellus in 1830. Pop. 3,981. 
The village of Skaneateles is situated at the outlet or northern ter- 
mination of the lake of that name, 18 miles SV.. from Syracuse, and 
has about 1,500 inhabitants. It is one of the most delightful and pic- 
turesque villages in western New York. The following shows the 
appearance of the village of Skaneateles as viewed from the residence 
of Mr. Joseph Barber, on the western Lake road in the vicinity of the 
outlet of the lake, seen on the left ; the Episcopal and Presbyterian 
churches are seen on the right. From this village the eye measures 
about half the distance of the lake, which is 16 miles in length by an 
average width of one mile. There is no marshy land on either shore 
of this lake. The soil is of the best Limestone quality, and the finely 

51 



402 



ONONDAGA COUNTY. 




Southwestern view of Skaneateles. 

cultivated fields (mostly fenced with cedar posts and hemlock boards) 
make a gradual descent for a considerable distance to the margin of 
the lake. A railroad, 5 miles in length, has lately been constructed from 
this village north to Elbridge, where it intersects the railroad from Al- 
bany to Buffalo. A charter was obtained during the session of the legis- 
lature in 1841, for extending this lateral road 3 miles further north to 
the village of Jordan, on the Erie canal, where that canal receives a 
feeder from the Skaneateles lake, after its waters have afforded an 
immense power for milling and manufacturing purposes, the descent 
of the 8 miles from Skaneateles to Jordan being about 500 feet. The 
railroad between these two villages will run near the margin of this 
stream, affording important facilities to flouring mills and manufac- 
turers. Goods will hereafter be carried on this road from Jordan 
to Skaneateles, and thence through the lake to Cortland county. 
Should a railroad be constructed from the head of the lake through 
Homer south to the Susquehannah, (and such an enterprise is much 
talked of,) Skaneateles and Jordan will become places of exten- 
sive business. Among the important items of transportation, will be 
that of coal from Pennsylvania, to be more particularly distributed at 
Jordan to various points. Previous to the making of the Erie canal, 
the great thoroughfare for merchandise and emigration to the west 
was through Skaneateles. Since the completion of that work, this 
village has not kept pace with some new towns which have grown 
into large cities in a few years, under the peculiar advantages afford- 
ed by the great internal improvements ; but from its unsurpassed 
beauty of location, and its great facilities for manufacturing purposes, 
it cannot but experience a steady and healthful growth, until at some 
future day it will become a place of no ordinary importance. The 
stranger who visits this beautiful village, often expresses surprise that 
it has not long since been selected as the site of an extensive semina- 
ry of learning, or some public benevolent institution. In the village 



ONTARIO COUNTY. 403 

are 9 or 10 stores, three carriage-making establishments, an extensive 
woollen factory, flouring mill, iron foundry, machine shop, and va- 
rious mechanics. The first grist-mill was erected in the village in 
1795. About the same time the first merchant, Winston Day, estab- 
lished himself here. Bricks were first made here in 1797 ; the first 
tavern was erected the same year, and only two houses besides (of 
logs) in what is now called the village. The town had been first 
settled a few years earlier on the old Genesee road. The first bridge 
across near the outlet of the lake, was built about 1800. The first 
church in the place was organized July 20th, 1801, and then styled 
" The First Church of Christ in Marcellus." It was organized a Con- 
gregational church, but subsequently changed to the Presbyterian 
form of government. At its organization it consisted of but six 
members. In the course of about three months it increased to 19. 
It is believed to be the first church of any denomination that was 
formed in the old and formerly extensive town of Marcellus. There 
have been for many years past in the village a Baptist, Episcopal, 
and Methodist church, now flourishing societies. 

Spafford was named after Horatio Gates SpafFord, LL. D., author 
of the Gazetteer of New York. It was taken from Tully, in 1811 ; 
since which a portion has been added from Marcellus ; from Albany 
157 miles. It was settled in 1806, by New England farmers. It 
is bounded on the W. by the Skaneateles lake. Spafford, 20 miles 
SW. from Syracuse, and Borodino, are small settlements. Pop. 1,873. 

Tully, taken from Fabius in 1803; bounds since altered; from 
Albany 128 miles. Tully, 18 miles S". of Syracuse, contains about 30 
dwellings. TuUey, Tulley Valley, and Vesper, are villages. Pop. 
1,663. 

Van Buren, taken from Camillus in 1829 ; from Syracuse, NW. 14 
miles. Macksville and Canton are small villages. Pop. 3,021. 



ONTARIO COUNTY. 

Ontario county was taken from Montgomery in 1789, and in- 
cluded all the land of which the pre-emptive right had been ceded to 
the state of Massachusetts, which that state afterward sold to 
Phelps and Gorham, and which afterward chiefly passed into the 
possession of the Holland Land Company and the Pulteney estate. 
Ontario county then extended from the pre-emption line a mile east- 
ward of Geneva, so as to include within its limits all the territory 
within the bounds of this state west of that line. This was commonly 
known as the " Genesee country," although the title was occasionally 
more extensively applied, and from it has been formed the counties 
of Steuben, Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chatauque, Erie, Niagara, Genesee, 
Wyoming, Orleans, Monroe, Livingston, Yates, Wayne, in part, leav- 



404 



ONTARIO COUNTY. 



ing to a tract around the former chief town, (Canandaigua,) the name 
of Ontario. In 1790, this extensive territory had only 1,075 inhabitants. 
The surface is agreeably diversified, waving in gentle swells and 
valleys of ample area, with tracts of champaign, and in the southern 
part more or less hilly. The soil partakes of a considerable variety, 
but a warm and rich mould forms the greater proportion, while along 
the borders of Lake Ontario there are tracts of clayey loam, with 
but a slight admixture of mould. The principal streams are Flint 
creek, Canandaigua outlet, and Mud creek. The lakes are Canan- 
daigua, Honeoye, Caneadea, and Hemlock. The county has 15 
towns, all of which, not otherwise noted, were organized in 1789. 
Pop. 43,501. 

Bristol, from Albany 203 miles. North Bristol, 8 miles SW. 
from Canandaigua, and Bristol Centre, are small villages. Pop. 1,953. 

Canadice, taken from Richmond in 1829; from Albany 216, from 
Canandaigua SW. 24 miles. Canadice and Coyken Falls Corners 
are post-offices. Pop. 1,341. 




Southwest view of the central part of Canandaigua. 

Canandaigua lies principally on the western side of Canandaigua 
lake ; it has a fertile soil, and its surface is diversified with gentle 
undulations and fine level tracts. Pop. 5,652. Canandaigua village, 
the capital of Ontario county, is situated in N. lat. 42° 48' 41", and 
3° 20' W. long, from New York. Distant from Albany 195 miles, 
from Buffalo 88, from Rochester 28, from Utica 111, from Sodus 
Bay on Lake Ontario 30, from the Erie canal at Palmyra 12, and 
from Washington city 365 miles. The principal part of the village 
is built on a single street upwards of a mile in length, rising by a 
gentle ascent from the lake. The annexed engraving shows the ap- 
pearance of the central part of the village as seen from the Genesee 
road, about half a mile to the southwest. In the central part of the 
street, (north and south,) is an open square, on the w-estern side of 
"which are seen the courthouse, town-house and post-office. Blos- 
som's hotel stands on the opposite side. The railroad passes a few 
yards westward of the courthouse. There are 4 churches — 1 Pres- 
byterian, 1 Baptist, 1 Methodist, and 1 Episcopal — 2 banks, 2 print- 
ttig offices, a state arsenal and academy, and a female seminary. 



ONTARIO COUNTY. 



405 



The residences of the inhabitants, and the tasteful manner in which 
their grounds are laid out, are, it is believed, not exceeded in beautv 
in any village in this country. Many of their mansions are large, 
splendidly furnished, surrounded by trees, commodious walks, odor- 
iferous shrubberies, beautiful gardens and orchards adorned with 
flowers and fruits of various kinds, giving an air of wealth and re- 
finement to this village rarely elsewhere to be found. The Ontario 
Female Seminary, founded by the subscriptions of the inhabitants, 
and incorporated in 1825, is an institution of high reputation. The 
number of pupils in 1839 was 174. The Canandaigua academy was 
founded by the liberal donations of Messrs. Gorham and Phelps. 
" The plan of this school embraces a thorough and extended course of 
English and mathematical study, instruction in the Latin and Greek 
classics, to an advanced standing of one or two years in our colleges, 
the teaching of the French language, and a department for the edu- 
cation of common school teachers. A course of mathematical study, 
as extensive and as practical as is usually pursued in our colleges, is 
taught in this academy. Surveying and civil engineering are ably 
and practically taught." 



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South view of Canandaigua academy. 

The academy building, of which the annexed is a representation, 
is 130 feet long; it has 3 schoolrooms, 2 recitation, and 42 rooms 
for students, and apartments for the principal and his family. This 
institution has been selected by the regents of the university as one 
of the academies for the education of school teachers, and a depart- 
ment for this purpose has been organized. The course adopted will 
probably require three years, allowing the student to teach school 
four months each year. The annual expenses of a student, for board, 
tuition, room rent, and washing, are about $100. Many pupils, by 
adopting an economical mode of board, reduce their expenses to #60 
a year. The principal of the institution is Henry Howe, A. M. 

In the summer of 1788, the year after the purchase of western 
New York by Messrs. Phelps and Gorham, Oliver Phelps left Gran- 
ville, Mass., with men and means for the purpose of exploring and 
surveying this extensive territory. The wilderness was penetrated 



406 ONTARIO COUNTY. 

as far as Canandaigua, about 130 miles west of the German Flats, 
then considered on the frontiers of civilization. By the assistance of 
the Rev. Mr. Kirkland, the missionary among the Six Nations, and a 
commissioner on behalf of Massachusetts, Mr. Phelps succeeded in 
collecting the chiefs and warriors of those tribes whose warlike spirit 
still rankled, on account of the chastisement inflicted by Sullivan's 
expedition. This conference with the Indians was held on a beauti- 
ful elevation overlooking Canandaigua lake. 

" Two days had passed away in negotiation with the Indians for a cession of their lands. 
The contract was supposed to be nearly completed, when Red Jacket arose. With the 
grace and dignity of a Roman senator, he drew his blanket around him, and with a piercing 
eye surveyed the multitude. All was hushed. Nothing interposed to break the silence, 
save the rustling of the tree-tops, under whose shade they were gathered. After a long 
and solemn, but not unmeaning pause, he commenced his speech in a low voice and sen- 
tentious style. Rising gradually with his subject, he depicted the primitive simphcity and 
happiness of his nation, and the wrongs they had sustained from the usurpations of the 
white man, with such a bold but faithful pencil, that the Indian auditors were soon roused 
to vengeance or melted into tears, 

" The effect was inexpressible. But, ere the emotions of admiration and sympathy had 
subsided, the white men became alarmed. They were in the heart of an Indian country, 
surrounded by more than ten times their number, who were inflamed by the remembrance 
of their injuries, and excited to indignation by the eloquence of a favorite chief. Appalled 
and terrified, the white men cast a cheerless gaze upon the hordes around them. A nod 
from the chiefs might be the onset of destruction. At that portentous moment, Farmer's 
Brother interposed. He replied not to his brother chief; but, with the sagacity truly abo- 
riginal, he caused a cessation of the council, introduced good cheer, commended the elo- 
quence of Red Jacket, and, before the meeting had reassembled, with the aid of other 
prudent chiefs, he had moderated the fury of his nation to a more salutary review of the 
question before them." 

The reassemblage of the council in cooler blood was followed by 
the satisfactory arrangement of the treaty, whereby the Indian title 
to more than two millions of acres was extinguished. The following 
account of facts connected with the operations of Phelps and Gorham, 
are from the Rochester Directory, published in 1827. 

" After the treaty, Mr. Phelps surveyed the land into tracts, denominated Banges, run- 
ning north and south, and subdivided the ranges into tracts of six miles square, denominated 
Townships, and designated each by numbers, beginning to number both ranges and town, 
ships at the 82d milestone, in the southeast corner of the tract, [now the southeast corner 
of Steuben county,] numbering the townships northwardly to the lake from one to fourteen, 
and the ranges westwardly from one to seven. Thus, Bath is designated as township 
number four, in the third range ; Canandaigua as township number ten, in the third range ; 
Pittsford as number twelve, in the fifth range ; and Brighton as number thirteen, in the 
seventh range of townships, in Gorham and Phelps' purchase. 

" As the Genesee river runs about twenty-four degrees east of north below Avon, and 
Mr. Phelps continued his seventh range of townships to the lake, the fifth range was left to 
contain but twelve, and the sixth range but ten townships ; and, in order to square the 
tract lying west of Genesee river, he set oflT two townships near the lake, which he called 
the Short Range, now comprising the towns of Gates and Greece, [and part of Rochester;] 
and the present towns of Caledonia, Wheatland, Chih, Riga, (3gden, and Parma, being then 
four townships, he called the first range of townships west of Genesee river, in Gorham 
and Phelps' purchase. 

"This tract formed the counties of Ontario and Steuben for many years, until 1821, 
when Monroe and Livingston counties were formed, except that part of it lying west of 
the river, which was annexed to the county of Genesee at its organization in 1802, and the 
south part of the seventh range set off from Steuben to Allegany. 

" In 1789, Oliver Phelps opened a land-office in Canandaigua — this was the first land- 
office in America for the sale of her forest-lands to settlers ; and the system which he 
adopted for the survey of his lands, by townships and ranges became a model for the man- 



■ ONTARIO COUNTY. 407 

ner of surveying all the new lands in the United States ; and the method of making his 
retail sales to settlers by articles has also been adopted by all the other land-offices of indi- 
vidual proprietorships that have followed after him. 

" The Article was a new device, of American origin, unknown in the English system 
of conveyancing ; granting the possession, but not the fee of the land; facilitating the fre- 
quent changes among new settlers, enabling them to sell out their improvements and trans, 
fer their possession by assignment, and securing the reversion of the possession to the 
proprietor where they abandoned the premises. His land-sales were allodial ; and the other 
land-offices following his example, have rendered the Genesee farmers all fee-simple land, 
holders, which has increased the value of the soil and the enterprise of the people. 

" Oliver Phelps may be considered the Cecrops of the Genesee country. Its inhabitants 
owe a mausoleum to his memory, in gratitude for his having pioneered for them the wil- 
derness of this Canaan of the West." 

Mr. Maude, who travelled through this part of the country in 
1800, says : " Canandaigua, in 1792, was not further advanced in im- 
provement than Geneva, as it then consisted of only two frame houses, 
and a few log houses. It is now one third larger than Geneva, con- 
taining 90 families, and is the county town. Canandaigua consists 
of one street ; from this street are laid off sixty lots, thirty on each 
side. Each lot contains forty acres, having only 22 perches, or 121 
yards in front ; thirty lots consequently extend the town upwards of 
two miles ; but the extremities of the present town are not more than 
a mile and half apart. These lots are valued in their unimproved 
state at $600 or $1,000 each. — The principal inhabitants of Canan- 
daigua are, Thomas Morris, Esq., Mr. Phelps, Mr. Gorham, (who 
are the greatest land-owners in Canandaigua and its neighborhood,) 
and Judge Atwater. I was introduced also to Mr. Greig, from Mor- 
peth, in England — a gentleman reading law with Mr. Morris." 

" The settlement of this town," (Canandaigua,) says Mr. Spafford in 
his Gazetteer, "commenced in 1790, and in 1797 I found it but 
feeble, contending with innumerable embarrassments and difficulties. 
The spring of that year was uncommonly wet and cold. Besides a 
good deal of sickness, mud knee-deep, musquitoes and gnats so thick 
that you could hardly breathe without swallowing them, rattle-snakes, 
and the ten thousand discouragements everywhere incident to new 
settlements, — surrounded by these, in June of that year I saw with 
wonder that these people, all Yankees from Massachusetts, Connec- 
ticut, and Vermont, were perfectly undismayed, ' looking forward in 
hope, sure and steadfast.' They talked to me of what the country 
would be, by and by, as it were history, and I received it as nW fable. 
In order to see the whole power of the county, a militia muster of 
all the men capable of bearing arms, I waited a day or two to attend 
the training. Major Wadsworth was the commanding officer, and, 
including the men who had guns and those who had not, the boys, 
women, and children, it was supposed that near 200 persons were 
collected. This training, one of the first, was held at Capt. Pitts's, 
on the Honeoye, and lasted all day and all night." 

The following inscriptions are copied from monuments in the grave- 
yard in this place. 

" Gideon Granger, died Dec. 31, 1822, aged 55 years. Mr. Granger was bom at Suf. 
field, Connecticut, on the 19th of July, 1767. Having completed his education at Yale 



408 ONTARIO COUNTY. 

college, he soon appeared at the bar, where he sustained a high character. He early min- 
gled in the political conflicts of his country, in whose service he was engaged until a short 
time before his death. His native state will long remember him as one of the earliest and 
ablest advocates of her school fund system. For thirteen years he presided over the general 
post-office department, with zeal and usefulness. Bold in design and ardent in execution, 
true to his friends and liberal to his adversaries, warm in his attachments and social in his 
habits, his hfe was endeared to his associates and valuable to mankind. 



"In memory of Nathaniel Gorham, who died Oct. 21st, 1826, aged 63 years.' 



" This is erected to the memory of the Hon. Oliver Phelps, Esq., who died 21st of 
Feb. 1809, in the 60th year of his age. He was born in the town of Windsor, in the State 
of Connecticut, and at the age of 7 years he removed to Suffield. And at the age of 22 
years he removed from thence to Granville, in the State of Massachusetts, where he was 
honored with many important trusts under the government of that commonwealth. At the 
commencement of the revolutionary war, he took an active part in the defence of his coun- 
try, and in various offices and relations, remained with the American army until Great 
Britain was compelled to acknowledge the Independence of the United States. On the 1st 
of April, 1788, the deceased, in company with the Hon. Nathaniel Gorham, Esq., purchased 
of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, its pre-emptive right to the lands now comprised in 
the counties of Ontario, Steuben, Genesee, Niagara, Cattaraugus, Chatauque, and Allegany. 
In July of the same year he extinguished the Indian title in that part of it comprehended in 
the counties of Ontario and Steuben, and immediately thereafter opened the settlement of 
the country which has been generally known by the appellation of the Genesee country. 
In March, 1802, he removed with his family to this place, where he resided till his death. 
He was appointed the first Judge of the county of Ontario, and elected a representative in 
congress for the district. — Enterprise, Industry, and Temperance, cannot always ensure 
success, but the fruit of these virtues will be felt by society." 

East Bloomfield ; from Albany 203 miles. East Bloomfield, 9 
miles NW. from Canandaigua, has about 3,5 dwellincrs. Pop. 1,986. 

Farmington, from Albany 205, from Canandaigua N. 8 miles. 
This town is inhabited by Friends, noted, like all that sect, for their 
honesty, industry, and neatness. Pop. 2,122. New Salem 12, 
Brownsville 14 miles NW. of Canandaigua, and Farmington, are 
small villages. 

Gorham; from Albany W. 189 miles. Bethel, 10 miles SE. from 
Canandaigua, has about 40 dwellings. Rushville, 10 miles SE. from 
Canandaigua, partly in Yates county, has about 70 dwellings. Cen- 
tre Gorham, is the name of a post-office, and Swarts Corners a small 
settlement. Pop. 2,779. 

Hopewell, taken from Gorham in 1822; W. from Albany 190 
miles. Chapinsville, on the outlet of Canandaigua lake, 3 miles NE., 
Hopewell 7 W. of Canandaigua, and Hopewell Centre, are small 
villages. Pop. 1,97G. 

Manchester, originally named Burt, and taken from Farmington 
in 1821 ; from Albany 201 miles. Manchester, 7 miles NE. from 
Canandaigua, has about 4.5 dwellings. Port Gibson, on the Erie 
canal, 12 miles NE. from Canandaigua, has from 40 to 50 dwellings. 
Shortsville 6, and Coonsville 9 miles NE. from Canandaigua, are 
smaller villages. Pop. 2,912. 

Naples, settled in 1791, and originally named Middletown ; from 
Albany 211 miles. Naples, near the head of Canandaigua lake, on 
the Bath road, 22 miles SW. from Canandaigua, has about 45 dwell- 
ings. Pop. 2,345. 



ONTARIO COUNTY. 



409 



Phelps, 185 miles W. from Albany, is one of the best wheat-grow- 
ing towns in the state. Pop. 5,563. The village of Vienna is beau- 
tifully situated at the junction of Flint creek and the outlet of Canan- 
daigua lake, on the line of the Auburn and Rochester railroad, 6 miles 
S. of the Erie canal and 14 from Canandaigua. It is the principal 
produce market for the surrounding country. There are here 2 
JPresbyterian, 1 Methodist, and 1 Episcopal church, an Episcopal 
Female Seminary, 15 stores, 1 printing office, 5 flouring mills, whiph 
manufacture 37,300 barrels of flour annually, 2 grist-mills, 5 saw-mills, 
5 plaster-mills, 1 clover-mill, 1 furnace, and many other n)anufacturing 
establishments. Vienna has a population of 1,400. In the vicinity 
are inexhaustible beds of gypsum, water and quick lime. Phelps and 
Oi'leans are small settlements. 

Richmond, originally named Pittstown ; from Albany 211 miles. 
Aliens Hill, 14 miles W. from Canandaigua, West Richmond, Rich- 
mond Centre, and Pitts Flats, are small villages. Pop. 1,937. 




Northeastern view of Geneva. 

Seneca has an undulating surface and good soil. Pop. 7,073. 
The village of Geneva in this town, one of the most beautifully situ- 
ated places in the state, was founded in 1794, by Messrs. Annin and 
Barton, and incorporated in 1812. Distant from Albany 179 miles, 
i)8 from Utica, 23 from Auburn, 106 from Buflalo, 16 from Canan- 
dai^-i, and 58 N. of Elmira. The Cayuga and Seneca canal con- 
nects Geneva with the Erie canal at Montezuma, a distance of 20 
miles, one half canal and one half slack-water navigation. The village 
is situated at the NW. corner of Seneca lake, on the side and summit 
of an eminence 120 feet above the surface of the lake. The princi- 
pal street runs parallel with the lake shore ; the mansion houses on the 
eastern side in the southern part of the village have terraced gardens 
reaching down to the lake. Few, if any places in this country, can 
be selected, which pi^esent more attractions for persons retiring from 
business, who wish the enjoytnents of a country life, c'ombined with 

52 



410 ONTARIO COUNTY. 

the advantages of social intercourse. The village contains about 
480 dwellings, 1 Episcopal, 1 Presbyterian, 2 Methodist, 1 Baptist, 
1 Associate Reformed, 1 Reformed Dutch, 1 Catholic, and 1 Univer- 
salist church, a bank, with a capital of $400,000, and 2 newspaper 
printing offices. 

The Geneva college, in this place, was founded by the inhabitants 
and incorporated in 1825, having a president, a professor of mathe- 
matics and natural philosophy, a professor of the Latin and Greek 
languages and literature, a professor of statistics and civil engineer- 
ing, a professor of modern languages, history, and belle-letters, a profes- 
sor of chemistry and mineralogy. There is also a medical depart- 
ment, having four professors. " This college was one of the first, if 
not the very first, to adopt those liberal improvements which aflbrd 
the advantages of a scientific and literary education to young men, 
who, from the want of time or inclination, are averse to entering on 
the study of the classics, and who, were no provision made to meet 
the exigency, would be deprived of many advantages to be derived 
from collegiate instruction." The college buildings are situated on 
the summit of the elevation which rises from the lake at the southern 
extremity of Main-street, a site rarely, if ever, surpassed for beauty 
and salubrity. 

The following, relative to the early history of Geneva, is from 
Maude's Travels through this part of the country in 1800. 

" Geneva is situate at the northwest extremity of Seneca lake. It is divided into Upper 
and Lower Town. The first establishments were on the margin of the lake, as best adapted 
to business ; but Capt. Williamson, struck with the peculiar beauty of the elevated plain 
which crowns the high bank of the lake, and the many advantages which it possessed as a 
site for a town, began here to lay out his building-lots parallel with and facing the lake. 
These lots are three quarters of an acre deep, and half an acre in front, and valued (in 
1800) at $375 per lot. One article in the agreement with Capt. Williamson is, that no 
buildings shall be erected on the east side of the street, that the view of the lake may be 
kept open. Those who purchase a lot have also the option of purchasing such land as lays 
between their lot and the lake — a convenience and advantage which I suppose few will 
forego — the quantity not being great, and consisting principally of the declivity of the bank, 
which, for the most part, is not so steep as to unfit it for pasturage or gardens. 

" To give encouragement to this settlement, Capt. Williamson built a very large and 
handsome hotel, and invited an Englishman of the name of Powell to take the superintend- 
ence of it. Capt. Williamson has two rooms in this hotel appropriated to himself; and aa 
he resides here the greater part of the year, he takes care that Powell does justice to the 
establishment and to his guests. From this cause it is, that, as it respects provisions, 
liquors, beds, and stabling, there are few inns in America equal to the hotel at Geneva. 
That part of the town where the hotel is situated is intended for a public square. At Mile- 
point, a mile south of the hotel, Capt. Williamson has built a handsome brick house, 
intended fur the residence of his brother, who had an intention of establishing at Geneva. 

"In 1792, Geneva did not contain more than three or four families ; but such is the 
beauty, salubrity, and convenience of the situation, that it now consists of at least sixty 
families, and is rapidly receiving accessions as the new buildings get finished for their re- 
ception. There were at this time, (1800,) settled at Geneva, Mr. and Mrs. Colt, Messrs. 
Johnstone, Hallet, Rees, Bogart, and Beekman ; three of these gentlemen were lawyers. 
Here were also two doctors, two storekeepers, a blacksmith, shoemaker, tailor, hatter, hair- 
dresser, saddler, brewer, printer, watchmaker, and cabinet-maker. A hat made entirely 
of beaver is sold here for $10. 

" Geneva is supplied with water conveyed in pipes from a neighboring spring, and also 
by wells. From the lake, the town is plentifully supplied with a great variety of excellent 
fish. Seneca lake is forty-four miles long, and from four to six miles wide. Its greatest 
depth is not known ; the water is very clear and wholesome ; the bottom is sand and gravel, 



ORANGE COUNTY. 411 

with a clear sandy beach, hke the seashore, and, consequently, not infested with musqui- 
toes, &c. This lake is navigated by a sloop of forty tons, which runs as a packet, and 
carries on a trade between Geneva and Catherinetown, at the head of the lake." 

South Bristol is centrally distant 15 miles SW. from Canandaigua. 
South Bristol is a small village. Pop. 1,375. 

Victor, taken from Bloomfield in 1812; from Albany 203, from 
Canandaigua IVW. 11 miles. Victor and East Victor are small 
villages. Pop. 2,393. 

West Bloomfield vv^as formed in 1833 ; from Canandaigua W. 
16 miles. West Bloomfield, on the outlet of the Honeoye lake, 16 
miles W. from Canandaigua, has 2 Presbyterian, 1 Methodist church, 
an academy, and about 50 dwellings. Pop. 2,094. North Bloom- 
field and Bloomfield Centre are post-offices. 



ORANGE COUNTY. 

Orange, an original county, was organized in 1683; since modi- 
fied by the subtraction of Rockland county and additions from Ulster 
county. Greatest length E. and W. 37 ; greatest breadth N. and S. 
30 miles. Centrally distant NW. from New York 65, from Albany 
SE. 85 miles. On the east it is bounded by the Hudson, along 
whose banks are some of the highest mountains of the Highlands. 
Bear mountain is 1,350 feet in height, the Crow's Nest 1,418, and 
Butter Hill 1,530 feet above tide. The county is exceedingly fertile, 
and agriculture is conducted with great skill. Large quantities of 
sheep and cattle are raised. Its butter is celebrated. The New 
York and Erie railroad enters the SE. portion of the county and 
passes through the towns of Monroe, Blooming Grove, Goshen, Mi- 
nisink, Wallkill, Mount Hope, and Deer Park. It is divided into 14 
towns. Pop. 50,733. 

Blooming Grove, taken from Cornwall in 1799 ; NW. from New 
York 55, from Albany, S., 96 miles. Salisbury, 9 miles SW. from 
Newburg, and 1 1 E. from Goshen, has about 40 dwellings. Wash- 
ingtonville, 1 1 miles from Newburg, has about 45 dwellings. Bloom- 
ing Grove, 2 miles SW. of Washingtonville, Craigsville, 15 miles from 
Newburg, and Oxford, 16 from Newburg and 8 from Goshen, are 
small settlements. Pop. 2,396. 

Cornwall was organized in 1788. It has a mountainous and rug- 
ged surface, being chiefly within the limits of the Highlands. The 
noted summits of the Crow's Nest, 1,418 feet, and Bears mountain, 
1,350 feet in height, are on the Hudson. Pop. 3,919. Canterbury, 
about 5 miles SW. of Newburg, is a village containing about 1,000 in- 
habitants. Cornwall is a small village on the Hudson, 4 miles S. of 
Newburg. 

West Point, the site of the U. S. Military Academy, is 8 miles S. 
of Newburg, 51 from New York, and 94 from Albany. 



412 



OBANGE COUNTY. 




Northern view of West Point. 

" West Point is a spot of peculiar interest. It has been hallowed 
by the footsteps of a Washington, a Kosciusko, and a Lafayette ; it 
is consecrated by a nation to the Spartan-like training of a few de- 
voted sons from every state of our wide-spread union : nor less sa- 
credly secluded by nature as the scene of retirement and study ; it 
seems alike calculated to please the pensive sage and the aspiring 
youthful soldier ; while even female loveliness vouchsafes to paint its 
memories in lines of hope and brightness, as ' the boast of a glory hal- 
lowed land:'' 

* Bright are the moments link'd with thee, 
Boast of a glory hallowed land ; 
Hope of the valiant and the free, 
Home of their youthful soldier band.' 

" The view of West Point as you enter the Mountain Gap, after 
you leave Newburg, is delightful. On the left is Cozzens' hotel ; beyond 
it are the academic halls, barracks, chapel, &c., appropriated to the 
cadets ; and on the right, are the comfortable dwellings occupied by 
the officers of the academy. On the left, at the angle of the plain, 
are traces of Fort Clinton ; and on the right, towering far above 
Camptown, (the suburb occupied by soldiers and citizens,) stands Fort 
Putnam, on mount Independence, venerable in its ruins — ' stern monu- 
ment of a sterner age,' which survived the attempts of treason and 
the assaults of bravery, only to yield its hallowed materials to the 
desecration of a rapacious owner. Of the three monuments which 
now meet your eye, the one on the right and nearest to you, on a 

Srojecting tongue of land bordered with thick groves, is the Cadet's 
lonument, ei-ected to the memory of the deceased officers and 
cadets of the academy. It cost .$12,000. The centre one, near the 
flag-staff, is a cenotaph, erected b\' Gen. Brown to the memory of 



ORANGE COUNTY. 413 

Colonel Eleazer D. Wood, an early and distinguished graduate of the 
academy, who fell at the sortie of Fort Erie, in 1814. And the 
monument on the left, over the levelled redoubt or citadel of Fort 
Clinton, is sacred to Kosciusko." 

The military academy M^as established by act of congress, in 1802. 
It was not however until 1812, that it was placed on an efficient 
basis, sufficient to meet the wants of the country. The number 
of applicants for cadet appointments is very great. In selecting 
these, the descendants of revolutionary officers are considered as 
having peculiar claims to notice. The ratio of appointments is about 
three for each congressional district in four years, and on an average 
only about one third of those who enter graduate. The age of ad- 
miss'on is limited from sixteen to twenty-one years ; and the acquire- 
ments necessary are an acquaintance with reading, writing, and 
the elementary principles of arithmetic. There are generally here 
about 2.50 cadets who are instructed by no less than 34 gentlemen, 
themselves graduates of the institution. 

" The months of July and August in each year are devoted solely 
to military exercises ; for which purpose the cadets leave the bar- 
racks and encamp in tents on the plain, under the regular police and 
discipline of an army in time of war. For this purpose, the cadets 
are organized in a battalion of four companies, under the command 
of the chief instrnctor of tactics and his assistants. The corporals 
are chosen from the third class, or cadets who have been present one 
year ; the sergeants from the second class, who have been present 
two years ; and the commissioned officers, or captains, lieutenants, 
&c., are selected from the first class, or highest at the academy. All 
the other cadets fill the ranks as private soldiers, though necessarily 
acquainted with the duties of officers. In rotation they have to per- 
form the duty of sentinels, at all times, day or night, storm or sun- 
shine, in camp, and evenings and meal-times, in barracks. Cadets 
who have been present two encampments, are allowed, if their con- 
duct has been correct, to be absent the third, on furlough. The 
drills or military exercises, consist in the use of the musket, rifle, can- 
non, mortar, howitzer, sabre, and rapier, or broad and small sword ; 
fencing, firing at targets, &c., evolutions of troops, including those of 
the line ; and the preparation and preservation of all kinds of ammu- 
nition and materials for war. The personal appearance of the corps 
of cadets cannot fail to attract admiration ; especially on parade or 
review. The uniform is a gray coatee, with gray pantaloons in 
winter, and white linen in summer. The dress cap is black, with 
dark pompoon. The splendid band of music, which, under Willis, 
made hill and valley ring with notes of ' linked harmony long drawn 
out,' though changed, still pleases ; and under its new leader, pro- 
mises soon to deserve its former renown, as the best in our country. 

" The cadets return from camp to barracks on the last of August, 
and the remaining ten months of the academic year are devoted to 
their arduous studies. The ceremony of striking the tents and march- 
ing out of camp is so imposing, as to be well worth an effort of the 



414 ORANGE COUNTY. 

visiter to be present on that occasion. On the previous evening, the 
camp is brilliantly illuminated ; and being enlivened with music, danc- 
ing, and bevies of beautiful strangers, presents quite a fairy scene. 

" For the sake of more full instruction, each class is divided into 
several sections, each having a separate instructor. Thus each cadet 
is called upon, at almost every recitation, to explain a considerable 
portion of the lesson ; for the morning recitations generally occupy 
two hours each. The written or delineated demonstrations, are ex- 
plained on a black-board in the presence of the whole section. 

" The studies of the first year are algebra, geometry, descriptive 
geometry, trigonometry, and the French language. All the mathe- 
matical studies are practically taught and applied to numerous pro- 
blems not in the books ; on the resolution of which greatly depends 
the reputation and standing of each rival candidate for pre-eminence. 
The studies of the second year, are the theory of shades, shadows, 
and perspective, practically illustrated ; analytic geometry, with its 
application to conic sections ; the integral and differential calculus, or 
science of fluxions ; surveying and mensuration ; the French lan- 
guage, and the elements of drawing, rhetoric, grammar, geography, 
and topography with the pen. This completes the course of mathe- 
matics, and also of French, which the cadets learn to translate freely 
as a key to military science, but which few of them speak fluently. 

" The third year is devoted to a course of natural philosophy, in- 
cluding mechanics, optics, electricity, magnetism, and astronomy ; 
together with chemistry, and sketching landscapes with the pencil. 

" The fourth and last year is appropriated to the study of artillery 
and infantry tactics ; the science of war, and fortification, or military 
engineering ; a complete course of civil engineering, embracing the 
construction of roads and bridges, railroads and canals, with the im- 
provement of rivers and harbors, &c. &. ; a course of mineralogy, 
geology, and military pyrotechny ; together with moral philosophy, 
and national and constitutional law. 

" To test the progress of the cadets in these studies, semi-annual 
examinations are held, commencing on the first Mondays of January 
and June ; at the latter of which a board of visiters, appointed by the 
secretary of war, is present, to make a critical official report of the 
state of the academy. The examination of all the classes usually 
occupies about a fortnight, and is very severe ; but still is not con- 
sidered the full test of individual proficiency. Each instructor makes 
a weekly class report, on which is recorded the daily performance 
of each cadet ; those who excel being credited 3, and those who fail 
entirely marked 0. These marks are accessible to the cadets from 
week to week, and stimulate their exertions : finally, they are summed 
up at the end of the term, and laid before the academic staff" and 
visiters ; so that the standing of each cadet is influenced not only by 
his examination, but by all his previous recitations. A certain pre- 
scriptive proficiency being required of the cadets in each branch, 
those who fall below this limit are necessarily discharged from the 
service. Averaging the last ten years, where a class of one hundred 



ORANGE COUNTV. 



415 



enters the academy, it is reduced to about seventy at the end of six 
months, sixty at the end of one year, fifty at the end of two years, 
and forty at the end of three years ; not more than about thirty-five 
graduating. 

" There is a general merit-roll of every class, made out at the end 
of each academic year ; the merit of each cadet being expressed by 
a number denoting his proficiency or acquirements. But the final 
standing of each cadet, on which depends his rank in the army, is 
determined by the sum of his merit in all the different branches ; and 
this depends not only on his actual proficiency in any branch, but also 
on its relative importance. This latter is thus estimated at present by 
the academic staff, viz : Conduct 300 ; engineering 300 ; mathematics 
300 ; natural philosophy 300 ; chemistry and mineralogy 200 ; rheto- 
ric, ethics, and law 200 ; infantry tactics 200 ; artillery 100 ; French 
100 ; and drawing 100. Hence the individual who should excel in all 
the branches, would be credited with 2,100 on the final merit-roll ; but 
no more than three or four such instances have ever occuri'ed at the 
academy. The cadet in each class having the greatest sum of merit 
is placed first on the roll, and so onward ; and he who is deficient in 
only one single branch is discharged, or else turned back another year 
to receive a second probation." — Muni's Letters about the Hudson. 

The graduates of the military academy are entitled by law to a 
preference over other applicants for commissions in the army. On 
graduating they receive the commissions of brevet, second lieuten- 
ants, and are subsequently promoted on the occurrence of vacancies. 

On the river bank at the point 
where the Hudson turns sud- 
denly to the south, about 30 
rods east of Cozzens' hotel, 
(seen in the drawing,) stands 
the monument of Kosciusko. 
It was completed in 1829, by 
the corps of cadets, at an ex- 
pense of about $5,000. In 
the vicinity of the monument is 
Kosciusko's garden, " whither 
the Polish chieftain weis accus- 
tomed to retire for study and 
reflection. Marks of cultivation 
are perceptible in the disposition 
of the walks and trees, and the 
beautiful seclusion of the spot still 
invite to thought and repose." 




Kosciusko's jyionument. 



" Thaddeus Kosciusko, an officer in the American revolutionary war, was born in Li- 
thuania, in 1756, of an ancient and noble family, and educated at the military school of 
Warsaw. He afterward studied in France. He came to America, recommended by 
Franklin to Washington, by whom he was appointed an aid. He was also appointed an 
engineer with the rank of colonel, in Oct., 1776. He fortified the camp of Gen. Gates in 
his campaign against Burgoyne, and was afterward sent to West Point, to erect the works 
there. He was highly esteemed both by American and French officers. He was admitted 
a member of the Cincinnati, and received the thanks of congress for his services. At the 
close of the revolutionary war, he returned to his native country, and was made major-ge- 
neral under Poniatowski. He fought several battles with great bravery, but all his efforts 
were destroyed by the miserable conduct of the Polish diet. In the month of April, 1794, 
on the breaking out of a new revolution, he was made generalissimo, with the power of a 



416 



OKANGE COUNTY. 



dictator. He managed with great address and bravery, until the 10th of October, when 
being overpowered and wounded, lie was made prisoner, and carried to St. Petersburg. 
He was kept in confinement until tlie death of Catherine, when he was relieved by Paul, 
loaded with honors, and offered employment in the Russian service, which he declined. It 
is said that when the emperor presented him with his own sword, Kosciusko told him, ' I 
no longer need a sword — I have no longer a country.' In 1797, he visited the United 
States, and received a grant from congress for his services. In the latter part of his life he 
retired to Switzerland, where be died in Oct. 16, 1817. His remains were taken to Cra. 
cow. and a public funeral made for him at Warsaw, where almost divine honors were paid 
him." — Encyclopedia Americana. 




Ancient view of West Point. 

[The above view of West Point as it appeared during the revolution, is copied from a plate 
in the New York Magazine, published in 1790. Erplanation. A, Constitution Island, on the 
east side of the river. B, A chain, 450 yards in length, reaching across the Hudson. C, Fort 
Clinton, the principal fort, and intended for the defence of the nver against any naval force.] 

" After the capture of forts Washington and Lee, during the revolution, the British as- 
cended the river freely in their armed ships. But in the execution of Washington's design 
of shutting up the enemy in New York, by the assistance of the French naval and military 
forces, it became necessary to exclude him from the Hudson. Skilful engineers sent out 
by the French monarch, selected West Point as the most advantageous position for com- 
manding the river. The hill, composed of huge crags and blocks of stone, fantastically 
heaped by nature, protrudes to the middle of the river, impelling its waters to the opposite 
bank, and narrowing the channel to less than half a mile in width. 

" The cliff selected for the fortress, rests against a lofty ridge broken into small emi. 
nences, that form a species of amphitheatre, washed below by the river. It rises in terra- 
ces, the first of which is very narrow, and nearly level with the river ; the second, approach, 
able by a steep ascent of 80 or 90 feet, and the third, rising 188 feet above the water, 
spreads into a plateau of more than a mile in circumference, on which the principal works 
were constructed ; the chief of which, was Fort Clinton. The declivity is exceedingly .•^teep 
nearly all around, and the only side on which the enceinte was accessible, was thickly 
palisaded, and defended by batteries. An escalade, the sole mode of carrying the works, 
was subjected to extreme hazard. There were several redoubts upon the eminences, which 
commanded Fort Clinton, of which Fort Putnam was the most important. These covered 
each other, and the garrison and ammunition stores were under bomb proof casements. 
The works partly hown in the rock, and partly constructed of enormous trunks of trees, 
felled on the spot, communicating by defiles, formed a group of strongholds, connected by 
a common system of defence. The upper forts were secured from a.ssault by the rugged, 
ness of the ground, thick woods, and numerous abatis, which made the tranflport of artil- 
lery impracticable, whilst they gave full protection to the lower ones. 



ORANGE COUNTY. 417 

" But, another work besides these impregnable fortifications, was necessary to the com- 
mand of the river. Constitution Island divides the bed of the Hudson unequally, at the 
bend round the Point ; the western branch being a marshy shallow. The island, a mass 
of rock, was defended by batteries on a level with the water, and the glacis formed in the 
rock, bade defiance to trenches. A heavy chain cramped into the rocks at either end, sup. 
ported by buoys, stretched across the angle made by the river, and formed an effectual bar. 

" The great object of the works on both sides, was to protect this chain. Twenty pieces 
of heavy ordnance, discharging grape, menaced those who should attempt to cut a link, and 
would have inevitably sunk their boats. If a vessel, iron beaked, impelled by wind and 
tide, should attempt it, the chain moving on a roller would grow slack, and the shock thus 
broken, would be again strained to its due tension, and the vessel turned aside, must be 
stranded on one or the other shore, and remain exposed to the fire of the batteries, which 
might be poured upon all points of the Strait. These forts, provided with necessary muni- 
tions, were defended by four thousand men. They had been built in the course of a single 
year, almost without cost ; the soldiers who labored at them received no pay, and the 
French engineers superintending, in the minutest detail, the execution of their own plans, 
had no emolument whatever. This post was much desired by the British commanders, 
and its surrender was to have been the first fruit of Arnold's treason." — Gordon's Gazetteer. 

Crawford, taken from Montgomery in 1823 ; from Albany 92 
miles. Crawford, 14 N., Hopewell 11, Bullville 9, and Searsburg 11 
miles from Goshen, are small settlements. Pop. 2,075. 

Deerpark, taken from Mamakating in 1798; from New York, 
NW., 77, from Albany, SW., 110 miles. Pop. 1,607. The settle- 
ments here, are among the oldest of the county, and were made by 
the Huguenots from Holland, among whom were the ancestors of the 
De Witts and other distinguished families. Cuddebackville, 25 miles 
NW. from Goshen, is an agricultural settlement extending from 3 to 
4 miles, and has a post-office, in the vicinity of which are 20 or 30 
dwellings. Port Jarvis, on the Delaware and Hudson canal, 24 miles 
W. from Goshen, has within the compass of a square mile about 60 
dwellings. Honesville is a small settlement. 

Goshen was organized in 1788. It has a hilly surface on the E. ; 
in the western part it is flat and marshy. A large portion of the 
" drowned lands" on the Wallkill creek are in this town. The soil 
is highly productive in grass : much butter is made here, which is 
widely celebrated for its superior quality. The town was first set- 
tled in 1703, and then embraced all the county SE. of the Wallkill, 
now included in the towns of Minisink, Warwick, part of Wallkill, 
Blooming Grove, and part of Cornwall. Pop. 3,889. Chester, on 
the road from Goshen to New York, is a considerable village about 
4 miles SE. from Goshen ; it is divided into two sections known as 
E. and W. Chester. Goshen, the half-shire village of Orange county, 
was founded in 1722, and incorporated in 1809 ; the first court was 
holden in 1727. It is 20 miles W. from Newburg, 60 from New York, 
and 100 S. from Albany. It contains a bank, 2 newspaper printing 
offices, 2 academies (1 for males and 1 for females,) and about 60 or 70 
dwellings. In the annexed engraving, the old stone courthouse, 
which was built about the commencement of the revolutionary war, 
is seen on the left : about the time of its erection the king's arms were 
affixed over the door, but the revolutionary excitement was so great 
at this place that these royal emblems were destroyed the first night 
after they were set up. The Episcopal church and the female aca- 

53 



418 



ORANGE COUNTY. 



demy are seen on the imt The Presbyterian church is seen neai 
the central part of the engraving. 




Western view of the public buildings at Goshen. 

The following inscriptions are copied from monuments standing in 

the enclosed ground near the Presbyterian church. 

" Erected by the inhabitants of Orange county, 22d July, 1822. Sacred to the memory 
of 44 of their fellow-citizens, who fell at the battle of Minisink, July 22d, 1779. 



Benj. Tusten, Col. 
Bezaleel Tyler, Capt. 
Samuel Jones, " 
John Little, " 

John Duncan, " 
Benjamin Vail, " 
John Wood, Lieut. 
Nathaniel Finch, Adj. 
Ephm. Mastin, Ens. 
Ephm. Middaugh, Ens. 
Gabriel Wisner, Esq. 
Stephen Mead, 
Maths. Terwilliger, 
Joshua Lockwood, 
Ephraim Forgerson, 



Roger Townsend, 
Samuel Knapp, 
James Knapp, 
Benjamin Bennet, 
William Barker, 
Jonathan Pierce, 
James Little, 
Joseph Norris, 
Gilbert Vail, 
Abm. Shepherd, 
Joel Decker, 
Nathan Wade, 
Simon Wait, 

Talmadge, 

Jacob Dunning, 



John Carpenter, 
David Barney, 
Jonathan Haskell 
Abm. Williams, 
James Mosher, 
Isaac Ward, 
Baltus Nierpos, 
Galmatiel Bailey, 
Moses Thomas, 
Eleazer Owens, 
Adam Embler, 
Samuel Little, 
Benjamin Dunning, 
Daniel Reed. 



" Here lie the remains of the Rev. John Bradner, a native of Scotland, the first pastor 
of the Presbyterian church in Goshen. Settled A. D. 1721 and died 1732; also of Rev. 
Nathan Ker, his successor, who preached the gospel in this place for 38 years. Died Dec. 
14, 1804, aged 69 years. Also of his successor. Rev. Ezra Fisk, DD., who was born Jan. 
10, 1785, at Sherburn, Mass. Settled as pastor of the Goshen church, Aug. 13, 1813; 
died Dec. 5, 1833, aged 49 years. 

Hamptonburg, taken from Goshen, Blooming Grove, New Windsor, 
Montgomery, and Wallkill, in 1830; from Albany, S., 94, from 
Goshen centrally distant NE. 6 miles. Hamptonburg, Horace, and 
Little Britain, are post-offices. The name of Little Britain is given 
to a district of about 4 miles square, in Hamptonburg and New 
Windsor, settled in 1722 by Col. Charles Clinton, (the progenitor of 
the distinguished family of Clinton,) and his associate emigrants 
from Ireland. Pop. 1,379. 




OEANGE COUNTY. 419 

" George Clinton, the 
youngest son of Col. Charles 
_^ Clinton, was born in Orange 

county, July 15, 1739. His 
education was superintended 
by his father, a gentleman of 
a highly cultivated mind, as- 
sisted by a minister of the 
gospel, named Daniel Thain, 
who had been educated at the 
university of Aberdeen. He 
evinced at an early age that 
spirit of activity and enter, 
prise which marked his after 
Foe-simile of George Clinton's signature. life. During what was called 

the French war, he left his father's house and entered on board of a privateer, which sailed 
from the port of New York ; and after encountering great hardships and perils, returned 
home, and immediately accepted a lieutenancy in a company commanded by his brother 
James. He was present at the capture of Fort Frontenac, now Kingston, where the com. 
pany to which he belonged behaved with great gallantry. After the usual time of .«tudy he 
was admitted to the bar, and practised with much success in his native county, until his 
election to the colonial assembly, where he became the head of the whig party, or minority, 
and uniformly opposed the arbitrary course of the government. He was chosen, April 22d, 
1775, a delegate to the continental congress; and in 1776, he was also appointed brigadier 
general of Ulster county, and some time after, a brigadier in the army of the United States. 
At the first election under the constitution of the state, which was adopted April 20, 1777, 
he was chosen both governor and lieutenant-governor. Having accepted the former office, 
the latter was filled by Pierre Van Cortlandt. He continued in the chief magistracy of the 
state during six terms, or 18 years, when he declined a re-election. In consequence of the 
great number of tories who resided in the state of New York, and its distracted condition, 
the situation of Governor CUnton was more arduous and important than any other in the 
Union, sa»e that of the commander-in-chief. He, however, behaved with the greatest en. 
ergy, not only as chief magistrate, but as an actual head of the militia ; and for a long time 
resisted the attacks of the whole British army, commanded by Sir Henry Clinton. By a 
vigorous exertion of authority, in the impressment of flour on an important occasion, he pre. 
served the army from dissolution. His conduct at the storming of the forts Montgomery 
and Chnton, in October, 1777, was particularly praiseworthy. He was greatly instrumen- 
tal in crushing the insurrection under Shays, which took place in Massachusetts, in 1787. 

" Governor Clinton was unanimously chosen president of the convention which assem- 
bled at Poughkeepsie June 17, 1788, to deliberate on the new federal constitution. After 
remaining five years in private life, he was elected a member of the state legislature, at a 
time when the country was in an agitated and critical condition, and it is affirmed that his 
influence was the principal cause of the great pohtical revolution which took place in 1801. 
At that period he was also induced again to accept the station of governor, and after con. 
tinning in that capacity for three years, he was elevated to the vice-presidency of the U. 
States, a dignity which he continued until his demise at Washington, April 20, 1812. He 
married Corneha Tappan, of Kingston, Ulster county, by whom he had one son and five 
daughters. 

" The following anecdotes are related of his energy and decision : — At the conclusion of 
the revolutionary war, when violence against the tories was the order of the day, a British 
officer was placed on a cart in the city of New York, to be tarred and feathered. This 
was the signal of violence and assassination. Governor Clinton, at this moment, rushed in 
among the mob with a drawn sword, and rescued the victim at the risk of his life.' ' Some 
years after, a furious assemblage of people collected, called the doctors' mob, and raged 
through New York, with the intention of killing the citizens of that city, and pulling down 
their houses, on account of their having dug up bodies for dissection. The violence of this 
mob intimidated the local magistrates. Governor Clinton fortunately appeared in person, 
called out the militia, and restored peace to the city.' He discharged the functions of vice, 
president with great dignity. It was by his casting vote while in that station, that the re. 
newal of the bank charter was negatived. In private life, he was kind and amiable, and 
warm in his friendships ; as a public man, he is entitled to respectful remembrance." 

Minisink was organized in 1788. It has a hilly surface on the W. ; 
on the E. it is bounded by the Wallkill, on the borders of which are 



420 OEANQE COUNTY. * 

the "drowned lands." It is centrally situated W. from Goshen 15 
miles, and 114 SW. from Albany. Pop. 5,093. Minisink, Ridge- 
bury, Slate Hill, Unionville, Wells Corners, Graham, and Dollens- 
town are post-offices. This town was settled at an early period. In 
the colonial records of 1659, there is a notice of the discovery of a 
copper mine, which is reported to have been extensively wrought. 
In 1669, a severe battle was fought between the settlers and Indians, 
" the bloody horrors of which yet live in the traditions of that neigh- 
borhood." In July, 1779, a party of Indians and tories under Brant 
made an invasion on Minisink. It appears that Count Pulaski had 
been stationed at this place with a battalion of cavalry the preceding 
winter, but in February he was ordered to South Carolina, and the 
place was left unprotected. The following account of the invasion 
and battle, is taken from Stone's Life of Brant, vol. i. 

" On the 20th of July, or rather during the night of the 19th, the crafty Mohawk stole upon 
the slumbering town, at the head of sixty Indians and twenty-seven tory warriors, disguis- 
ed aa Indians — which was a very common practice with the loyalists when acting with the 
savages. Such was the silence of their approach, that several houses were already in flames 
when the inhabitants awoke to their situation. Thus surprised, and wholly unprepared, all 
who could escape fled in consternaiion, leaving the invaders to riot upon the spoil. Ten 
houses and twelve barns were burnt, together with a small stockade fort and two mills. 
Several persons were killed, and others taken prisoners. The farms of the settlement 
were laid waste, the cattle driven away, and all the booty carried off which the invaders 
could remove. Having thus succeeded in his immediate object, Brant lost no time in lead- 
ing his party back to the main body of his warriors, whom he had left at Grassy Brook. 

" No sooner had the fugitives from Minisink arrived at Goshen with the intelligence, than 
Dr. Tusten, the colonel of the local militia, issued orders to the officers of his command to 
meet him at Minisink on the following day, with as many volunteers as they could raise. 
The order was promptly obeyed, and a body of one hundred and forty-nine men met their 
colonel at the designated rendezvous, at the time appointed — including many of the princi- 
pal gentlemen of the county. A council of war was held, to determine upon the expediency 
of a pursuit. Colonel Tusten was himself opposed to the proposition, with so feeble a com- 
mand, and with the certainty, if they overtook the enemy, of being obliged to encounter an 
officer combining, with his acknowledged prowess, so much of subtlety as characterized 
the movements of the Mohawk chief. His force, moreover, was believed to be greatly 
superior to theirs in numbers, and to include many tories as well acquainted with the 
country as themselves. The colonel, therefore, preferred waiting for the reinforcements 
which would be sure soon to arrive, the more especially as the volunteers already with him 
were but ill-provided with arms and ammunition. Others, however, were for immediate 
pursuit. They affected to hold the Indians in contempt, insisted that they would not fight, 
and maintained that a recapture of the plunder they had taken would be an easy achieve, 
ment. Town-meeting counsels, in the conduct of war, are not usually the wisest, as will 
appear in the sequel. The majority of Tusten's command were evidently determined to 
pursue the enemy ; but their dehberations were cut short by Major Meeker, who mounted 
his horse, flourished his sword, and vauntingly called out — ' Let the brave men follow me ; 
the cowards may stay behind !' It may readily be supposed that such an appeal to an 
excited multitude would decide the question, as it did. The line of march was immediately 
taken up, and after proceeding seventeen miles the same evening, they encamped for the 
night. On the morning of the 22d, they were joined by a small reinforcement under Col. 
Hathorn, of the Warwick regiment, who, as the senior of Col. Tusten, took the command. 
When tliey had advanced a few miles, to Halfway Brook, they came upon the Indian 
encampment of the preceding night, and another council was held there. Cols. Hathorn, 
Tusten, and others, whose valor was governed by prudence, were opposed to advancing 
further, as the number of Indian fires, and the extent of ground they had occupied, removed 
all doubt as to the superiority of their numbers. A scene similar to that which had broken 
up the former council was acted at this place, and with the same result. The voice of 
prudence was compelled to yield to that of bravado. 

" Capt. Tyler, who had some knowledge of the woods, was sent forward at the head of 
a small scouting party, to follow the trail of the Indians, and to ascertain, if possible, their 



ORANGE COUNTY. 421 

movements ; since it was evident that they could not be far in advance. The captain had 
proceeded but a short distance before he fell from the fire of an unseen enemy. This cir- 
cumstance occasioned considerable alarm ; but the volunteers, nevertheless, pressed eagerly 
forward, and it was not long before they emerged upon the hills of the Delaware, in full 
view of that river, upon the eastern bank, of which, at the distance of three fourths of a mile, 
the Indians were seen deliberately marching in the direction of a fording-place near the 
mouth of the Lackawaxen. This discovery was made at about nine o'clock in the morn- 
ing. The intention of Brant to cross at the fording-place was evident ; and it was afterward 
ascertained that his booty had already been sent thither in advance. 

" The determination was immediately formed by Col. Hathorn, to intercept the enemy 
at the fording-place, for which purpose instant dispositions were made. But, owing to 
intervening woods and hills, the opposing bodies soon lost sight of each other, and an adroit 
movement on the part of Brant gave him an advantage which it was impossible for the 
Americans to regain. Anticipating the design of Hathorn, the moment the Americans 
were out of sight. Brant wheeled to the right, and by threading a ravine across which Ha- 
thorn had passed, threw himself into his rear, by which means he was enabled deliberately 
to select his ground for a battle and form an ambuscade. Disappointed in not finding the 
enemy, the Americans were brought to a stand, when the enemy disclosed himself par- 
tially, in a quarter altogether unexpected. According to the American account, the first 
shot was fired upon an Indian, who was known, and who was mounted upon a horse stolen 
at Minisink. The Indian fell, and the finng soon became general — the enemy contriving, 
in the early part of the engagement, to cut oif from the main body of Hathorn's troops a 
detachment comprising one third of his whole number. The conflict was long and obsti- 
nate. The number of the enemy being several times greater than that of the Goshen mili- 
tia, the latter w^ere surrounded, and ultimately hemmed within the circumference of an acre 
of ground. Being short of ammunition, Hathorn's orders, in imitation of those of Putnam 
at Bunker Hill, were strict that no man should fire until very sure that his powder would 
not be lost. The battle commenced about eleven o'clock in the morning, and was main- 
tained until the going down of the sun ; both parties fighting after the Indian fashion, every 
man for himself, and the whole keeping up an irregular fire from behind rocks and trees as 
best they could. About sunset the ammunition of the militia was expended, and the sur- 
vivors attempted to retreat, but many of them were cut down. Doctor Tusten was engaged 
behind a cliff of rocks in dressing the wounded when the retreat commenced. There were 
seventeen disabled men under his care at the moment, whose cries for protection and mercy 
were of the most moving description. The Indians fell upon them, however, and they all, 
together with the doctor, perished under the tomahawk. Among the slain were many of 
the first citizens of Go'^hon ; and of the whole number that went forth, only about thirty 
returned to tell the melancholy story. Several of the fugitives were shot while attempting 
to escape by swimming the Delaware. 

.... " There was one, (Major Wood,) who during the battle saved himself by means 
which Brant said were dishonorable. By some process or other, though not a freemason, 
he had acquired a knowledge of the master mason's grand hailing signal of distress ; and 
having been informed that Brant was a member of the brotherhood, he gave the mystic 
sign. Faithful to his pledge, the chieftain interposed and saved his fife. Discovering the 
imposture afterward, he was very indignant. Still, he spared his life, and the prisoner ulti- 
mately returned to his friends after a long captivity." 

Monroe was taken from Cornwall, and organized in 1799. Its 
original name was Cheesecocks, afterward Southfield, then Monroe. 
It is 19 miles S. of Newburg and 115 from Albany: being in the 
Highland region, the surface of the township is broken and hilly. 
Pop. 3,914. At the extreme easterly point of this town upon the 
Hudson river, on the S. side of Poplopen's kill, stood Fort Clinton, and 
upon the opposite bank of the creek, in Cornwall, stood Fort Montgo- 
mery. These forts were erected for the defence of the passage of 
the river. At this place, the channel of the Hudson was obstructed 
by a chevaux-de-frize, boom and chains, and guarded by a number 
of armed vessels, stationed above them. On the 6th October, 1777, 
Sir Henry Clinton, with a force of about 3,000 men, took these forts 
by storm. The garrison consisted of but about 600 men. Their 



422 ORANGE COUNTY. 

loss was about 250 ; that of the British was not less. The annexed 
account relative to their capture was written at Kingston, 3 days 
afterward, by a gentleman who was in Fort Montgomery when it 
was taken. 

" On Saturday night the 5th inst., we had advice that a large number of ships, brigs, 
armed vessels, &,c., had arrived at Tarrytown, where they had landed a considerable body 
of men, supposed to be 900 or 1,000, and had advanced towards the plains. Col. Lutting- 
ton being posted there with about 500 militia, they sent in a flag to him requiring him to 
lay down his arms, and surrender himself and men prisoners of war ; whilst he was parley, 
ing with the flag they endeavored to surround him, which he perceiving, ordered his men 
to retreat, whereupon they returned to their shipping, and next morning we had advice of 
their being under sail, and coming up as far as Kings Ferry. In the afternoon they landed 
a large body of men on the east side of the river, to draw our attention that way, but they 
re-embariied in the night, and next morning landed on the west side. 

" On Sunday night his Excellency, Gov. Chnton, who then commanded at Fort Mont- 
gomery, sent out a party of about 100 men under the command of Major Logan, across the 
Dunderbergh, (Thunder Mountain,) to watch the motion of the enemy. The party returned 
in the morning and reported that they had seen about forty boats full of men land below 
the Dunderbergh. The governor sent out another small party of about 28 men, under the 
command of Lieut. Jackson. On the road that leads to Haverstraw, two or three miles below 
Fort Clinton, they fell in with a concealed party of the enemy, who ordered them to club 
their muskets, and surrender themselves prisoners. They made no answer, but fired upon the 
enemy and hastily retreated ; they returned the fire and pursued our people half a mile ; 
but they all got back to the fort without losing a man, though within five rods of the enemy 
before they were discovered. Upon this intelligence, one hundred men were immediately 
sent oflT under Col. Brown, who fell in with them two miles from the fort, about two o'clock 
in the afternoon, when a smart engagement ensued ; but the enemy being of much superior 
force, our people were forced to retreat. 

" At the same time it was thought proper to send some artillery with a field-piece to oc. 
cupy an eminence that commands the road that leads to Orange Furnace, with a party of 
men to defend it ; they were attacked soon aft&r, and our field-piece did great execution. 
The field-piece bursting, our men in their retreat kept up the engagement for some time 
with small-arms. Most of our people got within the breastwork, and the attack became 
general on both forts. At the same time the enemy's shipping came in sight, but the wind 
being light, and the tide against them, none of their vessels came up except the galleys and 
armed sloops, which fired upon us, but did no execution ; we in return fired upon them, and 
believe did them some damage. 

" The enemy continued a vigorous and incessant attack upon the forts ; but notwith- 
standing their utmost eflibrts, they were many times repulsed and beaten back from our 
breastworks with great slaughter. But the smallness of our number (being in both forts 
but about five hundred,) which required every man to be upon continual duty and obliged 
them to unremitted exertion, fatigued our people greatly, while the enemy, whose number 
was supposed to be at least four thousand, continued to press us with troops. 

" About 4 o'clock they sent in a flag, demanding in 5 minutes a surrender of the fort and 
ourselves prisoners of war, — or they would put us all to the sword. An answer was re- 
turned by Col. Livingston, acquainting them that we were determined to defend the fort to 
the last extremity. The action was renewed with fresh vigor on both sides, and continued 
until the dusk of the evening, when they stormed our upper redoubt which commands the 
fort, which after a severe struggle and overpowering us with numbers they got possession 
of; and we were obliged to give way. At the same time they stormed and got possession 
of Fort Clinton, in which were none but militia, who nobly defended it till they, hke the gar- 
rison at Fort Montgomery, were obliged to give way to superior force. 

" The darkness of the evening much favored the escape of our people, the greatest part 
of whom, with almost all the officers, got off, and have since joined our army or returned to 

their places of residence We are told that the reinforcement from Peekskill, which 

had been twice urged* during the day, arrived only in time on the opposite side of the 
river to see the fort taken, but could give them no manner of assistance, and even ji small 
reinforcement would have enabled the garrison to maintain it until efficient succor had ar- 
rived. Under this misfortune, we have the satisfaction to be assured, that all the officers 
of the garrison fought like heroes, distinguished themselves both by their courage and con. 

* Waterbury, the express who was sent from Fort Montgomery, purposely delayed, and 
the next day deserted to the enemy. 



ORANGE COUNTY. 423 

duct, and that all the privates, as well militia as continental, fought with the utmost bravery.* 
The quantity of provisions in the fort was not great, but the ammunition and stores which 
fell into the enemy's hands were considerable. 

Dr. Dwight, then a chaplain m the army, thus speaks of the ap- 
pearances about these forts a few months after they were taken. 

" I went down the river in company with several officers, to examine the forts Clinton 
and Montgomery, built on a point six or eight miles below West Point, for the defence of 
the river. The first object which met our eyes, after we left our barge and ascended the 
bank, was the remains of a fire kindled by the cottagers of this solitude, for the purpose of 
consuming the bones of some of the Americans who had fallen at this place, and had been 
left unburied. Some of these bones were lying partially consumed round the spot where 
the fire had been kindled ; and some had evidently been converted into ashes. As we went 
onward, we were distressed by the foetor of decayed human bodies. To me this was a 
novelty ; and more overwhelming and dispiriting than I am able to describe. As we were 
attempting to discover the source from which it proceeded, we found, at a small distance 
from Fort Montgomery, a pond of a moderate size, in which we saw the bodies of several 
men, who had been killed in the assault upon the fort. They were thrown into this pond, 
the preceding autumn, by the British, when probably the water was sufficiently deep to 
cover them. Some of them were covered at this time ; but a depth so small, as to leave 
them distinctly visible. Others had an arm, a leg, and a part of the body above the surface. 
The clothes which they wore when they were killed, were still on them ; and proved that 
they were militia ; being the ordinary dress of farmers. Their faces were bloated and mon- 
strous ; and their postures were uncouth, distorted, and in the highest degree afflictive. My 
companions had been accustomed to the horrors of war, and sustained the prospect with 
some degree of firmness. To me, a novice in scenes of this nature, it was overwhelming. 
I surveyed it for a moment and hastened away. From this combination of painful objects 
we proceeded to Fort Clinton, built on a rising ground, at a small distance further down 
the river. The ruins of this fortress were a mere counterpart of those of Fort Montgomery. 
Every combustible in both had been burnt ; and what was not, was extensively thrown 
down. Every thing which remained was a melancholy picture of destruction. From this 
place we proceeded to find the grave of Count Grabouski, a Polish nobleman, who was 
killed in the assault, while acting as aid-de-camp to the British commander. The spot was 
pointed out to us by Lieut. Col. Livingston, who saw him fall, and informed us that he 
was buried in the place where he was killed. Here we found a grave — in all probabihty, 
that in which he was buried — without a ' stone' to ' tell where he lay,' and now forgotten 
and undiscoverable : a humiliating termination of a restless, vain, ambitious life." 

Montgomery, originally organized as part of Ulster county in 
1788; from Albany, S., 100, from Newburg, W., 12, and from 
Goshen, NE., 10 miles. Pop. 4,100. A tamarac swamp near Mont- 
gomery village, is noted as a spot in which the bones of the mam- 
moth were first discovered in this state. Montgomery village, in- 
corporated in 1810. on the right bank of the Wallkill, on the New- 
burg and Cohecton turnpike, and having the relative distances above 
stated, contains about 160 dwellings, 2 or 3 churches, an academy, 
and a seminary for young ladies. Walden is a large manufacturing 
village on the Wallkill, 12 miles NW. from Newburg, 14 NE. from 
Goshen, and 4 from Montgomery, at the falls of the river, where 
there is great hydraulic power. 

Mount Hope, originally named Calhoun, and taken from Wallkill, 
Minisink, and Deer Park, in 1825; from Albany, SW., 121 miles. 
Mount Hope, 12 miles NW. from Goshen, Finchville 15, and Otis villa 
14, are small villages. Pop. 1,565. 



* The late Lieutenant Timothy Mix, who died at New Haven, Conn., in 1824, was one 
of the defenders of Fort Montgomery. While in the act of firing a piece, his right hand 
was carried away by a shot. Instantly seizing the match with his left, he touched off the 
cannon ; by which discharge it is said forty of the enemy were killed. 



424 



ORANGE COUNTY. 



Newburg was organized in 1788. The township has a hilly and 
broken surface, and a good soil, much of which is under high culti- 
vation. Pop. 8,933. 




South View of Newburg. 

Newburg, the half-shire village of Orange county, was originally 
settled by the Palatines from Germany in 1708 : it was incorporated 
in 1800. It lies upon the steep acclivity of a hill rising from the 




Washington's Head-quarters, Newburg. 

river to the height of about 300 feet. Being thus situated, the village 
makes a fine appearance when seen from the river. The river mar- 
gin, about 600 feet wide, affords space for convenient quays and 
docks. A large business centres here from the neighboring counties. 
There are 3 banks, 3 newspaper printing offices, an incorporated 
academy, 8 churches, and about 800 dwellings. The village is 84 
miles from Albany, 61 from New York, 8 from West Point, 10 from 
Poughkeepsie, and 20 miles from Goshen, the other half-shire town. 



ORANGE COUN'J'V. 425 

From the upper terrace of the village there is a fine prospect to the 
S. of West Point, the Crow's Nest, Butter Hill, and the two Beacon 
mountains ; on the SE. Pollopel's Island ; on the E. the picturesque 
valleys of the Matteawan and Wappinger's creeks, and the village of 
Fiskhill Landing. 

The preceding is a northern view of the old stone house in the south 
part of Newburg village, formerly the quarters of Washington when 
the American army were in cantonment in the vicinity, at the close 
of the revolutionary war. In the spring of 1 783, when the troops were 
about to be disbanded without their pay, there was great discontent 
among them. At this time an anonymous letter was addressed to 
the officers, artfully calculated to excite passion. It was dated March 
10th, 1783. It was subsequently ascertained, (says Mr. Dunlap,) to 
have been written by Major Armstrong, afterward secretary of war. 

" The author assumes the character of a veteran who had suffered with those he ad- 
dressed. He tells them that to be tame in their present situation would be more than 
weakness, and must ruin them forever. He bids them 'suspect the man who would advise 
to more moderation, and longer forbearance.' He then describes the high state in which 
the country has been placed by their services. And says, ' does this country reward you 
with tears of gratitude and smiles of admiration, or does she trample on your rights, disdain 
your cries, and insult your distresses ?' He advised them to carry their appeal from the 
justice, to the fears of government. 'Assume a bolder tone — say, that the slightest indig- 
nity from congress now must operate like the grave, and part you from them forever.' 
That if peace takes place, ' nothing shall separate you from your anns but death : if war 
continues, that you will retire to some unsettled country, with Washington at your head, 
and mock at the distresses of goverimient.' The insidious expression of 'courting the aus- 
pices, and invitmg the direction of their illustrious leader,' was calculated to make the 
army believe that Washington would join them in rebellion against his country, and was 
certainly a bold artifice, coining, as it did, from one in constant correspondence with Gene- 
ral Gates, and attached to him both by inchnation and office. 

" The commander-in-chief noticed the anonymous address in orders, with pointed disap. 
probation, and requested that the general and field officers, with a proper representation 
from the staff of the army, would assemble on the 15th instant, to hear the report of the 
committee deputed by the army to congress. This request was seized upon, and repre. 
sented in a second paper as giving sanction to the proceedings of the officers, and they 
were called upon to act with energy. On the 15th of March, the commander-in-chief ad- 
dressed the convention of officers, (General Gates being the chairman,) in the language of 
truth, feeling, and affection. He overthrew all the artifices of the anonymous writer and 
his friends, one of the principal of whom sat in the chair. Washington noticed the advice 
to mark for suspicion the man who should recommend moderation. He feelingly spoke of 
his own constant attention, from the commencement of the war, to the wants and sufler- 
ings of the army, and then pointed out the dreadful consequences of following the advice 
of the anonymous writer, either to draw their swords against their country, or retire, if 
war continues, from the defence of all they hold dear. He calls to mind the scenes in which 
they had acted together, and pledges himself to the utmost exertion for obtaining justice to 
his fellows in arms. He requests them to rely on the promise of congress. He said, ' I 
conjure you, in the name of our common country, as you value your own sacred honor, as 
you respect the rights of humanity, to express your utmost horror and detestafion of the man 
who wishes, under any specious pretences, to overturn the liberties of your country ; and 
who wickedly attempts to open the floodgates of civil discord, and deluge our rising empire 
in blood." 

" The convention resolved, unanimously, among other things, that ' the army have un. 
shaken confidence in congress, and view with abhorrence, and reject with disdain, the in- 
famous propositions contained in a late anonymous address to the officers of the army.' " — 
Durdap's Hist, of New York. 

New Windsor was organized in 1788. It has an uneven surface, 
generally fertile and well cultivated. Pop. 2,482. The village of New 
Windsor, said to be the oldest village in the countv, is situated about 

54 



426 



ORANGE COUNTY. 



2 miles south from Newburg, and lies at the confluence of Cham- 
bers' creek with the Hudson. The head-quarters of Washington was 
for a time here, in an humble Dutch-like mansion. 




Birthplace of De Witt Clinton, New Windso?'. 

"De Witt Clinton was born in the village of New Windsor, March 2d, 1769. His 
paternal ancestors were of Norman origin. His grandfather, Mr. Charles Clinton, at 
the head of a company of associates, emigrated from Ireland in 1729, and settled in this 
town. His father. General James Clinton, was a brave and useful officer in the French 
and Indian wars, and in the revolutionary struggle. A short time previous to the revohi- 
tion he married Miss Mary De Witt, a lady of Dutch descent. The fruit of this imion were 
four sons, of whom De Witt was the second. His early educaiion was intrusted to the care 
of the Rev. Mr. Moffat, the pastor of the Presbyterian church in Little Britain. At the age 
of thirteen he was transferred to an academy at Kingston, then conducted by Mr. John 
Addison. Here he remained two years, when he entered the junior class of Columbia col- 



<a 



i^^/^^TTyizr- 




Fac-sijnile of Be Witt Clinton's signature. 

lege. At this institution he distinguished himself as a scholar, and closed his academic ca. 
reer in 1786, when he received the usual degree of bachelor of arts, taking, at the com- 
mencement, the highest honor which the institution could bestow. He thereupon com- 
menced the study of the law under Samuel Jones, Esq., a celebrated counsellor. After re- 
ceiving the usual licences or degrees in his profession, he was abruptly called from the fur- 
ther cultivation of the pursuit by circumstances arising from the situation of political affairs 
in the state. " I'he germs of the two great parties which have since divided the country, 
were at that time beginning to appear. His uncle, George Clinton, then governor of the 
state, was assailed by a combination of almost all the talents of that section of the country, 
and pamphlets and newspaper essays were poured upon the public with unrestrained pro- 
fusion. Mr. Clinton, relinquishing every other pursuit, entered warmly and exclusively into 
the vindication of the conduct and principles of his uncle ; and it is believed that the 
greater part of the controversial politics on the anti-federal or democratic side was man- 
aged by him during this period of turbulence. He continued with his uncle as his secreta. 
ry during his administration, which ended in 1795. Mr. Clinton had been honored while 
with his uncle with the office of secretary of the University, and of the Board of Fortifica- 
tions of New York. Upon the retirement of the governor he also withdrew from public 
life. But his efforts as an individual, in rallying and supporting the party of which he 
might then have been considered the leader, were not for a moment remitted. To do this 
with effect, however, it seemed necessary that he should be placed in a pubUc station ; and 
accordingly, in 1798, he was elected a member of the assembly from the city of New York, 
and in 1800 was chosen a senator from the southern dialiict, and a member ( f the council 



ORANGE COUNTY. 427 

of appointment. From the senate of this state, by a joint ballot of both branches of the 
legislature, he was elected to a seat in the senate of the United States, where he took an 
active interest in the concerns of the country, in relation to the differences then existing 
with the Spanish authorities at New Orleans. His continuance in that august body, how. 
ever, was short, as on receiving the appointment of mayor of New York in October, 1803, 
it became necessary that he should resign it, the duties of the two offices being by law in- 
compatible. This office he held by successive appointment, with the exception of twenty, 
two months, until 1815. Notwithstanding the political change in the state in 1813, such 
was the public confidence in him, that he was continued in office during the exciting pe- 
riod of the late war. When President Madison received a nomination for a second term, 
Clinton was put in opposition, and received 89 electoral votes ; while Madison was elected 
by 128. Clinton early became a strong partisan in favor of the Erie canal, and it is owing 
to the bold stand which he took in favor of this great enterprise that his popularity in a 
measure was owing. In the summer of 1810, he went on a tour with other commissioners 
for exploring the route of this work. This country was then comparatively a wilderness, 
and there was not a house where the city of Rochester now stands. In the spring of 
1815 he was superseded in his office of mayor, and deprived of all his public employments 
except that of canal commissioner. In 1817, he was elected governor of the state, which 
station he held until the commencement of the year 1823. In the autumn of 1822, he de- 
clined another nomination, and returned to the pursuits of private life, holding only the 
office of canal commissioner ; from which he was removed in the spring of 1824 by an 
overwhelming vote of the legislature. At the time of this vote, he had for fourteen years 
been steadily engaged in promoting the cause of the internal navigation of the state, and 
whether in or out of office, had received no compensation for these services. The news of 
his removal had no sooner reached the principal towns in the state, than large meetings 
were held to express the^opular indignation at this measure. In the city of New York, 
not less than 10,000 persons assembled at the call, among whom were some of his strong 
political opponents. The consequence was, that the people rebuked this vote in a most 
emphatic manner six months afterward by electing him their governor, and by the largest 
majority ever previously known in the state, in a contested election ; which office he held 
until his death. When the success of the canal policy was made apparent, other states 
eagerly embarked in similar enterprises, and he was invited to visit Pennsylvania and Ohio, 
to give the aid of his high authority to their projects of internal improvement. When the 
canal connecting the Ohio with Lake Erie was commenced, to him was assigned the com. 
pliment of removing the first earth of the excavation. His journey through that state, like 
the progress of Lafayette, was one continued triumph. His popularity extended to all 
classes. The merclwnts of New York of all political parties, grateful for his exertions in 
behalf of the canal,^rnd sensible of its influence upon their prosperity, presented him with 
two large and rich silver vases. De Witt Clinton died suddenly on the 11th of February, 
1828, aged 59 years. This event cast a gloom throughout the state, and in public meet, 
ings expressions were sent forth of heartfelt sorrow. Although placed in circumstances 
where most men would have accumulated unbounded riches, he manifested an utter indif. 
ference to money, and died in honorable poverty. Even the plate presented to him by the 
merchants of New York was exposed to sale after his death. 

" Clinton was possessed of the sterner virtues, and would not sacrifice feeling to princi. 
pie. Although a prominent mason, his stand in relation to the abduction of Morgan is in 
character. " The sheriff of one of the frontier counties was accused of participation in 
this abduction. The governor forthwith propounded a series of written interrogatories re. 
lative to his agency in the transaction, and on his refusal to answer, issued a proclamation 
removing him from office. This person, it is to be recollected, was his steadfast friend and 
political supporter ; but he would not allow any personal considerations to weigh against 
the public interest. In an interview which the removed sheriff sought, he said, ' Strong as 
is my attachment to you, I will, if you are guilty, exert myself to have you punished to the 
extent of the laws.' To which the trembling culprit replied in faltering tones, ' I have done 
nothmg worthy of chains or death.' Unlike most American statesmen, Clinton was de- 
voted to literary and scientific pursuits, and was an efficient patron of learning. His wri. 
tings place him high in the ranks of science. 

" Clinton's person, in his youth and early manhood, was remarkable for its masculine 
beauty, and as years advanced assumed a majestic character. His stature was upwards of 
six feet, straight and finely proportioned. His eyes were a dark hazel, approaching to 
black, and highly expressive ; his hair brown ; his complexion clear, and more florid than 
usual among Americans ; his teeth fine, giving a peculiar grace to his smile ; his nose 
slightly aquiline. His habits of reflection and close study were marked in the ordinary ex- 
pression of his countenance, which, controlled at an early period of his life to the gravity 



428 ORANGE COUNTY. 

becoming the magistrate and the senator, presented an appearance of seriousness almost 
approaching to austerity. When speaking in pubhc, however, his face expressed, with the 
utmost flexibihty, the varying emotions to which liis words gave vent; while in the inter, 
course of private life and in familiar conversation, the gravity which rested on his features 
when not excited, gave way on occasion to playfulness and mirth.' He truly exhibited the 
picture of a 'great man, an elegant and profound scholar, and a practical citizen — a man 
of letters and the world, and a character of active worth to the present generation, and of 
solid and permanent advantage to posterity.'" 

Wallkill, organized in 1788 ; from Albany S. 100 miles. Mid- 
dletown, 7 miles NW. from Goshen, is a very thriving village on the 
New York and Erie railroad, and contains about 80 or 100 dwellings. 
Philipsburg, on the Wallkill, 4 miles NW. from Goshen, at the outlet 
of the " drowned lands," and Scotchtown, 6 miles N., are small settle- 
ments. Pop. 4,208. 

Warwick, organized in 1788; from Albany SW. 110, and from 
New York N. 54 miles. On the western border lie a portion of the 
"drowned lands."*' The famous "Sterling iron works" have been in 
operation here about 80 years. Warwick, Amity, Florida, Bellville, 
Sugar Loaf, and Edenville are small villages. Pop. 5,113. 

The following extract from a newspaper printed April 28th, 1779, 
will serve to show the ferocity of civil war : 

" We hear from Goshen that a horrible murder was committed near the Sterling iron- 
works on the night of Saturday the 26th of March, by a party of villains five or six in 
number, the principal of whom was Richard Smith, oldest surviving son of the late Claudi- 
us Smith, of infamous memory, his eldest having been shot last fall at Smith's cove, in 
company with several other villains, by one of our scouting parties sent out in search of 
them. These bloody miscreants it seems that night intended to murder two men who had 
shown some activity and resolution in apprehending these robbers and murderers who in- 
fested the neighborhood. 

" They first went to the house of John Clark, near the iron-works, whom they dragged 
from his house and then shot him ; and observing some remains of life in him, one of them 
saying ' he is not dead enough yet,' shot him through the arm again, ^., and left him. He 
lived some hours after, and gave an account of their names and behavTO". They then went 

to the house of , who hearing some noise they made in approaching, got up and stood 

on his defence, with his gun and bayonet fixed, in a corner of his little log cabin. They 
burst open the door, but seeing him stand with his gun, were afraid to enter, and thought 
proper to march off". The following was pinned to Clark's coat : — 

A WARNING TO THE REBELS. 

*' YOU are hereby warned at your peril to desist from hanging any more friends to gov- 
ernment as you did Claudius Smith. You are warned likewise to use James Smith, James 
Fluelling, and William Cole, well, and ease them of their irons, for we are determined 
to hang six for one, for the blood of the innocent cries aloud for vengeance. Your noted 
friend Capt. Williams and his crew of robbers and murderers we have got in our power, 
and the blood of Claudius Smith shall be repaid. There are particular companies of us 
that belong to Col. Butler's army, Indians as well as white men, and particularly numbers 
from New York, that are resolved to be avenged on you for your cruelty and murder. We 
are to remind you that you are the beginners and aggressors, for by your cruel oppressions 
and bloody actions you drive us to it. This is the first, and we are determined to pursue it 
on your heads and leaders to the last — till the whole of you are murdered." 

* " The drowned lands" of Orange county lie along the Wallkill creek, in the towns of 
Minisink, Warwick, and Goshen. When drained of the waters, they have a deep soil of 
rich vegetable mould, which produces good crops of hemp, and are found to be productive 
and valuable. The tract so called, extends in length along each side of this creek about 
10 miles, being from 3 to 5 miles in width. 



ORLEANS COUNTY. 



429 



ORLEANS COUNTY. 

Orleans county was taken from Genesee in 1824. It is 24 miles long 
E. and W., and 18 miles broad N. and S. It is centrally distant from 
Albany 257, and from New York 302 miles. The summit of the 
mountain ridge extends across the county at an elevation of about 
340 feet above Lake Ontario. Parallel with this, on the alluvial way, 
runs the ridge road. With these exceptions, the face of the country 
is generally level. The soil, mostly clay and argillaceous loam, is 
highly fertile. Grain is raised in considerable quantities. The Erie 
canal passes centrally through the county. The whole county was 
included in the grant to Massachusetts. The towns of Barre, Carl- 
ton, Gaines, Ridgeway, Shelby, and Yates, belonged to the Holland 
Land Company ; whilst Murray, Clarendon, and Kendall, belonged 
to the Pulteney estate. The county was chiefly settled by New Eng- 
landers, and is divided into 9 towns. Pop. 24,995. 




View of the public buildings in Albion. 

Barre, taken from Gaines in 1818 ; from Albany 260 miles. Al- 
bion, founded in 1823 by Nehemiah Ingersoll and George Standart, 
Jr., the county seat of justice, incorporated in 1828, lies near the 
centre of the county upon the Erie canal ; from Albany, by the canal, 
305, from Rochester 35, from Buffalo 58, from Lockport 28 miles. The 
annexed view was taken from the door of the Baptist church. The 
first building on the right, a large brick structure, is the Albion Fe- 
male Seminary ;* the small building in the centre of the engraving, 

* Under the charge of Mrs. Caroline Achilles and Miss Sophrouia Phipps, principals, and 
numbering about two hundred pupils. 



430 ORLEANS COUNTY. 

is the county clerk's office. The building with a cupola is the court- 
house, and the one partially seen in the rear, the jail. There are in 
the village 1 Presbyterian, 1 Baptist, and 1 Methodist church, the 
Orleans county bank, 2 weekly newspaper offices, and about 220 
dwellings, many of them large, neat, and commodious. The sur- 
rounding country abounds in Iruit. South Barre, G miles, and Barre 
Centre, 3 miles S. of Albion, are both small villages. Pop. 5,499. 

Carlton, originally named Oak Orchard, and taken from Gaines 
and Ridgeway in 1822 ; from Albany 2G5, from Albion centrally dis- 
tant N. 8 miles. Carlton is a small post village, and West Carlton a 
post-office. Pop. 2,242. 

Clarendon, taken from Sweden in 1821 ; from Albany 251 miles. 
Clarendon is a small village 9 miles SE. from Albion. Pop. 2,261. 

Gaines, taken from Ridgeway in 1816; bounds since altered ; from 
Albany 260 miles. Pop. 2,431. Gaines, 3 miles NW. from Albion, 
incorporated in 1832, has about 60 dwellings. Eagle Harbor, 3 miles 
west of Albion, and Gaines Basin, H miles north, both on the canal, 
are small villages. Fairhaven is 25 miles north of Albion. West 
Gaines is a post-office. 

Kendall, the NE. corner town, was recently formed from Murray ; 
centrally distant NE. from Albion 10 miles. Pop. 1,682. 

Murray, taken from Gates in 1808 ; from Albany 245 miles. Pop. 
2,678. Holley, 10 miles east of Albion and 25 west of Rochester, 
was founded in 1823 by Elisha Johnson. It has about 350 inhabitants. 
A short distance east of the village is the Holley embankment, one 
of the greatest on the Erie canal, elevated 76 feet above the creek. 
North Murray, Scio, and Sandy Creek, are small villages. 

Ridgeway, taken from Batavia in 1812 ; bounds since much alter- 
ed ; from Albany 267 miles. Pop. 3,257. Medina, situated in a 
flourishing country on the canal, incorporated in 1832, 10 miles west 
of Albion, is a thi'iving place. There are here 1 Baptist, 1 Metho- 
dist, 1 Presbyterian, 1 Episcopal, and 1 Catholic church, and about 
1,000 inhabitants. A railroad connects this place with Richfield, 
12 miles distant. Knowlesville village, on the canal, 6 miles west of 
Albion, has 1 Presbyterian, 1 Methodist, and 1 Baptist church, and 
about 80 or 100 dwellings. Oak Orchard, 9 miles NW. from Albion, 
and Ridgeway Corners, 13 miles NW. from Albion, are small villages. 

Shelby, taken from Ridgeway in 1818 ; from Albany 260 miles. 
Ellicott's Mills, 13 miles SE., Shelby's Basin, on the canal 13 miles W., 
and Millville, 10 miles SW. from Albion, are small villages. Pop. 
2,697. 

Yates, originally named Northton, and taken from Ridgeway in 
1822 ; from Albany 270 miles. Lindon, 14 miles NW. from Albion, 
and Yates Centre, are small villages. Pop. 2,248. 



OSWEGO COUNTY. 431 



OSWEGO COUNTY. 



Oswego count y was taken from Oneida and Onondaga counties in 
1816 ; centrally distant from New York NW. 295, and from Albany 
1 50 miles. Greatest length E. and W. 37 miles, greatest breadth N. and 
S. 30 miles. The sm'face is level upon the west, south, and southeast ; 
in the interior rolling, and in the north rising into hills. The soil 
generally is of a medium quality, some of it highly fertile, better 
adapted to grass than grain. With the exception of the Oswego 
river, there are no large streams. " The towns west of the Oswego 
river constituted a part of the military tract. The towns east of 
the river constitute a part of ' Scriba's patent.' These lands were 
originally granted to Nicholas Roosevelt, of New York, who not 
complying with the terms of sale, they were sold to George Scriba, 
a native of Germany, and at that time a merchant in New York. 
The town of Richland, a large part of Volney, about one half of 
Scriba, and the town of Vienna, in the county of Oneida, upon a sale 
of part of Mr. Roosevelt's interest by process from chancery, were 
jointly purchased by Gen. Alexander Hamilton, John Lawrence, and 
John B. Church." The county has 20 towns. Pop. 43,820. 

Albion, taken from Richland in 1825; from Albany 150, centrally 
distant from Pulaski SE. 8 miles. Sandbank, Salmon, and Spruce 
are post-offices. Pop. 1,499. 

Amboy, taken from Williamstown in 1830 ; from Albany 130, from 
Pulaski centrally distant SE. 22 miles. Amboy is a small post vil- 
lage. Pop. 1,084. 

Boylston, taken from Orwell in 1828 ; from Albany 140, from 
Pulaski NE. 10 miles. Pop. 481. The greater part of the town is 
still covered with a forest. 

Constantia, taken from Mexico in 1808 ; from Albany 145 miles. 
Pop. 1,494. Constantia or Rotterdam, on the Oneida lake, 36 miles 
E. from Oswego, has about 30 dwellings. Here is one of the most 
extensive iron foundries in the state. Cleaveland village has about 
25 dwellings. 

Granby, taken from Hannibal in 1818 ; from Albany W. 158, cen- 
trally distant from Oswego S. 12 miles. Pop. 2,386. Phillips vil- 
lage is a small settlement on the Oswego river at the Oswego Falls, 
which are 800 feet in width, and can be made to furnish great hy- 
draulic power. Six Mile Creek is a post-office. 

Hannibal, originally taken from Lysander as part of Onondaga 
county in 1806; from Albany 168 miles. Pop. 2,275. Hannibal- 
ville, 1 1 miles S. of Oswego, and Kinney's Corners, 6 miles from Os- 
wego, are small villages. 

Hastings, taken from Constantia in 1825; from Albany 150, cen- 
trally distant from Pulaski S. 17 miles. Pop. 1,989. Opposite to 
Brewerton village, at the head of Oneida river, are the remains of Fort 
Brewerton. Central Square and Hastings are post-offices. 



432 OSWEGO COUNTY. 

Mexico, originally taken from Whitestown, and organized as part 
of Herkimer county in 1792; from Albany 154 miles. Pop. 3,799. 
Mexico village, 10 miles S. from Pulaski, 16 from Oswego, has about 
70 or 80 dwellings, and an academy — 1 Presbyterian, 1 Baptist, and 
1 Methodist church. Prattsville 9 miles, Colosse 10, and Union 
Square 8 from Pulaski, are small settlements. 

New Haven, taken from Mexico in 1813 ; from Albany 157 miles. 
Pop. 1,735. New Haven, 10 miles E. from Oswego, and 12 SW. 
from Pulaski, has about 20 dwellings. Butterfly is a post-office. 

Orwell, taken from Richland in 1817 ; from Albany 139, and from 
Pulaski centrally distant E. 9 miles. Pop. 809. The falls of the 
Salmon river here are 107 feet perpendicular, and with a width during 
freshets of 250 feet. Above them the rocky banks rise 80 feet — be- 
low, 200 above the water. 

Oswego was taken from Hannibal in 1818. It has a level surface 
and a soil of sandy loam. Pop. 4,673. Oswego village, post and 
half-shire town, port of entry and delivery for Oswego district, is 45 
miles W, from Sacketts harbor, 60 from Kingston, Upper Canada, 
60 from the mouth of Genesee river, 140 from the mouth of Niagara 
river, and 150 from Toronto in a straight line, and 38 from Syracuse 
on the Erie canal. The village lies on both sides of the Oswego river, 
with which it is connected by a bridge 700 feet in length. The por- 
tion on the eastern side is within the limits of the town of Scriba. 
The facilities which its situation gives for commerce and manufactures 
are great, commanding the markets of the lakes and the St. Law- 
rence river, and connected with the interior of the state by the 
Oswego and Erie canals. The water-power afforded by the canal* 
and river is very extensive, and upon them are many large manufac- 
turing establishments. The harbor is formed at the mouth of the 
river by a pier of wood, 30 feet broad, filled with stone, and built by the 
general government, extending on the west side 1,250 feet, and on the 
east 250, between which there is an opening for vessels. Within 
the pier the water is from 10 to 20 feet deep. The cost of this work 
was $93,000. There is here an excellent marine railway constructed 
at considerable expense. The village is laid out on streets 100 feet 
wide, running at right angles. The courthouse is of wood, on the 
east side of the river. There is also 1 Presbyterian, 1 Episcopal, 
1 Methodist, 1 Baptist, 1 Congregationalist, and 1 Catholic church, 
an incorporated academy, the Bank of Oswego, capital $150,000, 
the Commercial Bank of Oswego, incorporated in 1836, capital 
$150,000, and about 600 dwellings. 

* " About three quarters of a mile from the mouth of the river was a rapid, on which the 
state has erected a feeder dam seven and half feet high for supplying the canal with water. 
On the east side of the stream, the Oswego Canal Company, pursuant to agreement with 
the commonwealth, have a right to the full use of the waters of the river from the canal, 
and have, by a subsidiary canal, conducted them to the village, where they have a fall of 
nineteen feet. Mr. Abraham Varick has constructed on the west side, under the direciion of 
Mr. John McNair, civil engineer, (1835,) on the margin of the river, a wall eighteen feel 
high, forming a canal along the bank seven feet deep, sixty-two feet wide, at an estimated 
cost of $75,000, giving also a fall of nineteen feet at the village." — Gordon's Gaz. 



OSWEGO COUNTY. '^^ 

" The fort here was of great miHtary importance during the colonial 
wars. A factory was established by the New York government in 
1722 ; and a fort erected on the west side of the river in 1727, and 
enlarged in 1755 ; which, with Fort Ontario, built on an eminence on 
the east in the latter year, were on the 14th of August, 1756, reduced 
by the French, under Gen. Montcalm." The following account of 
the investment and surrender of these forts is taken from the 26th 
number of the London Magazine, for the year 1757. 

" The works at Oswego at this time consisted of three forts — viz, the old fort on the west 
side of tiie river, and two forts on the east side, situated on two eminences, which latter 
were commenced the year previous, and were in an unfinished state. These works were 
very weak, and the walls of insufficient strength to resist heavy artillery. The English 
relied for a defence upon having a superior naval force upon the lake. Unfortunately, the 
naval armament at that time fitting out was incomplete. On the 6th of August, Colonel 
Mercer, commanding officer of the garrison, which consisted of about 1,600 men, having 
received intelligence of a large encampment of French and Indians about twelve miles 
distant, despatched a schooner with an account of it to Capt. Broadley, who was then on a 
cruise wiih a large brigantine and two sloops, at the same time desiring him to sail as far 
eastward as he could, and to endeavor to prevent the approach of the French on the lake. 
The next day a violent gale of wind drove the brigantine ashore while attempting to get 
into the harbor. The French seized this opportunity to transport their heavy cannon within 
a mile and a half of the fort, which he would not have been enabled to have done had it 
not been for this disaster. On the morning of the 11th, some canoes were seen to the 
eastward, and the schooner was sent out to make a discovery of what they were ; she was 
scarce half a mile distant before she hoisted a jack at mast head, fired a gun to leeward, 
and stood in again for the harbor, and brought intelligence that they had discovered a very 
large encampment, close round the opposite point ; on which the two sloops, (the large 
brigantine being still on shore,) were sent out with orders if possible to annoy the enemy. 
They proceeded to within gun-shot of the enemy's camp, when they were fired upon from 
a battery of four twelve pounders. This fire was briskly returned from both vessels, but to 
no purpose, as their shot fell short of the shore, and the enemy's cannon being large and 
well managed, hulled liie vessels almost every shot. After firing several broadsides the 
vessels returned. 

" The same day the French invested the place with about 32 pieces of cannon, from 12 
to 18 pounders, besides several large brass mortars and hoyets, (among which artillery was 
included that taken from Gen. Braddock,) and about 5,000 men. About noon they began 
the attack of Fort Ontario with small-arms, which was briskly returned with small-arms 
and 8 cannon of that fort, and shells from the opposite side of the river. The garrison on 
the west side of the river was this day employed in repairing the battery on the south side 
of the old fort. That night the enemy were engaged in approaching Fort Ontario, and 
bringing up their cannon against it. On the 12th, the enemy renewed their fire of small, 
arms on Fort Ontario, which was briskly returned. The garrison on the west side were 
employed as the day previous. 

" The French on the east side continued their approaches to Fort Ontario. Notwith. 
standing the continued fire upon the enemy and the death of their chief engineer, by 10 
o'clock next morning they opened a battery of cannon within 60 yards of the fort. At 12 
o'clock, Col. Mercer sent the garrison word to destroy their cannon, ammunition, and pro- 
visions, and to evacuate the fort. About 3 P. M., the garrison, consisting of about 370 men, 
effected their retreat to the west side of the river without the loss of a man, and were em. 
ployed on the night of the 12th in completing the works at the fort at the West hill. On 
this night as well as the night before, parties of the enemy's irregulars made several unsuc 
cessful attempts to surprise the advanced guards and sentries on the west side of the river. 
On the night of the 13th, the enemy were employed on the east side of the river in bringing 
up their cannon and raising a battery against the old fort. A constant fire was kept upon 
them from the west side. The cannon which most annoyed the enemy were four pieces, 
which were reversed on the platform of an earthen work which surrounded the old fort, 
and which was entirely enfiladed by the enemy's battery on the opposite shore. In this 
situation, without the least cover, the train, assisted by a detachment of 30 of Shirley's regi. 
nient. behaved remarkably well. At daybreak, the 14th, the English renewed the fire of 
their cannon on that part of the shore where they had the evening previous observed the 
enemy erecting a batter\'. This was returned fi"om a battery of ten 12 pounders. About 



436 



OSWEGO COUNTY. 



9 A. M., 2,500 of the enemy crossed the river in three columns. At this time Lieut. Col. 
Mercer was killed by a cannon ball. About 10 o'clock, the enemy had in readiness a bat. 
tery of mortars. All the places of defence were either enfiladed or ruined by the constant 
fire of the enemy's cannon ; 2,500 French and Indians were in the rear of the works ready 
to storm, and 2,000 regulars were ready to land in front under cover of their cannon. At 
this juncture. Col. Littlehales, upon whom the command now devolved, called a council of 
war, who were, with the engineers, unanimously of opinion, that the works were no longer 
tenable, and that it was by no means prudent to risk a storm with such unequal numbers. 
The ' chamade' was accordingly ordered to be beat. The soldiers throughout the siege 
showed great bravery, and it was with difficulty that they could now be restrained from con- 
tinuing their resistance. Oti beating the ' chamnde,^ the firing ceased on both sides, and 
two ofHcers were sent to the French general, to know upon what terms he would accept a 
surrender. Upon which Montcalm replied, that, the English were an enemy he esteemed ; 
that none but a brave nation would have thought of defending so weak a place so long, 
against such a strong train of artillery and superior numbers ; that they might expect what, 
ever terms were consistent with the service of His Most Christian Majesty ; he accordingly 
sent the following proposals, viz: — 

" ' The Marquis of Moncalm, army and field marshal, commander-in-chief of His Most 
Christiaa Majesty's troops, is ready to receive a capitulation upon the most honorable con- 
ditions, surrendering to him all the forts. They shall be shown all the regard the politest 
nations can show ; I send an aid-de-camp on my part — viz, Mons. De Bougainville, captain 
of dragoons ; they need only send the capitulation to be signed ; I require an answer by 
noon ; I have kept Mr. Drake for an hostage. Montcalm. 

" ' Aug. 14, 1756.' " 

" The terms required by the Enghsh were honorably granted. 
The victors immediately dismantled the forts and carried off the gar- 
rison, 121 pieces of cannon, 14 mortars, great quantities of ammuni- 
tion and warlike stores, two sloops of war, and 200 boats and bat- 
teaux." 




West view of Fort Oswego. 

The following is the American official account of the attack upon 
this place during the late war, taken from a newspaper published at 
the time. Copy of a letter from Maj. Gen. Brown to the secretary 
of war, dated 

" H. Q., Sacketts Harhor, May 12, 1814. 

" Sir. — Enclosed is an abstract from the report of Lieut. Col. Mitchell, of the affair at 
Oswego. Being well satisfied with the manner in which the colonel executed my orders, 
and with the evidence given of steady discipline and gallant conduct on the part of the 
troops, I have noticed them in the general order, a copy of which is enclosed. — The ene. 
my's object was the naval and miUtary stores deposited at the falls, 10 miles in the rear of 



OSWEGO COUNTY. 437 

the fort. These were protected. The stores at the fort and village were not important. 
I am. &c. Jacob Brown, Maj. Gen. 

" Hon. Secretary at War." 

" Report. — I informed you of my arrival at Fort Oswego on the 30th ult. This post 
being but occasionally and not recently occupied by regular troops, was in a bad state of 
defence. Of cannon, we had but five old guns, three of which had lost their trunnions. 
What could be done in the way of repair was effected — new platforms were laid, the gun 
carriages put in order, and decayed pickets replaced. On the 5th inst. the British naval 
force, consisting of 4 large ships, 3 brigs, and a number of gun and other boats were descried 
at reveille — beating about 7 miles from the fort. Information was immediately given to 
Capt. Woolsey of the navy (who was at Oswego village) and to the neighboring militia. It 
being doubtful on what side of the river the enemy would attempt to land, and my force 
(290 effectives) being too small to bear division, I ordered the tents in store lo be pitched 
on the village side, while I occupied the other with my whole force. It is probable that 
this artifice had its effect and determined the enemy to attack where from appearances they 
expected the least opposition. About 1 o'clock, the fleet approached. Fifteen boats, large 
and crowded with troops, at a given signal moved slowly to the shore. These were pre- 
ceded by gun-boats sent to rake the woods and cover the landing, while the larger vessels 
opened a tire upon the fort. Capt. Boyle and Lieut. Legate, (so soon as the debarking 
boats got within the range of our shot,) opened upon them a very successful fire from the 
shore battery, and compelled them twice lo retire. They at length returned to the ships, 
and the whole stood off from the shore for better anchorage. One of the enemy's boats 
which had been deserted, was taken up by us, and some others by the militia. The first 
mentioned was 60 feet long, and carried 36 oars and 3 sails, and could accommodate 150 
men. She had received a ball through her bow, and was nearly filled with water. — Piquet 
guards were stationed at different points, as we lay on our arms during the night. — At da)'- 
break on the 6ih, the fleet appeared bearing up under easy sail. The Wolfe, &c., took a 
position directly against the fort and batteries, and for 3 hours kept up a heavy fire of 
grape, &c. Finding that the enemy had effected a landing, I withdrew my small disposa- 
ble force into the rear of the fort, and with two companies (Romayne's and Melvin's) met 
their advancing columns, while the other companies engaged the flanks of the enemy. 
Lieut. Pearce of the navy, and some seamen, joined in the attack, and fought with their 
characteristic bravery. We maintained our ground about 30 minutes, and as long as con- 
sisted with my further duty of defending the public stores deposited at the'falls, which no 
doubt formed the principal object of the expedition on the part of the enemy. Nor was this 
movement made precipitately. I halted within 400 yards of the fort. Capt. Romayne's 
company formed the rear-guard, and remaining with it, I marched to this place in good 
order, destroying the bridges in my rear. The enemy landed GOO of De Wattevilles regi- 
ment, 600 marines, two companies of the Glengary corps, and 350 seamen. — Gen. Drum- 
mond and Com. Yeo, were the land and naval commanders. They burned the old bar- 
racks and evacuated the fort about 3 o'clock in the morning of the 7th. — Our loss in killed 
is 6, in wounded 38, and in missing 25. That of the enemy is much greater. Deserters 
and citizens of ours taken prisoners and afterward released, state their killed at 64, and 
wounded in proportion — among these are several land and naval officers of merit.* — I can- 
not close this despatch without speaking of the dead and the living of my detachment. 
Lieut. Blaney, a young man of much promise, was unfortunately killed. His conduct was 
highly meritorious. Capt. Boyle and Lieut. Legate merit my highest approbation, and 
indeed I want language to express my admiration of their gallant conduct. The subalterns, 
M. Comb, Ansart, Ring, Robb, Earl, McClintock, and Newkirk, performed well their 
several parts. — It would be injustice were I not to acknowledge and report the zeal and 
patriotism evinced by the miUtia, who arrived at short notice, and were anxious to be 
useful. 

" H. Q., Sacketts Harhor, 12 3Iay, 1814. 

" General orders. — Maj. Gen. Brown has the satisfaction of announcing to the troops 
of his division, that the detachment under the command of Lieut. Col. Mitchell of the corps 

* Commodore Chauncey, in a letter about this date to the secretary of the navy, states — 

" The enemy has paid dearly for the little booty he obtained at Oswego. From the best 

» information which I can collect, both from deserters and my agents, the enemy lost 70 

I men killed, and 165 wounded, drowned and missing — in all 235 ; nearly as many as were 
opposed to them. Capt. Mulcaster is certainly mortally wounded ; a captain of marines 
killed, and a number of other officers killed and wounded." 



438 



OSWEGO COUNTY. 



of artillery, have by their gallant and highly military conduct on the 5th and 6th inst., gained 
a name in arms worthy of the nation they serve and the cause they support. For nearly 
two days they maintained an unequal contest against ten times their number, and but 
yielded their post when the interest of their country made that measure necessary. The 
companies composing this gallant detachment were Boyle's, Romayne's, Mclntire's, and 
Pierce's, of the heavy artillery, and a few seamen under the command of Lieut. Pearce of 
the navy, — in all less than three hundred men. The enemy's force by land and water ex- 
ceeded three thousand men." 

The following additional particulars are from Thomson's History of the Late War. — " On 
the morning of the 7th, the enemy finding thn* the object of the expedition, though prose- 
cuted with a force, including the ship's crew, of 3,000 men, had not been achieved, evacu- 
ated ihe place after firing the barracks, spiking some and carryinsr cfT ntlicrs of the guns. — 
On the 9ih, they returned to Oswego, and sent a flag into the villni^e, informing the inhabi- 
tants of their intention of landing a large force, to proceed to the falls for the execution of 
their original plan ; but on being assured by the people that the stores had been removed 
from that place, and that the communication was cut off by the destruction of the bridges, 
they quitted Oswego and stood for Kingston." 

Palermo, taken from Volney in 1832 ; from Oswego centrally dis- 
tant SE. 14 miles. Pop. 1,928. Palermo is a small post village. 

Parish, taken from Mexico in 1828 ; NW. from Albany 149, from 
Pulaski centrally distant S. 12 miles. Pop. 1,543. 

Redfield, taken from Mexico in 1800; from Pulaski centrally 
distant E. 15 miles. Redfield village is in the southern part. Pop. 
507. 




View of Pulaski. 

Richland, taken from Williamstovv^n in 1807 ; NW. from Albany 
153 miles. Pop. 4,046. Pulaski village, half-shire town, was incor- 
porated in 1833. Centrally situated on Salmon river, 4 miles from 
its confluence with Lake Ontario, 36 N. of Salina, and 60 from Utica. 
The river at this place affords considerable water-power, on which 
are a number of grist and saw mills, and several manufacturing es- 
tablishments. There are about 80 dwellings, a number of churches, 
a courthouse and prison. The spires or cupolas of the courthouse, the 
Presbyterian and Baptist churches, and the academy, are seen on the 
left of the annexed engraving. 

Sandy Greek, taken from Richland in 1825; from Albany 1.59 



OTSEGO COUNTY. 439 

miles. Washingtonville, 6 miles N. of Pulaski, is a small village. 
Pop. 2,431. 

ScHROEPPEL, taken from Volney in 1832; from Oswego centrally 
distant SE. 21 miles. Phoenix, about 18 miles from Oswego, is a 
thriving village recently built, having 2 churches and about 50 dwell- 
ings, on the Oswego river and canal. Rosevelt is a post-office. Pop. 
2,198. 

ScRiBA, taken from Fredricksburg, the original name of Volney, in 
1811 ; from Albany 167 miles. Pop. 4,051. That part of Oswego 
village which lies on the right or NE. bank of the Oswego river is in 
this town, and is called East Oswego. 

Volney, taken from Mexico in 1806, by the name of Fredricks- 
burg ; from Albany 160 miles. Pop. 3,154. Fulton, incorporated 
in 1835, is a flourishing place at the Oswego Fails, 10 miles from 
Oswego. It has 4 churches, an academy, about 200 dwellings, 
and 1,400 inhabitants. The centre of the village is half a mile be- 
low, or north of the Oswego Falls, on the east bank of the Oswego 
river, at a point where a dam is constructed for the use of the Oswego 
canal. The village limits extend above the falls, and include the 
state reservation, which has been laid out as a village and partly sold, 
called " Oswego Falls." The water-power is extensive and can be 
used on both sides of the river at the dam, and also at the natural 
falls. The fall is about 12 feet at each place. 

WiLLiAMSTowN, taken from Mexico in 1804; from Albany 137. 
centrally distant from Oswego E. 31 miles. Williamstown is a small 
post village. Pop. 830. The greater part of the town is unsettled. 



OTSEGO COUNTY. 

Otsego county was taken from Montgomery in 1791. Centrally 
distant from New York city NW. 200, and' from Albany W. 66 
miles. Its form is very irregular. Greatest length N. and S. a})Out 
40 ; greatest breadth E. and W. 35 miles. 

This county is considerably elevated, though there are no distinct 
ranges of mountains of much height. A larger portion of the soil 
of the county, is rich and productive. A large amount of capital is 
invested in agriculture and manufactures. The Susquehannah river, 
rising in theflOtsego lake, flows southerly to the bounds of the coun- 
ty ; then turning southwesterly, forms a part of the southern bounda- 
ry. The Unadilla bounds the county on the west. Otsego lake, 9 
miles long and from 1 to 3 wide, and Schuyler's lake, 5 miles long 
and from 1 to 2 wide, are beautiful sheets of water. Portions of this 
county were settled as early as 1739. The mass of the settlers were 
emigrants from the eastern states. The county is divided into 22 
towns. Pop. 49,403. 



440 



OTSEGO COUNTY. 



Burlington, taken from Otsego in 1792 ; from Albany 78, from 
Cooperstovvn W. 12 miles. Burlington Flats, Burlington, and West 
Burlmgton, are post villages ; the first contains about 30, the second 
25, and the last 15 or 20 dwellmgs. Pop. 2,144. 

Butternuts, taken from Unadilla in 1790; from Albany 87 miles. 
Loui.iville or Butternuts, and Gilbertsville, each 30 miles SW. from 
Cooperstown, are small villages. Maple Grove is a post-oifice. 
Pop. 4,017. 

Cherry Valley, so called by the first settlers from its abundance 
of wild cherries, was taken from Canajoharie in 1791. Pop. 3,813. 
Cherry Valley village, upon the Cherry Valley creek, incorporated 
in 1812, lies 13 miles NE. from Cooperstown, 13 S. from the canal 
at Canajoharie, and 53 from Albany. The following view was taken 
from the residence of Joseph Phelon, Esq. The Presbyterian church is 




Southwest view of Cherry Valley. 

seen on the left, and the Episcopal and Methodist churches on the 
right. There is here a bank, a weekly newspaper office, an incor- 
porated academy, and about 130 dwellings. The following interest- 
ing account of the first settlement of this place is from the valuable 
work of Wm. W. Campbell, Esq., entitled *' Annals of Tryon County." 

" Mr. Lindesay, having obtained an assignment from the three other patentees to himself 
and Gov. Clarli, in 1739 caused the patent to be surveyed and subdivided into lots, and 
chose for himself the farm afterward successively owned by Mr. .Tohn Wells and Judge 
Hudson, and ^-.wp. to it the name of Lindesay's Bush. In the following suntmer he left 
New York with his family, consisting of his wife and father-in-law, Mr. #ongreve, a lieu- 
tenant in the British army, and a few domestics, and settled upon his farm. He was a 
Scotch gentleman of some fortune and distinction, having held several ofiices under govern, 
ment, and anticipated much pleasure from a residence in this high and rolling country, 
whose valleys, and hills, and lakes, would constantly remind him of the wild and romantic 
scenery of his native land. A luxuriant growth of beech and maple, interspersed with the 
wild cherry, covered the valley, and extended along up the sides of the hills, whose tops 
were crowned with clusters of evergreen ; elk and deer were found here in great numbers, 
as were bears, wolves, beavers, and foxes , it was u favorite huniiiig ground of the M'- 
hawks, who erected their cabins near some little spring, and hunted their game upon tiia 



OTSEGO COUNTY. 441 

mountains. Mr. Lindesay, as well as all the early settlers, found it important to cultivate 
their friendship ; he received them into his house, and treated them with such hospitaUty as 
circumstances would permit : this kindness was not lost upon the high-minded savages, one 
of whom gave proof of no ordinary friendship during the first winter after his removal to 
Lindesay's Bush. Whatever of happiness and independence Mr. Lindesay may have looked 
forward to, he knew little of the privations of the settlers of a new country, especially such 
a country as he had selected ; his farm was 15 miles from any settlement, difficult of access 
from that settlement, which was on the Mohawk river, by reason of its elevation above it ; 
and the intervening country was traversed only by an Indian footpath. 

" In the winter of 1740, the snow fell to a great depth ; the paths were filled up ; all 
communication with the settlers upon the Mohawk was stopped ; Mr. Lindesay had not 
made sufficient preparation for such a winter; he had but a scanty supply of provisions; 
these were almost consumed long before spring: a wretched and lingering death was in' 
prospect for him and his family. At this critical time, an Indian came to his house, having 
travelled upon the snow with snow-shoes ; when informed of their situation, he readily 
undertook to relieve them ; he went to the settlements upon the Mohawk, and having pro- 
cured provisions, returned with them upon his back, and during the remainder of the win- 
ter, this faithful child of the forest thus continued to relieve them, and thus preserved the 
lives of the first inhabitants of our town and county. 

" In New York, Mr. Lindesay became acquainted with the Rev. Samuel Dunlop, and 
prevailed upon him to visit his patent, offering him a tract of land of several hundred acres, 
on condition that he would settle upon it, and would use his influence with his friends, and 
persuade them to accompany him. Pleased with the situation, and the generous proprietor 
of the patent, he accepted of the proposal ; he was an Irishman by birth, but had been 
educated in Edinburgh ; had spent several years in the provinces, having travelled over 
most of those at the south ; and at the time of his first acquaintance with Mr. Lindesay, 
was on a tour through those at the north. He went to Londonderry, in New Hampshire, 
where several of his countrymen were settled, whom he persuaded to remove, and in 1741, 
David Ramsay, William Gallt, James Campbell, WiUiam Dickson, and one or two others, 
with their families, in all about 30 persons, came and purchased farms, and immediately 
commenced making improvements upon them. They had emigrated from the north of 
Ireland several years anterior to their removal here ; some of them were originally from 
Scotland ; they were called Scotch Irish — a general name given to the inhabitants of the 
north of Ireland, many of whom are of Scotch descent ; hardy and industrious, inured to 
toil from their infancy, they were well calculated to sustain the labors necessary in clearing 
the forest, and fitting it for the abode of civilized man. 

" The following circumstance gave rise to its name. Mr. Dunlop, engaged in writing 
some letters, inquired of Mr. Lindesay where he should date them, who proposed the name 
of a town in Scotland ; Mr. Dunlop, pointing to some fine wild cherry-trees, and to the 
valley, replied, ' Let us give our place an appropriate name, and cull it Cherry Valley,' 
which was readily agreed to ; it was for a long time the distinguishing name of a large 
section of country, south and west. Soon after the arrival of these settlers, measures were 
taken for the erection of a grist-mill and saw.mill, and a building for a school-house and 
church. Mr. Dunlop left Ireland under an engagement of marriage with a young lady of 
that country, and having made the necessary arrangements for his future residence in Cherry 
Valley, returned to fulfil it. This engagement was conditional ; if he did not return in 
seven years from the time of his departure, it should be optional with her to abide by or put 
an end to the contract ; the time had almost expired ; she had heard nothing from him for 
some time, and supposed him either dead or unfaithful ; another offered, was accepted, and 
the day appointed for the marriage. In the mean time Mr. Dunlop had been driven ofl' the 
coast of Scotland by a storm : after a detention of several days, he finally made port in 
Ireland, and hastening on his journey, arrived the day previous , his arrival was as joyful 
as it was unexpected ; he was married, and returned immediately with his wife to Cherry 
Valley, and entered upon his duties as the first pastor of its little church. A log-house had 
been erected to the north of Mr. Lindesay's, on the declivity of the httle hill upon which his 
house was situated ; where, though possessing little of this world's wealth, they offered up 
the homage of devout and grateful hearts. Most of the adult inhabitants were members of 
the church ; the clergyman was to receive ten shillings on the hundred acres of land ; a 
mere pittance, by reason of the small number of inhabitants; but he lived frugally ; they 
made presents to him of the productions of their farms, which, with the avails of his own, 
afforded him a competent support. In these early days, an excellent state of feeling towards 
each other prevailed ; common danger, and common interest, united them. In their wor- 
ship and observances they were very strict. During the ten subsequent years, not more 
than three or four families had come into the settlement. Among them was Mr. John 

58 



4 



442 OTSEGO COUNTY* 

Wells, grandfather of the late John Wells of New York city. He also was an Irishman, 
and became a resident in 1743, and in '44 purchased the farm, which Mr. Lindesay had 
selected for himself, and upon which he resided. 

" Mr. Lindesay was unacquainted with practical farming, and his property had been ex- 
pended to little advantage ; after struggling several years, he was compelled to abandon 
his enterprise. The war between France and Great Britain had been, in part, transferred 
to America, and in 1744, our northern frontier was threatened with an attack by the French 
and Indians. Reinforcements were ordered to Oswego, and among them, the company of 
Independent Greens, in which Mr. Congreve was a lieutenant ; he resigned his commission 
in favor of his son-in-law, Mr. Lindesay, who, having spent several years in the service, 
died in New York, leaving no children. Mr. Wells, a man of amiable disposition, and of 
great integrity, before there was any officer of justice, was frequently appealed to as the 
arbiter of any little difference ; he was afterward appointed the first justice of the peace for 
the town, and one of the judges of Tryon county, which offices he continued to exercise 
until the time of his death, a little before the breaking out of the revolution. 

" Mr. Dunlop, having received a classical education, opened a school for the instruction 
of boys, who came from the settlements upon the Mohawk, and from Schenectady and 
Albany. It is worthy of remark, that this was the first grammar school in the state west 
of Albany. The boys were received into his house, and constituted a part of his family. 
The extreme simplicity of the times may be learned from the fact, that they often went into 
the fields, and there recited their lessons as they followed their instructor about, while en- 
gaged in his usual avocations upon his farm ; several individuals along the Mohawk, who 
were afterward conspicuous in the revolution, thus received the first rudiments of their 
education." 

On the 11th of Nov., 1778, the Indians and tories, about 700 in 
number, under the command of Joseph Brant and Walter Butler, made 
a descent upon this beautiful valley, laid the settlement in ashes, and 
massacred 32 of the inhabitants, mostly women and children. During 
the day they made several attacks on the fort, but w^ithout success. 
The follovi^ing is extracted from the " Annals of Tryon county." 

" The inhabitants, many of whom had left in the summer, in consequence of the repeated 
attacks of the Indians upon the frontiers, had now returned to their homes, thinking the 
season so far advanced, that no danger need be apprehended. On the information above 
being given to Col. Alden, they requested permission to remove into the fort, or at least to 
deposit their most valuable property there. Both requests were denied by Col. Alden. He 
replied, that it would be a temptation to his soldiers to plunder ; that the report was proba- 
bly unfounded ; that it was only an Indian story, and that he would keep out scouts, who 
would apprise them in season to secure themselves, in case of real danger. Scouts were 
accordingly sent out, to traverse the country in every direction. The scout sent down the 
Susquehannah kindled up a fire on the night of the 9th, and all very foolishly lay down to 
sleep. The fire was discovered by the enemy, and a little before daylight on the morning 
of the 10th, they were all surrounded and taken. 

"On the night of the 10th, the enemy encamped on the top of a hill thickly covered with 
evergreens, about a mile southwest from the fort. On the morning of the 11th, the enemy 
moved from his encampment towards the fort. They had learned from the scout which 
they had taken, that the officers of the garrison lodged in different private houses out of the 
fort ; their forces were so disposed that a party should surround every house in which an 
officer lodged nearly at the same time, while the main body would attack the fort. During 
the night the snow fell several inches. In the morning it turned to rain, and the atmos- 
phere was thick and hazy. The whole settlement thought themselves secure. The assur- 
ances of Col. Alden had in a considerable degree quieted their fears. Every thing favored 
the approach of the enemy undiscovered. Col. Alden and Lieut. Col. Stacia, with a small 
guard, lodged at Mr. Wells's. A Mr. Hamble was coming up that morning from his house 
several miles below, on horseback ; when a short distance from Mr. Wells's house he was 
fired upon and wounded by the Indians. He rode in great haste to inform Col. Alden of 
their approach, and then hastened to the furt. Still incredulous, and believing them to be 
only a straggling party, he ordered the guard to be called in. The delay of a few minutes 
gave the Indians time to arrive. The rangers had stopped to examine their firelocks, the 
powder in which having been wet with the rain. The Indians improving this opportunity, 
rushed by. The advance body was composed principally of Seneca.9, at tliat time the wild, 
est and most ferocious of the Six Nations. Col. Alden made his escape from the house, 



OTSEGO COUNTY. 443 

and was pursued down the hill, towards the fort, by an Indian ; when challenged to surren- 
der, he peremptorily refused so to do ; several times he turned round and snapped his pistol 
at the Indian ; the latter, after pursuing some distance, threw his tomahawk, and struck 
him on the head, and then rushing up, scalped him. He thus ' was one of the first victims 
of this most criminal neglect of duty.' Lieut. Col. Stacia was taken prisoner. The guard 
were all killed or taken. 

" The Senecas, who first arrived at the house, with some tories, commenced an indis- 
criminate massacre of the family, and before the rangers arrived, had barbarously murdered 
them all, including Robert Wells, his mother, and wife, and four children, his brother and 
sister, John and Jane, with three domestics. Of this interesting and excellent family, not 
one escaped, except the late John Wells of New York city. His father had left him in 
Schenectady the previous summer with an aunt, that he might attend the grammar-school 
there. He might almost have exclaimed with Logan, that not a drop of his blood ran in 
the veins of any human being ; or as it has been beautifully expressed by an eminent Eng. 
lish poet, 

" They ' left of all my tribe 
Nor man, nor child, nor thing of living birth. 
No ! not the dog that watched my household hearth 
Escaped, — that ' morn' of blood upon our plains 
All perished ! I alone am left on earth ! 
To whom nor relative nor blood remains. 
No I not a kindred drop that runs in human veins.' 

" A tory boasted that he killed Mr. Wells while at prayer. The melancholy fate of 
Jane Wells deserves a more particular notice. She was a young lady, not distinguished 
for her personal beauty, but endeared to her friends by her amiable disposition, and her 
Christian charities. One ' in whom the friendless found a friend,' and to whom the poor 
would always say, ' God speed thee.' She fled from the house to a pile of wood near by, 
behind which she endeavored to screen herself. Here she was pursued by an Indian, who, 
as he approached, deliberately wiped his bloody knife upon his leggins, and then placed it 
in its sheath : then drawing his tomahawk, he seized her by the arm ; she possessed some 
knowledge of the Indian language, and remonstrated and supplicated, though in vain. 
Peter Smith, a tory, who had formerly been a domestic in Mr. Wells's family, now inter- 
posed, saying she was his sister, and desiring him to spare her life. He shook his toma. 
hawk at him in defiance, and then turning round, with one blow smote her to the earth. 
John Wells, Esq., at tljis time deceased, and the father of Robert Wells, had been one of 
the judges of the courts of Tryon county ; in that capacity, and as one of the justices of the 
quorum, he had been on intimate terms with Sir William Johnson and family, who fre- 
quently visited at his house, and also with Col. John Butler, likewise a judge. The family 
were not active either for or against the country; they wished to remain neutral, so far as 
they could, in such turbulent times ; they always performed military duty, when called out 
to defend the country. Col. John Butler, in a conversation relative to them, remarked — ' 1 
would have gone miles on my hands and knees to have saved that family, and why my son 
did not do it, God only knows.' 

" Another party of Indians surrounded the house of the Rev. Samuel Dunlop, whom we 
have frequently had occasion to mention, as the pioneer in education in western New 
York. His wife was immediately killed. The old gendeman and his daughter were pre. 
served by Little Aaron, a chief of the Oquago branch of the Mohawks. Mrs. Wells was 
also a daughter of Mr. Dunlop; Little Aaron led him out from the house, tottering with 
age, and stood beside him lo protect him. An Indian passing by, pulled his hat from his 
head, and ran away with it ; the chief pursued him, and regained it ; on his return, another 
Indian had carried away his wig : the rain was falling upon his bare head, while his whole 
system shook like an aspen, under the combined influence of age, fear, and cold. He was 
released a few days after ; but the shock was too violent ; he died about a year after : his 
death was hastened by his misfortunes, though he could have borne up but a few years 
longer under the increasing infirmities of old age. 

" A Mr. Mitchell, who was in his field, beheld a party of Indians approaching ; he could 
not gain his house, and was obliged to flee to the woods. Here he evaded pursuit and 
escaped. A melancholy spectacle presented itself on his return — it was the corpses of his 
wife and four children. His house had been plundered and set on fire. He extinguished 
the fire, and by examination found life still existing in one of his children, a little girl ten 
or twelve years of age. He raised her up and placed her in the door, and was bending 
over her when he saw another partj- approaching. He had barely time to hide himself 
behind a log- fence near by, before they were at the house. From this hiding-place, he 



444 OT3EGO COUNTY. 

beheld an infamous tory by the name of Newbury, extinguish the little spark of life which 
remained in his child, with a blow of his hatchet. The next day, without a single human 
being to assist him, he carried the remains of his family down to the fort on a sled, and 
there the soldiers aided him in depositing them in a common grave. Retributive justice 
sometimes follows close upon the heels of crime. This tory was arrested, as a spy, the 
following summer, by order of Gen. James Clinton, when he lay with his army at Canajo. 
harie, on the Mohawk river. Mr. Mitchell was called to prove this act. He was found 
guilty by a court-martial, and with a companion suffered an ignominious death. 

" The party which surrounded the house of Col. Campbell, took Mrs. Campbell and four 
children prisoners. Mr. Campbell was absent from home, but hastened there on the first 
alarm, which was a cannon fired at the fort. He arrived only in time to witness the de- 
struction of his property, and not even to learn the fate of his family ; their lives were 
spared, but spared for a long and dreadful captivity. 

" Many others were killed ; some few escaped to the Mohawk river, and the remainder 
were made prisoners. Thirty.two of the inhabitants, principally women and children, were 
killed, and sixteen continental soldiers. The terror of the scene was increased by the con- 
flagration of all the houses and out-houses in the settlement ; the barns were many of them 
filled with hay and grain. He who fled to the mountains, saw as he looked back the de- 
struction of his home, and of that little all which he had labored for years to accumulate. 

" . . . . The whole settlement exhibited an aspect of entire and complete desolation. The 
cocks crew from the tops of the forest trees, and the dogs howled through the fields and 
woods. The inhabitants who escaped, with the prisoners who were set at hberty, aban- 
doned the settlement." 

Decatur, taken from Worcester in 1808; from Albany 64, from 
Cooperstown SE. 12 miles. Pop. 1,071. 

Edmeston, named after an extensive landholder, was taken from 
Burlington in 1808; from Cooperstown W. 18 miles. Pop. 1,907. 

Exeter, taken from Richfield in 1799; from Albany W. 73, from 
Cooperstown NW. 10 miles. Le Roy, West Exeter, and Exeter, 
are sinall post villages. Pop. 1,423. 

Hartwick, taken from Otsego in 1802; from Albany 70 miles. 
Pop. 2,475. The Hartwick Lutheran Theological and Classical 
Seminary, is pleasantly situated on the bank of the river. West 
Hartwick, 9 miles W. from Cooperstown, and Hartwick, are small 
post villages. 

Laurens, taken from Otego in 1810; from Albany W. 78 miles. 
Pop. 2,173. Laurensville, an incorporated village, 18 miles SW. from 
Cooperstown, contains about 40 dwellings. Jackson, 14 miles from 
Cooperstown, has about 20 dwellings. 

Maryland, taken from Worcester in 1808 ; from Albany 66 miles. 
Maryland, 14 miles S. of Cooperstown, Jacksonborough, and Mary- 
land Centre, are small post villages. 2,050. 

Middlefield, taken from Cherry Valley in 1797 ; from Albany, 
W., 63 miles. Middlefield, 5 miles E., Middlefield Centre, 7 miles 
NE., and Phoenix, 3 miles S. from Cooperstown, are small villages. 
Pop. 3,318. 

MiLroRD, originally named Suffrage, taken from Unadilla in 1796; 
from Albany 76 miles. Milford, on the Susquehannah, 8 miles S. of 
Cooperstown, and Collierville, are small villages. Milford Centre 
and Portlandville are post-offices. Pop. 2,075. 

New Lisbon, taken from Pittsfield in 1806 ; from Albany, W., 76 
miles. Garretsville 16 miles. New Lisbon 18 miles SW. from 
Cooperstown, and Nobleville, are small settlements. Pop. 1,909. 

Oneonta, formerly Otego, taken from Unadilla in 1796; from 



OTSEGO COUNTY. 



^5 



Albany 80 miles. Oneonta village, 22 miles S. from Cooperstown, 
has about 60 dwellings. West Oneonta is a post-office. Pop. 1,936. 

Otego, formerly Huntsville, taken from Unadilla and Franklin in 
1822; from Albany 86 miles. Otego village, 31 miles SW. from 
Cooperstown, has about 40 dwellings. Otsdawa is a post-office. 
Pop. 1,919. 

Otsego, originally organized as part of Montgomery county in 
1788; since altered. Cooperstown and Oaksville are post villages. 
Pop. 4,118. 

Cooperstown, the county seat, distant from New York by way of 
Catskill 200 miles, of Albany 211 ; from Albany 66, and from Utica, 
SE., 36 miles, is beautifully situated at the southern end of Otsego 
lake, at the head of the Susquehannah river. 




Western view of Cooperstown. 

The site of the present village is said to have been a favorite place 
of resort with the savages from a remote period, for the purpose of 
hunting and fishing. The word " Otsego" is thought to be a com- 
pound which conveys the idea of a spot at which meetings of the In- 
dians were held. There is a small rock near the outlet of the lake, 
called the " Otsego Rock," at which precise point the savages, ac- 
cording to an early tradition, were accustomed to give each other 
the rendezvous. 

" It should also be stated, that the present site of Cooperstown is connected with an 
event of some interest that occurred during the war of the revolution. An expedition 
having been commanded to proceed under the orders of Major-general Sullivan, against 
the Indians who then dwelt in the vicinity of the Seneca lake, a brigade employed in the 
duty, under Brigadier-general James Clinton, (the father of the celebrated De Witt Clin- 
ton,) marched from Albany for that purpose. After ascending the Mohawk as far as Fort 
Plain, this brigade cut a road through the forest to the head of Lake Otsego, whither it 
transported its boats. Traces of this road exist, and it is still known by the name of the 
Continental R.oad. Embarking at the head of the lake, the troops descended to the outlet. 



446 OTSEGO COUNTY. 

where they encamped on the site of the present village. General Clinton's quarters arc 
said to have been in a small building; of hewn logs, which then stood in what are now the 
grounds of the ' Hall,' and which it is thought was erected by Col. Croghan, as a place in 
which he might hold his negotiations with the Indians, as well as for a commencement of 
a settlement. 

" This building, which was about fifteen feet square and intended for a sort of block- 
house, was undoubtedly the first ever erected on this spot. It was subsequently used by 
some of the first settlers as a residence, and by Judge Cooper as a smoke-house, and it was 
standing in 1797, if not a year later. It was then taken down, and removed by Henry 
Pace Eaton to his residence on the road to Pier's, where it was set up again as an out- 
house. 

" There were found the graves of two white men in the same grounds, which were be- 
lieved to contain the bodies of deserters, who were shot during the time the troops were 
here encamped. These graves are supposed to be the first of any civilized man in the 
township of Otsego. All traces of them have now disappeared. 

"As soon as encamped, the troops of Gen. Clinton commenced the construction of a 
dam at the outlet, and when the water had risen to a sufficient height in the lake, the ob. 
struction was removed, the current clearing the bed of the river of flood-wood. After a 
short delay, for this purpose, the troops embarked and descended as far as the junction 
with the Tioga, where they were met by another brigade, commanded by General Sulli- 
van in person. On this occasion, the Susquehannah, below the dam, was said to be so 
much reduced that a man could jump across it. 

" Traces of the dam are still to be seen, and for many years they were very obvious. 
At a later day, in digging the cellar of the house first occupied by Judge Cooper, a large 
iron swivel was discovered, which was said to have been buried by the troops, who found 
it useless for their service. This swivel was the only piece of artillery used for the pur- 
poses of salutes and merry-makings in the vicinity of Cooperstown, for ten or twelve years 
after the settlement of the place. It is well and afTectionately remembered by the name of 
the ' cricket,' and was bursted lately in the same good cause of rejoicing on the 4th of July. 
At the time of its final disaster, (for it had met with many vicissitudes by field and flood, 
having actually been once thrown into the lake,) it is said there was no very perceptible 
difference in size between its touch-hole and its muzzle." — Chronicles of Cooperstown. 

An attempt was made to settle Cooperstown about 10 years before 
the revolution, by Mr. John Christopher Hartwick, which however 
proved abortive ; and between the years 1761 and 1770, Col. Croghan 
with his family resided for a short time on the spot. A final settle- 
ment was commenced in 1786, under the auspices William Cooper, 
Esq., from Burlington, New Jersey, who purchased the tract on 
which the village now stands. The regular commencement of the 
village dates more properly from 1788, as at this time it was regu- 
larly laid out. At the formation of the county, in 1791, Cooperstown 
was designated as the county seat, Mr. Cooper being appointed the 
first judge of the county court. 

Among the incidents of this early day, the following anecdote is related of an ex-oflicer 
of the French army, a Monsieur Ebbal, who kept " bachelor's hall" on the western bank of 
the lake. " Some wags told Monsieur Ebbal, that if chased by a bear, the most certain 
mode of escape, was to throw away his hat, or his coat, to induce the animal to stop and 
smell at it, and then to profit by the occasion, and climb a sapling that was too small to 
enable his enemy to fasten its claws in it, in the way it is known to ascend a tree. The 
advice was well enough, but the advised having actually an occasion to follow it the sue. 
ceeding autumn, scrambled up a sapling first, and began to throw away his clothes after- 
ward. The bear, a she one with cubs, tore to pieces garment after garment, without quit- 
ting the spot, keeping poor Ebbal treed, throughout a cool autumnal night." 

As an indication of the intelligence of the inhabitants, a newspaper, 
the "Otsego Herald," was issued here as early as 1795. The first 
edifice constructed for religious worship was the Presbyterian, erected 
on the east side of West-street, in 1805, and is still occupied by that 
denomination. There are now in the village 169 dwellings, 20 stores, 



OTSEGO COUNT V. 447 

42 shops, 14 offices, 5 churches, 2 weekly newspaper offices, a very 
extensive book publishing establishment, 2 female boarding schools, 
and a bank. Its present population is about 1,300. The private 
dwellings of this place are many of them substantial structures of 
stone and brick, some of which are elegant. The society is refined 
and intelligent. This, with the uncommon beauty of the surrounding 
scenery and healthiness of the climate, will ere long render it a sum- 
mer resort for the elite of our large cities. Oaksville, 4 miles N. of 
Cooperstown, is a small manufacturing village. 

PiTTSFiELD, taken from Burlington in 1797; from Albany, W., 81, 
from Cooperstown. SW., 18 miles. Pop. 1,395. 

Plainfield, taken from Richfield in 1799; from Albany, NW., 77 
miles; centrally distant NW. from Cooperstown 16 miles. Unadilla 
Forks and Lloydsville are small villages. Pop. 1,448. 

Richfield, taken from Otsego in 1792; since altered ; from Al- 
bany, NW., 72, centrally distant N. from Coopei'stown 16 miles. 
Canaderaga Springs, Brighton, and Monticello, are small villages. 
Pop. 1,670. 

Springfield, named from a large deep spring ; taken from Cherry 
Valley in 1797; from Albany, W., 58 miles, centrally distant 11 
miles N. of Cooperstown. Some few Dutch who had settled here, 
were driven off during the revolution. Springfield and East Spring- 
field are small post villages. Pop. 2,382. 

Unadilla, taken from Otsego in 1792; from Albany, W., 100 
miles, from Cooperstown, SW., 40 milc'S. Pop, 2,272. Unadilla, 
pleasantly situated on the Susquehannah, has about eighty dwellings. 
An Indian monument stood in this town about twenty rods west of 
the residence of Levi Bigelow, Esq. It was about 20 feet in dia- 
meter, 10 feet in height, and of a conical form. It was a landmark 
for the early travellers in this region. An Indian trail passed by it. 
Unadilla Centre is a small village. 

In July, 1777, a conference was held in this place between Gen. 
Herkimer and Joseph Brant, the celebrated Indian chieftain, who 
complained of being threatened by Gen. Schuyler ; and also, that 
the Mohawks did not have liberty to pass and repass as formerly, 
&c., &c. The following account of this meeting is given in the An- 
nals of Tryon county. 

" Information having been given, Gen. Herkimer in July marched to Unadilla wiih 380 
mihtia. He was met here by Brant at ihi- head of 130 warriors. Brant complained of the 
same grievances as above set forth. To the question whether he would remain at peace 
if these things were rectified, he replied ; ' The Indians were in concert with the king, as 
their fathers and grandfathers had been. That the king's belts were yet lodged wiih them, 
and they could not falsify their pledge — That Gen. Herkimer and the rest had joined the 
Boston people against their king — That Boston people were resolute, but the king would 
humble them — That Mr. Schuyler, or General, or what you please to call him, was very, 
smart on the Indians at the treaty at German Flats ; but was not at the same time able to 
afford them the smallest article of clothing — That the Indians had formerly made war on 
the white people all united ; and now they were divided, the Indians were not frightened.' 

" After Brant had declared his determination to espouse the cause of the king, Col. Cox 
Baid, if such was his resolution the matter was ended. Brant turned and spoke to his war. 
riore, who shouted and ran to their camp about a mile distant, when seizing their arms, 
they fired a number of guns, and raised the Indian war-whoop. They returned immedi- 



448 PUTNAM COUNTY. 

ately, when Gen. Herkimer addressing Brant, told him he had not come to fight. Brant 
motioned to his followers to remain in their places. Then assuming a threatening attitude, 
he said, if their purpose was war, he was ready for them. He tlien proposed that Mr. 
Stewart, the missionary among the Mohawks, (who was supposed friendly to the English,) 
and the wife of Col. Butler, should be permitted to pass from the lower to the upper Mo- 
hawk castle. 

" Gen. Herkimer assented, but demanded that the tories and deserters should be given 
up to him. This was refused by Brant, who after some further remarks, added that he 
would go to Oswego, and hold a treaty with Col. Butler. This singular conference was 
singularly terminated. It was early in July, and the sun shone forth without a cloud to 
obscure it, and as its rays gilded the tops of the forest trees, or were reflected from the 
waters of the Susquehannah, imparted a rich tint to the wild scenery with which they were 
surrounded. The echo of the war-whoop had scarcely died away before the heavens be- 
came black, and a violent storm of hail and rain obliged each party to withdraw and seek 
the nearest shelter. Men less superstitious than many of the unlettered yeomen who, lean- 
ing upon their arms, were witnesses of the events of this day, could not have failed in after 
times to have looked back upon them, if not as an omen, at least as an emblem of those 
dreadful massacres with which these Indians and their associates afterward visited the in- 
habitants of this unfortunate frontier. 

" Gen. Herkimer appears to have been unwilling to urge matters to extreme, though he 
had sufficient power to have defeated the Indians. He no doubt entertained hopes that 
some amicable arrangement would eventually be made with them. 

" This is believed to have been the last conference held with any of the Six Nations, 
except the Oneidas, in which an effort was made to prevent the Indians engaging in the 
war." 

Westford, taken from Worcester in 1808 ; from Albany 56 miles. 
Pop. 1,468. Westford and Westville are small post villages. 

Worcester, taken from Cherry Valley in 1797 ; area since altered; 
from Albany, W., 56 miles. Pop. 2,420. Worcester and East 
Worcester are post-offices, — the first 16 miles SE., and the last 20 
from Cooperstown. 



PUTNAM COUNTY. 

Putnam county was taken from Dutchess in 1912 ; greatest length 
21, greatest breadth 12 miles. The Highlands extend across the 
western part. The highest point is about 1,580 feet above the Hud- 
son. The remainder of the county, though generally uneven, has 
some handsome plains, with a soil various, and some of it fertile. 
The mountains abound with iron ore of good qual'ty. Butter, beef, 
wool, calves, lambs, sheep, fowls, and the many other species of 
" marketing" are produced here in great quantities for the New York 
market, and their returns are rapidly enriching the producer. The 
evidences of prosperity are everywhere visible. Within a few 
years the lands have doubled in value and price. The county is 
watered easterly and centrally by the main branches of the Croton. 
It is divided into six towns. Pop. 12,825. 

Carmel, taken from Fredrickstown (now Kent) in 1795; centrally 
distant 106 miles from New York, 55 from Albany, 16 E. of the Hudson 
river at West Point, and 18 from Peekskill. Pop. 2,263. Carmel, 



I'lITKAM COUNTV. 



449 



the county seat, is a small village beautifully situated upon Shaws 
lake. Red Mills is a small village on the Muscoot river, 8 miles 
SW. of Carmel. 

Kent, originally named Fredricktown and organized in 1788; 
from New York 60, and from Albany 101 miles. Pop. 1,830. Mill- 
town, 7 miles NW., and Coles Mills, 3 miles N. from Carmel, are 
small settlements on a branch of the Croton. 

Patterson, originally named Franklin, and organized in 1795. 
Pop. 1,349. Patterson or The Qity, formerly named Fredricksburg, 
in the valley of the Croton, is a small village. Towners and Havi- 
land's Hollow are names of post-offices. 




Viejv of the West Point Foundry at Cold Spring. 

Philipstown was organized in 1788 ; centrally distant from New 
York 53, from Albany 95 miles. Pop. 3,814. This town extends 
the whole length of the west end of Putnam county on the Hudson. 
Some of the most prominent peaks of the Highlands are in this town, 
viz : Sugar Loaf, Bull Hill, Break Neck, and Anthony's Nose. This 
last is situated at the entrance of the Highlands, and is about 1,000 
feet in height. During the revolution, a large boom and chain ex- 
tended across from the foot of this peak to Fort Montgomery, on the 
opposite bank of the Hudson. The village of Cold Spring is situated 
20 miles west of Carmel, on the bank of the Hudson, about one mile 
and a half above West Point. It is principally inhabited by the 
families of the officers and workmen of the West Point foundry. 
There is here 1 Presbyterian, 1 Baptist, 1 Episcopal, 1 Methodist, 
and 1 Catholic church, 171 dwellings, 11 mercantile stores, and 1,250 
inhabitants. 

The West Point foundry is situated about three fourths of a mile 
SE. from the village of Cold Spring. It was established in 1816, 
and is at present the largest establishment of the kind in the Union. 

The establishment employs 400 men, and is divided into the following branches, M'ith a 
foreman at the head of each branch, viz : an iron foundry, a brass foundry, pattern, smiths', 

57 



450 



PUTNAM COUNTY. 



machine, and boiler shops. There are attached to the foundry, 3 air furnaces, 3 cupolas. 
In the smithn' shop tliere is 1 trip-hammer of seven tons weight, rind 2 tilt-hammers, — one 
of 1,000, and the other of 500 lbs. Shafts of 19 inches diameter have been forged here, 
weighing 12 tons, and they are prepared to forge shafts of 2 feet diameter. The machine 
shop contains 28 turning lathes, and 3 planing machines for iron. The cuiisumption of the 
principal materials was as follows during the year 1840. Pig iron, $140,000 ; coal, 
$33,000; bar iron, $29,000; boiler iron plate, $14,.50(); copper, .$44,640; total $2G1, 140. 
The principal articles manufactured during that time were water pipes for the Croton water 
works; steam engines and sugar mills for the West Indies; steam engines and cotton 
presses for the southern states ; flour mill, with 2 water wheels and 8 run of burr stones, f jr 
Austria ; flour mill and 3 run of stones for Halifax, N. B. ; engines, boilers, &,c., for tho 
steam frigate Missouri; heavy wrought iron wSrk for (he steam frigate Mississii)pi. Steam 
engines and boilers, both high and low pressure, are manufactured likewise ; flour, rice, 
sugar, oil, and saw-mills, sugar kettles, cotton presses, hydrostatic cylinders, brass and iron 
cannon, bells, shot and shells, heavy and light forged work ; castings of all sizes, either of 
composition or iron. 







The Robinson House. 

This dwelling, named after the unfortimate owner, Col. Beverly 
Robinson, is romantically situated on the east bank of the Hudson, 
about two miles l;elow West Point, near the base of the " Sugar 
Loaf," one of the lofty peaks of the Highlands. Dr. Dwight, who 
in the year 1778 spent several months at West Point, has given the 
annexed account of this dwelling and its original possessor. 

" A part of this time I resided at the head-quarters of General Putnam, then command, 
ing at this post , and afterward of General Parsons, who succeeded him in the command. 
These gentleinen lodged in die house of Col. Beverly Robinson ; a respectable native of 
Scotland, who married a lady of the Phillips family, one of the wealthiest, and most re. 
spectable of the province of New York. With this lady Col. Robinson acquired a large 
landed estate lying in Pliillipstown, Fredericktown, and Franklin, as they are now called; 
and for the more convenient management of it planted himself in ibis spot. Here he had a 
spacious and convenient mansion, surrounded by valuable gardens, fields, and orchards, 
yielding every thing which will grow in this climate. The rents of his estate were suffi. 
cient to make life as agreeable as from this source it can be. Mrs. Robinson was a fine 
woman ; and their children promised every thing which can be expected from a very hope- 
ful family. His immediate friends were, at the same time, persons of the first consequence 
in the province. 

" When the revolutionary war broke out. Col. Robinson was induced, contrary as I have 
been informed to his own judgment and inclination, by the importunity of some of his con. 
nections to take the British side of the question. To him it appeared wiser and safer to 
act a neutral part, and remain quietly on his estate. The pressure, however, from various 
sources was so strong against him, that he finally yielded, and carried his family with him 
to New York, and thenco to Great Britain. His property was coiifiscated by the legisla. 



PUTNAM COUNTY. 451 

ture of New York, and his family banished from their native country. It was impossible 
for any person, who finds an interest in the affairs of his fellow-men, and particularly while 
residing in the very mansion where they had so lately enjoyed all which this world can 
give, not to feel deeply the misfortunes of this family. Few events in human hfe strike the 
mind more painfully than banishment; a calamity sufficiently disastrous in the most 
ordinary circumstances, but peculiarly affecting when the banished are brought before us 
in the narrow circle of a family; a circle, the whole of which the eye can see, and whose 
sufferings the heart can perfectly realize. Peculiarly is this true, when the family in ques- 
tion is enlightened, polished, amply possessed of enjoyments, tasting them with moderation 
and sharing them cheerfully with their friends and neighbors, the stranger and the poor." 

When Arnold had obtained the command of West Point in Aug., 
1780, he estabhshed his head-quarters at "Beverly," where was me- 
ditated that act of treachery which has stamped his memory with 
everlasting infamy. At the time the news of the capture of Andre 
was received by Arnold, General Washington ii ti nii; otiicers, together 
with the traitor, were seated at breakfast, in the lower room, to the 
left of the small tree seen near the centre of the engraving. 

The annexed, from the pen of a late visiter, is extracted from the 
Knickerbocker for Sept., 1840. 

" The commander-in-chief, at the time of the capture, was on his way from Hartford, and 
changing the route which he had first proposed, came by the way of West Point. At 
Fishkill he met the French minister, M. de la Luzerne, who had been to visit Count 
Rochambeau at Newport, and he remained that night with the minister. Very early next 
morning he sent off his luggage, with orders to the men to go with it as quickly as possible 
to ' Beverly,' and give Mrs. Arnold notice that he would be there at breakfast. When the 
general and his suite arrived opposite West Point, he was observed to turn his horse into 
a narrow road that led to the river. La Fayette remarked, ' General, you are going in a 
wrong direction ; you know Mr*. Arnold is waiting breakfast for us.' Washington good- 
naturedly remarked : ' Ah, I know you young men are all in love with Mrs. Arnold, and 
wish to get where she is as soon as possible. You may go and take your breakfast with 
her, and tell her not to wait for me : I must ride down and examine the redoubts on this 
side of the river.' The officers, however, with the exception of two of the aids, remained. 
When the aids arrived at 'Beverly,'* they found the family waiting; and having commu. 
nicated the message of General Washington, Arnold, with his family and the two aids, sat 
down to breakfast. Before they had finished, a messenger arrived in great haste, and 
handed General Arnold a letter, which he read with deep and evident emotion. 

" The self-control of the soldier enabled Arnold to suppress the agony he endured after 
reading this letter. He rose hastily from the table ; told the aids that his immediate pre- 
sence was required at West Point ; and desired them so to inform General Washington, 
when he arrived. Having first ordered a horse to be ready, he hastened to Mrs. Arnold's 
chamber, and there, with a bursting heart, disclosed to her his dreadful position, and that 
they must part, perhaps for ever.t Struck with horror at the painful intelligence, this fond 
and devoted wife swooned, and fell senseless at his feet. In this state he left her, hurried 
down stairs, and mounting his horse, rode with all possible speed to the river. In doing 
so, Arnold did not keep the main road, but passed down the mountain, pursuing a by-path 
through the woods, which Lieutenant Arden pointed out, and which is now called ' Arnold's 
Path.'' Near the foot ot the mountain, where the path approaches the main road, a weep- 
ing willow, planted there no doubt by some patriot hand, stands, in marked contrast with 
the forest trees which encircle and surround it, to point out to the inquiring tourist the very 
.pathway of the traitor. 

* The property now belongs to Richard D. Arden, Esq., and adjoins his own romantic 
and beautiful " Ardenia," whence no " visiter" departs, who can ever forget the generous 
" Highland welcome." Mr. Arden, with a true patriotism that does him honor, has per- 
mitted no alteration of the interior of the hou'^e. The same low ceiling, large and uncov. 
ered joists, the same pohshed tiles around the fire-places, and the absence of all ornament 
which marks the progress of modern architecture, preserve complete the interest which 
the stirring incidents of that period have flung around the " Robinson House." 

t We also visited this chamber, which remains unaltered. Over the mantel ia carved in 
the wood work : " G. Wallis, Lieut. VI. Mass. Begt." 



452 auEENs couNTy. 

" In our interesting visit, we were accompanied by the superintendent, Major Delafield, 
and in the barges kindly ordered for our accommodation, we were rowed to ' Beverly Docli,' 
and landed at the spot where Arnold took boat to aid his escape. He was rowed to the 
' Vulture,' and using a white handkerchief, created the impression that it was a flag-boat : it 
was therefore suffered to pass. He made himself known to Captain Sutherland, of the Vul- 
ture, and then calling on board the leader of the boatmen who had rowed him off, informed 
him that he and his crew were all prisoners of war. This disgraceful and most unmanly 
appendix to his treason, was considered so contemptible by the captain, that he permitted 
the man to go on shore, on his parol of honor, to procure clothes for himself and comrades. 
This he did, and returned the same day. When they arrived in New York, Sir Henry 
Chnton, holding in just contempt such a wanton act of meanness, set them all at liberty. 

" When General Washington reached ' Beverly,' and was informed that Arnold had de- 
parted for West Point, he crossed directly over, expecting to find him. Surprised to learn 
that he had not been there, after examining the works he returned. General Hamilton had 
remained at ' Beverly,' and as Washington and his suite were walking up the mountain 
road, from ' Beverly Dock,' they met General Hamilton, with anxious face and hurried step, 
coming towards them. A brief and suppressed conversation took place between Washing. 
ton and himself, and they passed on rapidly to the house, where the papers that Washing- 
ton's change of route had prevented his receiving, had been delivered that morning ; and 
being represented to Hdniilton as of great and pressing importance, were by him opened, 
and the dreadful secret disclosed. Instant measures were adopted to intercept Arnold, and 
prevent his escape, but in vain. General Washington then communicated the facts to La 
Fayette and Knox, and said to the former, ' more in sorrow than in anger,' ' Whom can we 
trust now ?' He also went up to see Mrs. Arnold ; but even Washington could carry to 
her no consolation. Her grief was almost frenzied ; and in its wildest moods, she spoke 
of General Washington as the murderer of her child. It seemed that she had not the re- 
motest idea of her husband's treason ; and she had even schooled her heart to feel more for 
the cause of America, from her regard for those who professed to love it. Her husband's 
glory was her dream of bliss — the requiem chant for her infant's repose ; and she was 
found, alas ! as many a confiding heart has oft been found, 

' To cling like ivy round a worthless thing.' " 

Putnam Valley, recently erected from Phillipstown, is situated in 
the mountainous region of the Highlands ; from Carmel centrally 
distant W.'9 miles. Iron ore is found here. Pop. 1,659. 

Southeast, organized in 1795; from Albany 113 miles. Joes 
Hill is a beautiful and romantic eminence extending W. from Con- 
necticut into this town. Pop. 1,910. Milltown, 8 miles E. of Car- 
mel, and Hatsville, are small settlements. 



QUEENS COUNTY. 

Queens county, an original county, was organized in 1683, and 
now contains all that part of Long Island which is bounded easterly 
by Sutfolk county, southerly by the Atlantic ocean, northerly by 
Long Island sound, and westerly by Kings county, including Lloyds 
Neck or Queens Village, the islands called North and South Bro- 
ther, Riker's Island, and some other islands lying in the sound oppo- 
site the said bounds and southerly of the main channel. The courts 
of the county were originally holden for the most part at Hempstead, 
at which place the governor on various occasions ordered meetings of 
the delegtites from the different towns. By the act of the Assembly in 
1683, by which the counties and towns upon Long Island were or- 



QUEENS COUNTY. 453 

ganized and established, the county courts were required thereafter 
to be held at the village of Jamaica. They were held there for 
about seven years in the old stone church which stood in the middle 
of the present Fulton street, opposite Union Hall street. In the year 
1690, a courthouse and jail were erected upon the site now occupied 
by the female academy, and continued to be used for the purpose of 
holding the courts of the county until the present courthouse was 
built upon the north side of Hempstead plains, in the town of North 
Hempstead, in the year 1788. The county is divided into six towns. 
Pop. 30,324. 

Flushing has for the most part a level surface and good soil. Pop. 
4,124. The settlement of this town was commenced in 1644, prin- 
cipally by a company of Englishmen, who had been residents of 
Vlissengen, or Flushing, in Holland. They came to this place on ac- 
count of the inducements held out to them by the government of the 
Netherlands. At the revocation of the edict of Nantes a number of 
French protestants fled from their native country, and several fam- 
ilies came and settled in Flushing, most of whose posterity are now 
extinct. About the only memorial of them now existing are a num- 
ber of the lady apple and hell pear trees which they planted in differ- 
ent places. They also introduced a variety of other fruits. From 
that time to this, Flushing has had a high reputation for the excellence 
and variety of its fruit. The well-known Linnean Botanic Garden 
was commenced here as early as 1750, by William Prince. White- 
stone and Clintonville are small settlements in this town. 

Flushing village, recently incorporated, contains about 2,000 inhab- 
itants in a square mile. Its various attractions, with great facility of 
communication with New York, have induced many wealthy citizens 
to locate in its immediate neighborhood. Some of the private resi- 
dences are among the most imposing and splendid edifices in the state. 
The village of Flushing lies at the head of Flushing bay, 5 miles 
from the sound, by water, 9 miles from the centre of New York, and 
1 1 west from North Hempstead. St. Paul's college, under the di- 
rection of the Rev. Wm. A. Muhlenberg, is a flourishing institution 
on College point, about 3 miles north of Flushing village. St. Thomas' 
Hall, a literary institution for young men, has lately been established 
at Flushing, under the direction of Rev. Francis L. Hawks, D. D., prin- 
cipal and proprietor. St. Ann's Hall is a female institute, of which 
Rev. John F. Schroeder, D. D., is the principal. 

On the right in the annexed view is the Bowne mansion-house, sit- 
uated upon the elevated ground about half a mile eastward of the 
steamboat landing in Flushing. It is believed to be the oldest house 
now standing on Long Island, having been erected in 1661, by John 
Bowne, of the society of Friends. Besides the antiquity of the build- 
ing, it is one of much historic interest. The celebrated George Fox, 
the founder of the society of Friends, has lodged within the walls of 
this house, which was the place for the yearly meeting for the whole 
body of Friends in the province of New York, previous to 1690. 
On the left of the engraving, on the opposite side of the street from 



454 



aUEENS COUNTY. 




Bowne Mansion-house, Flushing, L. I. 

the house, are seen two ancient oaks, under which Fox preached 
when in this country in 1672. Although differing in some of his ten- 
ets from the majority of those professing the Christian name, George 
Fox had the martyr spirit within, and, had he been called to the trial, 
would doubtless have sealed his testimony with his blood. His suffer- 
ings in the cause of religious freedom entitle him to the gratitude of 
mankind. Mcui of his stamp are the true patriots and genuine nobility 
of the human race. "A nobler object," says an eloquent writer, "no 
human or angelic mind could ever propose to itself, than to promote 
the glory of the great governor of the Universe, in studying and 
laboring to diffuse purity and happiness among his unholy and mis- 
erable creatures." Compared to a spirit like this, how fiendlike is the 
mere warrior or conqueror, 

" Who wades through slaughter to a throne, 
And shuts the gates of mercy on mankind." 

The farm on which the Bowne house is situated is now owned by 
Mr. Samuel Parsons, and has ever been in the possession of some one 
of the Bowne family. The lai'ge and flourishing nursery establish- 
ment of Messrs. Parsons & Co. for fruit and ornamental trees, is on 
this farm. 

Cadwallaber Golden was for 
many years a resident of Flush- 
ing. He was the son of the Rev. 
^/^^ Alexander Golden, of Dunse, in 
. .- _ t^'^^t—-- Scotland, where he was born Feb, 

I / h":<^ -^^' 1688. He studied medicine 

V.^ at Edinburgh, and in 1708 came 

Fac-timUe 0/ Caduaiiadtr Coidtn's tignaiure. to Philadelphia, and established 

himself as a physician. In 1718, he removed to New York, and was soon appointed sur- 
veyor.general, and afterward master in chancery. In 1720, he was advanced to a place in 
the king's council of the province, and was fgr a long time one of the most conspicuous 
members of that body. In 1761, he was appointed heutenant.governor, and held the office 
till his death in 1776. He was a distinguished scholar as well as a civilian ; was thoroughly 




UUEENS COUNTY. 



455 



versed in the knowledge of medicine, Ijotany, and astronomy ; and corresponded with 
many of the most eminent scholars both in America and Europe. Besides his publications 
relating to mathematics, botany, and medicine, he wrote a valuable history of the Five In- 
dian Nations. While holding the office of lieutenant-governor, he resided most of the time 
at his farm in Flushing, called Spring Hill. He died Sept. 2(i, 1776, and was buried in a 
private cemetery on the Spring Hill farm. He had five sons and five daughters, a part ot 
whom only survived him. Three of his sons, Alexander, Cadvvallader, and David, were 
prominent men in the colony. CadwaUader D. Colden, the only son of David Golden, was 
born at Spring Hill in Flushing, April 4, 1769. He commenced his education in the town 
of Jamaica, and completed it in London. In 1785, he returned to the United States and 
commenced the study of law. He entered upon the practice of his profession at Pough- 
keepsie, in 1793, where he was soon made district attorney, and laid the foundalion 
of his future fame. In a few years he stood, as a conmncrei:'.l lawyer, at the head of 
his profession, and in the other branches, among the first. In 1818 he was elected to the 
New York assembly, and the same year appt)inted mayor of New York. In 1822 he was 
chosen a representative in Congress. In 1824 he was elected to the state senate, and held 
the office three years in succession. The most untiring industry and patient research were 
peculiar traits in his professional character, and marked his proceedings in every thing he un. 
dertook. He was among the earliest and most efficient promoters, in coimection with De 
Witt Clinton, of the system of internal improvements. At the completion of the Erie 
canal, he wrote and published the memoir upon the subject. He wrote also the Life of 
Roliert Fulton. He died universally esteemed at Jersey City, Feb. 7. 1834. 




''^'' Northern view of Hempstead, Long Island. 

Hempstead, incorporated in 1784, was originally the south part of 
the ancient town of Hempstead. It has a level surface and a soil of 
sandy loam, much of which is rendered quite productive by a judi- 
cious cultivation. Pop. 7,619. The first permanent settlement in 
the town is supposed to have been commenced on rhe site of the 
present village of Hempstead, in 1643, Uy a few emigrants from New 
England, who obtained a patent from the Dutch governor Kieft. 
These emigrants came originally from a place commonly called 
Heme l-Hempstead, 23 miles from London. The annexed engraving 
shows the appearance of Hempstead village as it is entered from the 
north by the branch railroad, two miles in length, which connects the 
village with the Long Island railroad. It is pleasantly situated on 
the southern margin of the great "Hempstead plains," 21 miles 
from New York, and three from the courthouse in North Hemp- 
stead. These plains consist of about 17,000 acres of unenclosed 
lands, which the inhabitants of the town own in common. The 
village has within a square mile 200 dwellings, and about 1,400 in- 



456 



aUEENS COUXTV. 



habitants ; there are three churches, 1 Presbyterian, 1 Episcopal, and 
1 Methodist, and the Hempstead Seminary, a fine specimen of mod- 
ern architecture. There is a newspaper printing otiice in the village. 
The village of Jerusalem, upon the eastern border of the town, con- 
tains about 150 inhabitants. The village of Near Rockaway is about 
5 miles SW. of Hempstead village, at the head of Rockaway bay, 
which can be approached by vessels of 60 or 80 tons. It is a place 
of some business : here are several stores, a lumber and ship yard, 
&c. Far Rockaway, about 29 miles from New York, has grown 
into importance as a fashionable watering place. The " Marine Pa- 
vilion," a splendid hotel, was erected here in 1834, near the beach, 
70 rods from the ocean. Raynortown is a small village 5 miles SE. 
from Hempstead village. 

The annexed engraving is a representation of the monument erected 
to commemorate the terrible loss of life by the wreck of the Bristol 
and Mexico, on the south shore of this town in 1836-7. The grave 
is about 3 feet high, 9 wide, and 100 feet long, and contains the bodies 
of nearly 100 individuals. It is situated adjoining the Methodist 
burial ground at Near Rockaway, in this town, 4 miles soulh>,cst of 
Hempstead village. This monument is 18 feet in height from the 
bottom of the mound, and is constructed of white marble from the 
quarries of Westchester county. The following are the inscriptions : 

South side. — To the memory of 77 per- 
sons, chiefly emigrants from England and 
Ireland, being the only remains of 100 
souls, comprising the passengers and crew 
of the American ship Bristol, Captain 
McKown, wrecked on Far Rockaway 
beach, November 21, 1836. 

IVest side. — All the bodies of the Bris- 
tol and Mexico, recovered from the ocean, 
and decently interred near this spot, were 
followed to the grave by a large concourse 
of citizens and strangers, and an address 
delivered suited to the occasion. 



North side. — To the memory of sixty, 
two persons, chiefly emigrants from Eng. 
land and Ireland ; being the only remains 
of 115 souls, forming the passengers and 
crew of the American barque Mexico, 
Capt. Winslow, wrecked on Hempsiead 
beach, Jan. 2d, 1837. 

East side. — To commemorate the mel- 
ancholy fate of the unfortunate suflierers 
belonging to the Bristol and Mexico, this 
monument was erected ; partly by the 
money found upon their persons, and part, 
ly by the contributions of the benevolent 
and humane in the county of Queens 




Konwmentat Nta 
ptrUhtidi 



■ Rockn^any to tht memory of \'i^ persont vho 
\ Uic wrtcki nf the Bruitul a/td Mciico. 



aUEKNS COUNTY. 457 

" The ship Bristol sailed from Liverpool Oct. 15, having on board a crew of sixteen men, 
including officers, and about one hundred passengers, chiefly emigrants. She had a fair 
passage across the Atlantic, and was oif Sandy Hook at 9 o'clock on Saturday night, Nov. 
20, with her lanterns out as a signal for a pilot; at which time the gale had just commen- 
ced. No pilots, however, were out, and the ship was obliged to stand off. About four 
o'clock on Sunday morning, she struck on Far Rockaway, and at daylight, though within 
half a mile of the shore, owing to the heavy sea, no relief could be afforded to the dis. 
tressed passengers and crew, who were clinging to the shrouds and other parts of the rig- 
ging ; in this situation they remained through the day. About 11 o'clock at night, the sea 
somewhat abating, some boats went to her relief, and succeeded in taking off the captain, 
a portion of the crew, and some of the passengers. All were rescued who remained on 
the wreck when the boats reached it, but during the day the ship went to pieces, and the 
next morning her stern-post was all that remained. 

" Among the passengers lost was Mr. Donnelly, of New York, who died a victim to his 
own philanthropy ; and Mrs. Hogan and two daughters. Mrs. Donnelly, her nurse and 
children were saved, and, with other women and children, landed by the first boat. Twice 
the boats returned to the wreck, and twice Mr. Donnelly yielded his place to others. In 
the third attempt to go off, the boats were swamped, and the crew became discouraged, 
and would not go back. In the mean time the storm increased, and Mr. Donnelly, with 
the two Mr. Carletons, took to the foremast, where the crew and many steerage passen- 
gers had sought temporary safety. Unhappily, this mast soon went by the board, and of 
about twenty persons on it, the only one saved was Mr. Briscoe, a cabin passenger, which 
I was effected by his catching at the bowsprit rigging, whence he was taken by the boats. 
The captain, and a number of the cabin and steerage passengers, were on the mizenmast ; 
and when that fell, they lashed themselves to the taffrail, where for four hours the sea broke 
over them. 

" Some twenty of the steerage passengers, principally women and children, perished al- 
most immediately after the ship struck. Even before they could leave their berths the ship 
bilged, filled, and all below were drowned. Not a groan was heard to denote the catas- 
, trophe — so awfully sudden was it. 

" And to those whom the waves and the mercy of God had spared, what was the con- 
I duct of their brother man ? Their persons, their trunks, were searched and robbed by the 
I fiends that gathered around the wreck. One hapless being, thrown senseless but yet alive 
( on the shore, and having about him his all — ten sovereigns — was plundered ot them !" 

I Distressing as was the fate of the Bristol, the wreck of the Mexico 
was still more terrible. This occurred in the dead of winter, and 
the sufferings of the unhappy crew and passengers from the cold 
were intense. The annexed affecting description of the appearance 

i after death of the unfortunate individuals who perished in her, is 
given by an eye-witness : — 

" On reaching Hempstead, I concluded to go somewhat off the road, to look at the place 
where the ship Mexico was cast away. In half an hour, we came to Lott's tavern, some 
four or five miles this side of the beach, where the ship lay ; and there, in his barn, had 
been deposited the bodies of the ill-fated passengers, which had been thrown upon the 
shore. I went out to the barn. The doors were open, and such a scene as presented it- 
self to my view, I certainly never could have contemplated. It was a dreadful, a frightful 
scene of horror. 

" Forty or fifty bodies, of all ages and sexes, were lying promiscuously before me over 
the floor, all frozen and as sohd as marble — and all, except a few, in the very dresses in 
which they perished. Some with their hands clenched, as if for warmth, and almost every 
one with an arm crooked and bent, as it would be in clinging to the rigging. 

" There were scattered about among the number, four or five beautiful little girls, ft'om 
six to sixteen years of age, their cheeks and lips as red as roses, with their calm blue eyes 
open, looking you in the face, as if they would speak. I could hardly realize that they 
were dead. I touched their cheeks, and they were frozen as hard and as solid as a rock, 
and not the least indentation could be made by any pressure of the hand. I could perceive 
a resemblance to each other, and supposed them to be the daughters of a passenger named 
Pepper, who perished, together with his wife and all the family. 

" On the arms of some, were seen the impressions of the rope which they had clung to, 
the mark of the twist deeply sunk into the fleeh. I saw one poor negro sailor, a tall man, 
with his head thrown back, his lips parted, and his now sightless eve-balls turned upwards, 

58 



458 aUEENS COUNTY. 

and his arms crossed over his breast, as if imploring heaven for aid. This poor fellow evi- 
dently had frozen while in the act of fervent prayer. 

" One female had a rope tied to her leg, which had bound her to the rigging ; and anoth. 
cr little fellow had been crying, and was thus frozen, with the muscles of the face just as 
we see children when crying. There were a brother and a sister dashed upon the beach, 
locked in each other's arms ; but they had been separated in the barn. All the men had 
their lips firmly compressed together, and with the most agonizing expression on their 
countenances I ever beheld. 

" One little girl had raised herself on tiptoe, and thus was frozen, just in that position. It 
was an awful sight ; and such a picture of horror was before me, that I became uncon- 
sciously fixed to the spot, and found myself trying to suppress my ordinary breathing, lest 
I should disturb the repose of those around me. I was aroused from the revery by the 
entrance of a man — a coroner. 

" As I was about to leave, my attention became directed to a girl, who, I afterward 
learned, had come that morning from the city to search for her sister. She had sent for 
her to come over from England, and had received intelligence that she was in this ship. 
She came into the barn, and the second body she cast her eyes upon, was hers. She gave 
way to such a burst of impassioned grief and anguish, that I could not behold her without 
sharing in her feelings. She threw herself upon the cold and icy face and neck of the 
lifeless body, and thus, with her arms around her, remained wailing, mourning, and sob- 
bing, till I came away ; and when some distance off, I could hear her calling her by name 
in the most frantic manner. 

" So little time, it appears, had they to prepare for their fate, that I perceived a bunch of 
keys, and a half eaten cake, fall from the bosom of a girl whom the coroner was removing. 
The cake appeared as if part of it had just been bitten, and hastily thrust into her bosom, 
and round her neck was a riband, with a pair of scissors. 

" And to observe the stout, rugged sailors, too, whose iron frames could endure so much 
hardship — here they lay masses of ice. Such scenes show us, indeed, how powerless and 
feeble are all human efforts, when contending against the storms and tempests, which sweep 
with resistless violence over the face of the deep. And yet the vessel was so near the 
shore, that the shrieks and moans of the poor creatures were heard through that bitter, 
dreadful night, till towards morning, when the last groan died away, and all was hushed in 
death, and the murmur of the raging billows was all the sound that then met the ear." 

Jamaica is in the southwestern part of the county. Pop. 3,782. 
Its name is derived from a small tribe or family of Indians, who 
it is believed dwelt upon the shore of the creek putting up from 
the bay south of the present village of Jamaica, and called the " Ja- 
maco" tribe. In 1656 some individuals from Milford united with a 
few of the inhabitants from Hempstead, and obtained from Gov- 
ernor Stuyvesant permission to settle the town. A more formal and 
extensive patent was granted to the town in 1660, in which year it 
was incorporated by the name of Rusdorpe, from a town of that 
name in Holland, and which it retained until the conquest, when the 
present appellation was adopted. The first house for religious wor- 
ship was erected in 1662, and the town by a public vote agreed to 
give the Rev. Zachariah Walker, as their minister, a salary of sixty 
pounds a year, payable in wheat and Indian corn at current prices ; 
he was accordingly settled here in 1663. 

The village of Jamaica is a beautiful place. It is located upon the 
Long Island railroad, 13 miles from New York, also upon the great 
thoroughfare from Brooklyn to the east end of Long Island, and en- 
joys every desirable facility of intercourse with the surrounding 
country. Here are concentrated the different roads leading to Brook- 
lyn, Williamsburgh, Rockaway, Flushing, Jericho, and Hempstead. 
This village was made the seat of justice for the north-riding of York- 
shire, at its organization in 1666 ; and so continued after the division 



aUEENS COUNTY. 



459 




Central part of Jamaica Village, Long Island. 

of Long Island into counties in 1683, until the erection of the court- 
house on Hempstead plains in 1788. The offices of surrogate and 
county clerk are still required to be kept here, and for which a suit- 
able building has been erected. The village was incorporated April 
15, 1814, and has been gradually increasing in buildings and popula- 
tion, till it now contains about two hundred dwellings and fifteen 
hundred inhabitants. It has, besides the academies, five places for 
public worship, two newspaper printing offices, two drug-stores, eight 
drygoods and grocery stores, two book and stationary stores, circu- 
lating library, bindery, three carriage-makers, blind and sash manu- 
factory, cabinet-maker, locksmith, pianoforte manufacturer, and many 
other mechanics and artisans. There are several splendid private 
residences in the village and its immediate vicinity, erected by gen- 
tlemen of the city, who find it both convenient and agreeable. Here 
is the depot of the Brooklyn and Jamaica railroad company, with 
their large and commodious car-house, engine-house, and machine- 
shops. This company was incorporated April 25, 1832, to continue 
for fifty years, with a capital of $300,000. In 1836 it was leased for 
a term of years to the Long Island railroad company at an annual 
rent, and has since been under the direction of that incorporation. 
The latter company commenced running cars upon their road as far 
as Hicks ville on the 1st of March, 1837, from which time it has been 
in constant operation. 

" Union Course, where thousands congregate at stated periods to witness the sports of 
the turf, is located upon the western limits of the town. This beautiful course is a few feet 
over a mile in length, on a perfectly level surface, with a good track ; and is universally 
considered one of the best in the United States. Better time has been made upon it, and 
more frequently, than on any other course in the country. Connected with it is a Jockey 
Club of about two hundred and fifty members, who contribute annually twenty dollars 
each towards the Jockey Club purses. There was run over this course, the 27th of May, 
' 1823, one of the most remarkable and best-conteeted races that ever took place in Amer- 




460 aUEENS COUNTY. 

ica ; being a match race of four mile heats, for twenty thousand dollars aside, between the 
North and the South, upon their respective champions. Eclipse and Henry ; and which was 
won in three heats by Eclipse. The time was as follows : first heat, 1' 37" — second heat, 
7' 49" — and the third heat, 8' 24" ; whole time, twenty-three minutes and fifty seconds." 

Col. Marinus Willett was 

born of a respectable family at 

Jamaica, July 31st, (old style,) 

1740. He commenced his mill. 

I' ■ ■, ^ r^ I ,r rir„..< . tsry carcBr as a lieutenant, at 

Fac-timiU of Col. Mannus Willett s strnature. , ■' , r -i -r • i 

* the early age oi 17, \n the 

French war, and was with Abercrombie in his unfortunate expedition against Ticonderoga. 
He was also at the capture of Fort Frontenac. In 1775, he served as a captain under 
Montgomery, in the earlier portion of his campaign in Canada. In November, 1776, he 
received the commission of lieutenant-colonel. During the investment of Fort Stanwix in 
August, 1777, by St. Leger with a body of regulars, Indians, and tories, he was second in 
command. (See p. 367.) For his skill and bravery on this occasion, congress voted him 
an elegant sword. He was a volunteer at the battle of Monmouth, 28th of June, 1788. 
From towards the close of 1780, until the end of the war, he had charge of the troops de- 
fending the northwestern frontier of New York. While on this duty he commanded at the 
battle of Johnstown. (See p. 172.) In private life, he was one of the most amiable of 
men, and after the war, held several civil ofl^ces, the last of which was the mayoralty of 
New York. He died universally regretted in the city of New York, August 3d, 1830, in 
the 91st year of his age, and was buried with military honors. 



" RuFUs King, minister of the United States to Great Britain, graduated at Harvard col- 
lege in 1777. In 1778, he was an aid to Sullivan in an expedition against the British in 
Rhode Island. He studied law with Mr. Parsons, at Newburyport, and was admitted to 
practice in 1780. He was a representative from Newburyport in the legislature. In 1784, 
the legislature appointed him a delegate in congress. In 1787, he was selected as a dele- 
gate from Massachusetts to the convention called for devising a constitution for the United 
States. He afterward was a member of the convention of Massachusetts for adopting the 
constitution. Having removed to New York, he was elected a senator from that state in 
1789. During the violent discussions respecting the British treaty in 1794, he co-operated 
with others in its defence. Of the paper concerning this treaty, with the signature of Ca- 
millus, usually ascribed to Gen. Hamilton, all the numbers excepting the ten first were 
written by him. He was one of those who opposed with success Mr. Gallatin's right to a 
seat in the senate. In 1796, he was appointed by Washington minister plenipotentiary to 
Great Britain. He returned to America in 1803. In May, 1806, he removed permanently 
with his family to Jamaica. In 1813, he was again chosen a senator in congress, and 
although personally opposed to the declaration of war in 1812 as impolitic, yet no one ex- 
hibited a higher degree of patriotism in supporting it. In 1816, he was the unsuccessful 
candidate of the anti-administration party for governor of the state. In 1820, he was re- 
elected again to the senate, where he continued until 1825. In 1825, he was again 
appointed minister to England, where after remaining one year he returned to the United 
States. He died April 27, 1827. In person, Mr. King was above the common size, and 
somewhat athletic ; with a countenance, manly, dignified, and bespeaking high intelligence. 
His manners were courteous, his disposition affable, and his conversation and writings re- 
markable for conciseness and force." 



" Thomas Truxton, whose achievements shed lustre on the infant navy of this country, 
was the son of an eminent English lawyer, and was born at Jamaica, Feb. 17th, 1755." 
At the age of twelve, he made the choice of the profession of a sailor. " In 1775, he com- 
manded a vessel, and distinguished himself by his depredations on British commerce during 
the revolution. He subsequently engaged in commerce, till the year 1794, when he was 
appointed to the frigate Constitution. In 1799, he captured the French frigate L'lnsur- 
gente ; and in the following year he obtained a victory over the La Vengeance. On the 
close of the French war he retired from the navy, and died at Philadelphia in 1822, in his 
67th year." i 

Newtown, originally named Middleburgh, includes Ricker's and 
two other islands of the sound opposite the town ; distant from 



QUEENS COUNTS. 461 

New York about 8 miles. Pop. 5,054. The first white emigrants of 
the town were EngHsh, who came here in 1651. They were allow- 
ed many privileges by the Dutch appertaining to an independent com- 
munity. The village of Newtown is situated on the Flushing turn- 
pike, 7 miles from Brooklyn. It contains 1 Dutch Reformed, 1 Epis- 
copal, and 1 Presbyterian church, and about 80 dwellings. In the 
vicinity of Ravenswood are the valuable farms of the Corporation of 
New York, upon which buildings have been constructed for the ac- 
commodation of more than 500 children, maintained at the public ex- 
pense. 

" The first church was erected in the present village of Newtown, in the year 1670, on 
the arrival of the Rev. William Leverich, (sometimes spelled Leveridge.) He had been 
the first Presbyterian minister of Huntington, and was likewise one of the original pur- 
chasers of the town of Oyster Bay in 1653. Mr. Leverich remained here till his death in 
1692, and was a highly useful man, being well acquainted with public business, and distin- 
guished for great industry and enterprise. The most ancient volume of records in the 
clerk's office of this town is prefaced by about one hundred pages, in the hand-writing of 
this gentleman, but in abbreviated characters ; purporting to be a commentary upon a por- 
tion of the Old Testament, affording conclusive evidence of his learning, patience, and in- 
dustry. He is characterized by Hubbard, in his history of New England, as ' an able and 
worthy minister.' Many of his descendants are at this time residents of the town." St. 
James' Episcopal church in this town was built in 1734, and a Dutch Reformed church has 
been erected here for more than a century. 

Besides Newtown village, there are several other smaller settle- 
ments ; none of which are of much note except Hallet's Cove, lately 
incorporated under the name of Astoria. It is the most important 
place in the town, and is eligibly situated on East river, a short 
distance above Blackwell's Island, and opposite 86th street. New 
York city, where there is a convenient steam ferry. Two handsome 
churches and several splendid private mansions have lately been 
erected here. The village itself is compactly built, and well calcu- 
lated for commercial and manufacturing purposes. Of this remark- 
able spot, the tradition is, that an English adventurer, whose name 
was Hallet, about the year 1640, for a barrel of beef and a few trink- 
ets, purchased from the Indians this tract of land. Having taken to 
himself in marriage a sturdy Dutch lass, they settled down here, and in 
the process of some twenty years, by their united exertions became 
not only independent, but the parents of a numerous race, many of 
whom are still respectable in character and connections. There is 
here an extensive manufactory of carpets, chair factory, wool card 
factory, bellows factory, one for chemical preparations, and several 
gardens and nurseries for the rearing of fruit and ornamental trees. 
The celebrated Hell or Hurl gate is in this vicinity, where those, 
says a certain writer, who love to witness the impetuous stride of 
angry currents, with cragged and zigzag courses among the rocks, 
can hardly find a better place for full gratification. Vessels are some- 
times wrecked at this spot. During the revolution the English frig- 
ate Huzza, in attempting to pass Hell Gate to get to sea by the sound, 
struck a rock, soon filled, and sunk in deep water. Under an impres- 
sion that there was a rich military chest on board, unsuccessful at- 
tempts were made to recover the treasure by means of diving bells. 



462 aUEENS COUNTY. 

North Hempstead, the county town, was formed from Hempstead 
in 1784. This town has produced several eminent men, among 
whom was the late Samuel L. Mitchell, Professor of Natural History, 
&c., in Columbia college. He was born August 20, 1764, and died Sep- 
tember 7, 1831. Manhasset is the name lately substituted for Cow 
Neck, and designates a rich and fertile tract in this town. Sit- 
uated on this tract, on the North Hempstead turnpike, is a small cluster 
of buildings, consisting of three houses of public worship, a tavern, 
academy, and a few private dwellings. At the most northerly part 
of Manhasset is the Sands' point lighthouse, in the vicinity of which 
formerly was the celebrated Kldd's Rock, near which it is generally 
believed that notorious freebooter made valuable deposits. During 
the revolution bands of marauders were accustomed to land upon 
these shores in the night, and rob and cruelly treat the inhabitants. 
In one instance a Mr. Jarvis, aided by an old lady living in the same 
house, succeeded in beating off one of these gangs, killing and wound- 
ing several of the assailants. Three miles easterly of the Manhasset 
churches, beautifully located at the head of the bay, is the village of 
Hempstead Harbor, containing about 40 dwellings. North Hemp- 
stead and Lakeville are small settlements ; at the former are the 
county buildings. The first paper-mill erected in the state was es- 
tablished here about a century since by Andrew^ Onderdonk, ances- 
tor of Bishop Onderdonk of the Episcopal church. Pop. 3,891. 

Oyster Bay embraces a larger extent of territory than any other 
town in the county, and includes Lloyds Neck or Queens village, and 
Hog island. Pop. 5,864. In 1640, an attempt was made by some 
persons from Lynn, Mass., to form a settlement upon the present site 
of the village of Oyster Bay ; but meeting with opposition from the 
Dutch, the settlement was abandoned. The first permanent settle- 
ment was made in 1053, by the English, on the site of this village. 
Oyster Bay village, on the south side of the harbor, is 28 miles NE. 
from New York and contains about 350 inhabitants. On the high 
ground, near the Baptist church, are the remains of a fortification 
erected during the revolution, to prevent any hostile American force 
from entering the bay. 

In the year 1660, Mary Wright, a very poor and ignorant woman of Oyster Bay was sus. 
pected of having a secret correspondence with the author of evil. She was arrested, but as 
there existed no tribunal here which the people considered competent to try her case, she 
was sent to Massachusetts, to stand her trial for witchcraft. She was acquitted of this 
crime, but nevertheless was convicted of being a Quaker, and sentenced to be banished 
out of the jurisdiction. 

The first Baptist church in this village was erected in 1724, and still remains a curious 
relic of that age. It is about 20 feet square, with a quadrangular pointed roof, and no 
longer used "for lodging folk disposed to sleep;" having lately been converted into a 
stable. The present church was built in 1801. Glen Cove is a considerable village on the 
east side of Hempstead harbor. The Dutch church at Wolver Hollow was built in 1732, 
and having stood just 100 years, was followed by the present church in 1832. The village 
of Jericho contains about 250 inhabitants. The Friends meeting-house was first erected 
at this place in 1689, at which time several families of Friends took up their residence here, 
and soon after on the neighboring lands about Westbury. This place was for a considerable 
period the residence of Eiias Hicks, the founder of the sect of Hicksite Quakers, so called 
in distinction from the orthodox Friends; he settled here in 1771, and died in 1830. He was 



KENSSELAER COUNTY. 463 

bom in the town of North Hempstead, on the 19th of March, 1748. His education was 
extremely limited. At the age of 17, he was apprenticed to a carpenter. He began his 
public labors in the society of Friends in 1795, and travelled at different periods over a 
great portion of the United States, from Maine to Ohio, and in the province of Canada. It 
is supposed that during his public ministry he travelled over 10,000 miles, and that he pro- 
nounced at least 1,000 public discourses. He likewise found time to write and publish 
much upon religious subjects, upon war and the practice of negro slavery. " He was a 
person of rough exterior, but of vigorous intellect ; and making no pretensions to elegance 
of style, he reasoned with much force, and addressed himself to the every-day common 
sense, rather than the imagination of his auditors." 

Norwich is a small village, 3 miles S. of Oyster Bay. Hicks- 
ville, 2 miles S. of Jericho, is located upon the eastern part of 
the great plains at the present termination of the Long Island rail- 
road. In the vicinity of Bethpage is P'ort Neck, so called on ac- 
count of two old Indian forts, the remains of which are still very 
conspicuous. The village of Cold Spring is situated at the head and 
upon both sides of Cold Spring harbor, and partly in the town of 
Huntington. It contains about 500 inhabitants and several large 
manufacturing establishments, and is possessed likewise of consider- 
able shipping. 

In May, 1779, Maj. Gen. Silliman, superintendent of the coast of Faii-field, in Connecti- 
cut, was taken prisoner in the night, by a party of refugees who crossed over the sound 
from Lloyds Neck in a whale boat. The boat returned here with their prisoner, and he was 
soon after conveyed to New York. At that time there was no prisoner in possession of 
the Americans whom the British would accept for the general. After some consideration 
it was determined to procure one. The person selected was Hon. Thomas Jones, of Fort 
Neck, Long Island, at that time a justice of the supreme court of the province of New 
York. On the evening of the 4th of November, he was captured by a party of volunteers 
under Capt. Hawley, who had crossed over the sound for the purpose. The judge was 
conveyed to Connecticut, and became an inmate in the family of Mrs. Silliman ; and during 
the several days that he remained in her house, she used every means in her power to make 
his situation agreeable. But although few ladies could contribute more effectually to this 
purpose, the judge was distant, reserved, and sullen. An exchange was effected sometime 
afterward. The grave of Capt. John Underbill, who was so celebrated in the Indian wars 
m New England, is in this town. He Hved here for a number of years, and died upon his 
farm in 1672. 



RENSSELAER COUNTY. 

Rensselaer county was taken from Albany in 1791. Greatest 
length 30, greatest breadth 22 miles ; centrally distant from New 
York N. 156, and from Albany E. 10 miles. The eastern portion 
of the county is broken and hilly, and in some places rather moun- 
tainous and interspersed with fertile valleys. The central and west- 
ern part is diversified with hills, and a gently undulating surface. It 
has extensive valleys and flats of alluvion, with a warm rich soil ; 
and the uplands have an easy soil, well adapted to the various pur- 
poses of agriculture. There are an abundance of mill sites, and the 
numerous streams irrigate every portion of the county. This county 
had partial settlements at a very early period of our history, and has 



464 



RICNSSELAER COUNTY. 



long sustained a very considerable population. The whole of the 
county, except the towns of Schaghticoke, Pittstown, Hoosick, and 
north part of Lansingburg and part of Troy, is comprised within the 
Rensselaer wyck patent, leased under the ordinary rent, in farms, at 
ten bushels of wheat the hundred acres. The county contains 13 
towns and the city of Troy. Pop. 60,303. 

Berlin, taken from Petersburg, Stephentown, and Schodack, in 
1806 ; centrally distant from Albany and Troy E. 20 miles. Pop. 
1,794. A few German families settled in " the Hollow," about 1764. 
Berlin and Berlin Centre are small villages. 

Brunswick, taken from Troy in 1807 ; from Albany NE. 12 miles. 
Pop. 3,051. Ramerton and Millville are small villages. 

Grafton, taken from Troy and Petersburg in 1807 ; from Troy 
E. 14 miles. Pop. 2,019. Patroons Mills is a small village. 

Greenbush, taken from Rensselaerwyck in 1792 and 1795. Pop. 
3,701. Bath, Defriestville, and Wynants Kill, are small settlements. 
Greenbush village, on the bank of the Hudson, opposite Albany, was 
incorporated in 1815, and has about 100 dwellings. 




Remains of the Barracks at Greenbush, 1840. 

The United States cantonment, now in ruins, was erected here 
during the late war, on a commanding eminence 2 miles SSE. of 
Albany. It consisted of very extensive wooden barracks for soldiers, 
officers' quarters, &c., &c., calculated for the accommodation in 
winter quarters oi' 5,000 men. 

The annexed account of the execution of a deserter at this place 
during the late war, was written by an officer of the United States 
army. It is shockingly minute in its details. 

*' In 1814, I wns stationed with a detachment of United States troops at Greenbush, in 
the state of New York. One morning several prisoners, confined in the provost guard- 
house, were brougiit out to hear the sentence which a court-martial had annexed to their 
delinquencies read on parade. Their appearance indicated that their lot had already been 
sufficiently hard. Some wore marks of long confinement, and on all, the severity of the 
prison-house had enstamped its impression. They looked dejected at this public exposure, 
and anxious to learn their fate. I had never seen the face of any of them before, and only 
knew that a single one of them had been adjudged to death. Soon as their names were 
called and their sentences announced, I discerned by his agony and gestures the miserable 



RENSSELAER COUNTY. 465 

man on whom that sentence was to fall ; a man in the bloom of youth and the fulness of 
health and vigor. 

" Prompted by feelings of sympathy, I called next morning to see him in prison. There, 
chained by ihe leg to the beam of the guard-house, he was reading the bible, trying to pre- 
pare himself, as he said, for the fatal hour. I learned from him the circumstances of his 
case. He was the father of a family ; having a wife and three young children, thirty or 
forty miles distant from the camp. His crime was desertion, of which he had been three 
times guilty. His only object in leaving the camp, in the last instance, was to visit his wife 
and children. Having seen that all was well with them, it was his intention to return. But 
whatever was his intention, he was a deserter, and as such taken and brought into the 
camp ; manacled, and under the guard of his fellow.soldiers. The time between the sen- 
tence and its execution was brief; the authority in whom alone was vested the power of 
reprieve or pardon, distant. Thus he had no hope, and only requested the attendance of a 
minister of the gospel, and permission to see his wife and children. The first part of his 
request was granted, but whether he was permitted or not to see his family, I do not now 
remember. 

" Dreading the hour of his execution, I resolved, if possible, to avoid being present at the 

scene. But the commander of the post. Col. L , sent me an express order to attend, 

that agreeably to tiie usages of the army I might, in my official capacity of surgeon, see 
the sentence fully executed. 

" The poor fellow was taken from the guard-house to be escorted to the fatal spot. Be. 
fore him was his coffin ; a box of rough pine boards — borne on the shoulders of two men. 
1 The prisoner stood with his arms pinioned, between two' clergymen ; a white cotton gown, 
or winding-sheet, reached to his feet. It was trinmied with black, and had attached to it 
over the place of the real heart, the black image of a heart; the mark at which the execu- 
tioners were to aim. On his head was a cap of white, also trimmed with black. His coun- 
tenance was blanched to the hue of his winding-sheet, and his frame trembled with agony. 
He seemed resolved, however, to suffer like a soldier. Behind him were a number of prison. 
\ ers, confined for various offences ; next to them was a strong guard of soldiers, with fixed 
I bayone's and loaded muskets. My station was in the rear of the whole. 
• " Our procession thus formed, and with much feeling and in low voices on the part of the 
officers, we moved forward with slow and measured steps to the tune of the death march, 
I (Roslin Castle,) played with muffled drums and mourning fifes. The scene was solemn 
I beyond the powers of description. A man in the vigor of life walking to his grave ; to the 
tune of his own death-march, clothed in his burial robes, surrounded by friends assembled 
, to perform the last sad offices of affection, and to weep over him in the last sad hour : no, 
I not by these, but by soldiers with bristling bayonets and loaded muskets, urged by stern 
I command to do the violence of death to a fellow-soldier; as he surveys the multitude, he 
I beholds no look of tenderness, no tear of sensibility ; he hears no plaint of grief; all, all is 
I stern as the iron rigor of the law which decrees his death. 

[ " . . . . Amid reflections like these, we arrived at the place of execution, a large open 
field, in whose centre a heap of earth, freshly thrown up, marked the spot of the deserter's 
grave. On this field the whole force then at the cantonment, amounting to many hundred 
men, was drawn up in the form of a hollow square, with the side beyond the grave vacant. 
The executioners, eight in number, had been drawn by lot. No soldier would volunteer 
for such a duty. Their muskets had been charged by the officer of the day ; seven of them 
with ball, the eighth with powder alone. Thus prepared they were placed together, and 
each executioner takes his choice. Thus each may believe that he has the blank cartridge, 
and therefore has no hand in the death of his brother soldier ; striking indications of the 
nature of the service. 

" The coffin was placed parallel with the grave, and about two feet distant. In the 
intervening space the prisoner was directed to stand. He desired permission to say a word 
to his fellow-soldiers ; and thus standing between his coffin and his grave, warned them 
against desertion, continuing to speak until the officer on duty, with his watch in his hand, 
announced to him in a low voice, ' Two o'clock, your last moment is at hand ; you must 
kneel upon your coffin.' This done, the officer drew down the white cap, so as to cover 
the eyes and most of the face of the prisoner — still continuing to speak in a hurried, loud, 
and agitated voice. The kneeling was the signal for the executioners to advance. They 
had before, to avoid being distinguished by the prisoner, stood intermingled with the soldiers 
who formed the line. They now came forward, marching abreast, and took their stand a 
little to the left, about two rods distant from their living mark. The officer raised his 
sword. At this signal, the executioners took aim. He then gave a blow on a drum which 
was at hand ; the executioners all fired at the same ins'ant. The miserable man, with a 
horrid scream, leaped from the earth, and fell between his coffin and his grave. The ser- 

59 



408 aK.N'isSELAKR COUNTY. 

geant of ihe guard, a moniPiit after, sliot him through the heaii with a musket reserved for 
this purpose in case tlie executioners failed to produce instant death. Tiie sergeant, from 
motives of humanity, held the muzzle of his musket near the head; so near thtit the cap 
took fire; and there the body lay upon the face; the head emitting the mingled fumes of' 
burning cotton and burning hair. O war, dreadful even in thy tenderness ; horrible even 
in iliy compassion ! 

" I was desired to perform my part of the ceremony ; and placing my hand where just 
before the pulse beat full, and the life flowed warm, and finding no symptom of either, I 
afiirnied, he is dead. The line then marched by the body, as it lay upon the earth, the 
head still smoking; that every man might behold for himself the fate of a deserter. 

" Thus I'ar, all had been dreadful indeed, but solenni, as it became the sending of a spirit 
to its dread account; but now the scene changes. 1'he whole band struck up, and with 
uncommon animation, our national air, (Yankee Doodle,) and to its lively measures we 
were hurried back to our parade ground. Having been dismissed, the commander of the 
post sent an invitation to all the officers to meet at his quarters, whither we repaired, and 
were treated to a glass of gin and water. Thus this melancholy tragedy ended iii what 
seemed little better than a farce ; a fair specimen, the former of the dread severity — the 
latter of the moral sensibilities which prevail in the camp." 

HootsicK was originally organized as part of Albany county.. Pop. 
3,540. Hoosick Falls, 24 miles NE. of Troy, is a manufacturing vil- 
lage, containing about 70 or 100 dwellings. The Hoosick river here 
falls 40 feet. Buskirk's bridge, which is partly in Washington 
county. Barker's Mills, and Macnamara, or North Hoosick, are small 
villages. 

Within the limits of this town a portion of the battle of Bennington 
was fought, August IGth, 1777. 

The progress of Burgoyne thoroughly alarmed the American 
states, it being well known that the Americiin forces under Gen. 
Schuyler were not sufficient to prev^ent the capture of Albany, when- 
ever it was reached by the enemy. Instead of thinking of submission, 
the Americans met this alarming crisis with firmness and resolution, 
and great exertions were made to reinforce the army. Gen. Lincoln 
was directed to raise and take the command of the New England 
militia. Gen. Arnold, and Col. Morgan with his riflemen, were de- 
tached to the noi'thern army, and congress elected Gen. Gates as 
commander. 

" While the American nrmy wns thus assuming a more respectable appearance, (Jen. 
Burgoyne was making very slow advances towards Albany. From the 2S:h of .July to the 
15ih of August, (1777,) the British army was continually employed in bringing forward 
batteaux, provisions, and ;nnmunition from Fort George, to the first navigable part of Hud. 
son's river; a distance of not more than 18 miles. The labor was excessive, the Europe, 
ans were but little acquainted with the nuihods of performing it to advantage, and the 
efiecf was in no degree equivalent to the expense of labor and time. With all the cllbrts 
that Burgoyne could nuike, encumbered with his ariillery and bnggage, his labors were 
inadequate to the pinpose of supplying the army with provisions for its daily consinnption, 
and the establishment of the necessary magaziiu^s. And after his utmost exertions for 15 
days, there were not above 4 days' jirovisions in the store, nor above 10 batteaux in Hud- 
son's river. 

" In such circimistanccs the British general foimd that it would be impossible to procure 
sufficient .supplies of provision by the way of Fort George, and determined to replenish his 
own magazines at the expense of those of the Americans. Having received information 
that a large quantity of stores were laid up at Bennington, and guarded only by the militia, 
he formed the design of siu'prising that place ; and was made to believe that as soon as a 
detachment of the royal army should appear in that quarter, it would receive efiectual as- 
sistance from a large body of loyalists, who only waited for the appearance of a sgpport, 
and would in that event come forward and aid the royal cause. Full of these expectations, 
he detached Col. Bauni, a German officer, with a select body of troops, to surprise the 



RENSSELAER COUA'TY. 4G7 

place. His force consisted of about 500 regular troops, some Canadians, and more than 
100 Indians, with two light pieces of artillery. To facilitate their operations, and to be 
ready to take advantage of the success of the detachment, the royal army moved along the 
east bank of Hudson's river, and encamped nearly opposite to Saratoga ; having at the same 
time thrown a bridge of rafts over the river, by which the army passed to that place. With 
a view to support Baum, if it should be found necessary, Lieut. Col. Breyman's corps, con- 
sisting of the Brunswick grenadiers, light infantry and chasseurs, were posted at Battenkill. 

" Gen. Stark having received information that a party of Indians were at Cambridge, 
sent Lieut. Col. Greg, on August the 13th, with a party of 200 men to stop their progress. 
Towards night he was informed by express, that a large body of regulars was in the rear 
of the Indians, and advancing towards Bennington. On this intelligence, Stark drew to- 
gether his brigade, and the militia that were at hand, and sent on to Manchester to Col. 
Warmer to bring on his regiment; he sent expresses at the same time to the neighboring 
miliiia, to join him with the utmost speed. On the morning of the 14th, he marched with 
his troops, and at the distance of 7 miles he met Greg on the retreat, and the enemy within 
a mile of him. Stark drevv up his troops in order of battle ; but the enemy coining in sight, 
hailed upon a very advantageous piece of ground. Baum perceived the Americans were 
too strong to be attacked with his present force, and sent an express to Burgoyne with an 
account of his situation, and to have Breyman march inmiediately to support him. In the 
mean time small parties of the Americans kept up a skirmish with the enemy, killed and 
wounded 30 of iheni, wiih two of their Indian chiefs, without any loss to themselves. The 
ground the Americans had taken was unfavorable for a general action, and Stark retreated 
about a mile and encamped. A council of war was held, and it was agreed to send two 
detachments upon the enemy's rear, while the rest of the troops should make an attack 
upon their front. The next day the weather was rainy, and though it prevented a general 
action, there were frequent skirmishings in small parties, which proved favorable and en- 
couraging to the Americans. 

" On August the IGtli, in the morning. Stark was joined by Col. Symonds and a body 
of militia from Berkshire, and proceeded to attack the enemy, agreeably to the plan which 
had been concerted. Col. Baum in the mean time had entrenched, on an advantageous 
piece of groimd near St. Koicks mills, on a branch of Hoosick river, and rendered his post 
as strong as his circumstances and situation would admit. Col. Nichols was detached with 
200 men to the rear of his left. Col. Herrick, with 300 men to the rear of his right; both 
were to join and then make the attack. Cols. Hubbard and Stickney, with 200 more, were 
ordered on the right, and 100 were advanced towards the front to draw the attention of the 
enemy that way. About 3 o'clock in the afternoon the troops had taken their situati(jn, and 
were ready to commence the action. While Nichols and Herrick were bringing their 
troops together, the Indians were alarmed at the prospect, and pushed off between the two 
corps ; but received a fire as they were passing, by which three of them were killed, and 
two wounded. Nicliols then began the attack, and was followed by all the other divisions; 
those in the front immediately advanced, and in a few miiuites the action became general. 
It lasted about two hours, and was like one continued peal of thunder. Baum made a 
brave defence ; and the German dragoons, after they had expended their anmninition, led 
by their colonel, charged with their swords, but they were soon overpowered. Their works 
were carried on all sides, their two pieces of cannon were taken. Col. Baum himself was 
mortally wounded and taken prisoner, and all his men, except a few who had escaped into 
the woods, were either killed or taken prisoners. Having completed the business by taking 
the whole party, the militia began to disperse, and look out for plunder. But in a few 
minutes Stark received information that a large reinforcement was on their march, and 
within two miles of him. Fortunately at that moment Col. Warner came up with his regi- 
ment from Manchester. This brave and experienced officer commanded a regiment of 
continental troops, which had been raised in Vermont. Mortified that he had not been in 
the former engagement, he instantly led on his men against Breyman, and began the second 
engagement. Stark collected the militia as soon as possible, and pushed on to his assist- 
ance. The action beca'nie general, and the battle continued obstinate on both sides till 
sunset, when the Germans were forced to give vvay, and were pursued till dark. They 
left their two field-pieces behind, and a considerable number were made prisoners. They 
retreated in the best manner they could, improving the advantages of the evening and 
night, to which alone their escape was ascribed. 

" In these actions the Americans took 4 brass field-pieces, 12 brass drums, 250 dragoon 
swords, 4 ammunition wagons, and about 700 prisoners, with their arms and accoutre, 
menls ; — 207 men were found dead upon the spot, the numbers of wounded were unknown. 
The loss of the Americans was but small ; 30 were slain, and about 40 were wounded." 



468 



RENSSELAER COUNTY. 



Lansingburg was taken from Troy and Brunswick in 1807, after- 
ward enlarged by a portion from Sciiaghticoke. Pop. 3,330. Spei- 
gletown and Batestown are small villages, the former 3 miles N. 
from Lansingburg village, and the latter 1 mile S. The annexed 
engraving is from a view taken near the bridge, a short distance 
above the village, connecting it with Waterford. In the extreme 
dis-tance on the right, the bridge over the Hudson at Troy is visible. 




Novtiiwestern view of Lansingburg. 

Lansingburg was incorporated in 180L It is beautifully situated 
on the Hudson, 3 miles N. of Troy, 9 N. from Albany, and 1 S. from 
Waterford. Formerly it was called the " New City," and the ra- 
pidity of its growth at that time excited wonder.* The village is 
regularly laid out with capacious streets in squares of 400 by 260 
feet, and is a place of considerable manufacturing and commercial 
business. There is here 1 Presbyterian, 1 Methodist, 1 Episcopal, 
and 1 Universalist church, an academy in high repute, 2 printing 
offices, a bank, many mercantile stores, &c., and about 400 houses. 
Three of the sprouts of the Mohawk enter tlie Hudson opposite the 
village, and the Cahoos Falls are often distinctly heard in the stillness 
of the night. 

Nassau, originally named Philipstown, and taken from Petersburg, 
Stephentown, and Schodack, in 1806. Pop. 3,237. Nassau, lU 



* This was the rime of the revohitionary period in France. Mr. A Reed, of East Wind, 
sor, Conn., commenced teaching a school in this village in 1793, and continued it for five 
years. He states that about the time Louis XVI. the French king was beheaded, in 1793, 
wheat, which had previously been sold in the village in the early part of the winter for 75 
cents, rose to four dollars a bushel. On the opening of the river in the spring, the price 
fell back to $1.75. Mr. Reed taught school in a gambrol-roof building, which was used 
as the first meeting-house, in the place. The lower story was divided by a swing partition. 
While Mr. R. was here, the Rev. Dr. Lee, of Connecticut, taught the languages in a cham- 
ber above. At this period the minister of the place was the Rev. Jonas Coe, who preach. 
ed alternately at Lansingburg and Troy. 



RENSSELAER COUNTY. 469 

miles SE. of Albany, and East Nassau 16, are considerable villages. 
Brainards Bridge, Alps, and Hoags Corners, are names of post- 
offices. 

''• Petersburg, taken from Stephentown in 1791. Pop. 1,901. Rens- 
selaers Mills, 20 miles E. of Troy, and Petersburg Corners 27, are 
small villages. 

PiTTSTowN, organized in 1788. The first settlements were com- 
menced here in 1650. Pop. 3,785. Pittstown 13, Tomhenick 13 
NE., Johnsonville 19, and Shermans Mills 13 miles from Troy, are 
small villages. 

Sandlake, taken from Greenbush and Berlin in 1812. Pop. 4,305. 
Pocstenkill 8 miles SE., Rensselaer 12, Sand Lake 10, Ulines 7 miles 
from Troy, are small villages. 

ScHAGHTicoKE was Organized in 1788. Pop. 3,389. About the 
year 1600, some Dutch and German families settled on the rich allu- 
vial lands of this town, then occupied by a clan of the Mohawk In- 
dians. Schaghticoke Point, on the Hoosick river, 13 miles NE. from 
Troy, is a large manufacturing village having about 150 dwellings. 
The Valley village, on both sides of the Hoosick, and partly in Pitts- 
town, has about 45 dwellings. 

ScHODACK, taken from Rensselaerwyck in 1795. Pop. 4,125. 
Schodack Landing 9 miles below Albany, Schodack Centre 7 miles 
SE. from Albany, Castleton, and South Schodack, are small settle- 
ments. 

Stephentown, so called from the Christian name of the late pa- 
troon, was organized in 1788. Pop. 2,753. Stephentown Hollow or 
Centre, 21 miles SE. from Troy, North Stephentown 20, and South 
Stephentown 24, are small villages. 

Troy city, seat of justice for the county, lies on the east side of 
the Hudson, 6 miles north of Albany, at the junction of the Hudson 
and Mohawk valleys. There is some reason to believe that its pres- 
ent site was visited by Hudson, the first navigator of Hudson river, 
in 1609. In the record of his voyage, it is stated he "went sounding 
his way above the highlands, till at last the Crescent, (the ship in which 
he made his voyage,) had sailed beyond the city of Hudson, and a 
boat had advanced a little beyond Albany." Probably this boat as- 
cended to the rifts which lay at the northerly part of the city, where 
the ordinary tides spent their force, and the navigation was inter- 
rupted. 

For more than a century after Hudson's voyage, the territory now 
comprising the site of Troy, (although within the limits of the grant 
made to the patroon,) probably remained part of the hunting ground 
of the Mohawk Indians. In 1720, a grant of 490 acres, extending 
along the Hudson between the Poestenkill and Meadow creek, 
comprehending the original allotments on which the city was erected, 
was made in fee by the proprietor of the manor of Rensselaerwyck 
to Derick Van Derheyden, at the small rent of thre'e bushels and three 
pecks of wheat and four fat fowls annually. From the date of the 
grant, and possibly from a period a little earlier, this plain and the 



470 KENSSELAER COUNTY". 

first range of hills adjoining, was possessed by the grantee and his 
descendants, and small portions of it cultivated as a farm.* 

After the revolution, emigrants from New England, seeing the ad- 
vantageous situation of Van Derheyden, as it was then called, in- 
duced the proprietors to lay it out into town lots. At this period 
Lansingburg, tlien called the " New City," was a village of considera- 
ble size and commercial im})ortance ; the city of Albany lay a few 
miles to the south, and had i'or many generations been the centre of 
trade for the entire country around. These circumstances at the 
first appeared unpropitious to the growth of this place. The estab- 
lishment of the Federal government in 1789, and the settlement of 
the " new state" of Vermont, gave an impulse to the spirit of enter- 
prise. The village of Van Derheyden bemg at the head of the nat- 
ural navigation of the Hudson, after some struggle began to outstrip 
the " New City," which had been unwisely located above the rifts. 
The earliest surveys of the three allotments into which the site was 
originally divided, were made between the years 1786 and 1790; 
one or two slight buildings in 1786, and a small number the two years 
following. It is stated that by the spring of 1789, five small stores 
and about a dozen dwelling-houses had been erected. The appella- 
tion of Van Derhey den's Ferry was now changed into the more 
classic name of Troy. 

In 1791, the county of Rensselaer was detached from Albany, and 
Troy was selected as the county seat. In 1793 the first courthouse 
was erected, and the jail the following year. The infiuential men 
among the first settlers were the friends of order, and supporters of 
the institutions of religion. When they were too few to support a 
clergyman, they were accustomed to assemble in a store at the sound 
of a conch-horn, and afterward in a school-house. Here they usu- 
ally listened to a sermon read by Dr. Samuel Gall, or the late Col. 
Pawling, a revolutionary oflicer. In 1791, the inhabitants, too 
few to consult their denominational preferences, by an united effort 
erected a frame for a house of public worship, which was covered 
the following year, and although unfinished, was used as a place for 
public worship. This building became the first edifice of the Pres- 
byterian congregation. The Rev. Dr. Jonas Coe was their first min- 
ister. His services at this period were divided between Troy and 
Lansingburg, his residence being in the latter place. An Episcopal 
church, an edifice of small dimension of brick, was erected in 1804, 
vviiich was enlarged some years afterward, and is now known as 
St. John's church. In 1805, the Baptist congregation erected a house 
of worship in Third-street, which was afterward enlarged. The 

* Mr. Elijah Adams, now (184(}) 77 years of age, who has resided here about 60 years, 
states that when he first knew the Van Derheyden hinds, there were patches or strips with, 
in the present site of the city, knov/n as the corn ffroiiiids of the native Indians. Some, 
time after he had taken up his residence here, a full fjrown bear swam across the Hudson, 
landeil near the upper ferry, and on being pursued ran across the low land among the small 
oaks, and at length ascended a pine tree near the present location of the Rensselaer In- 
stitute, and was there brought to the ground by a shot from his rifle. 



K [".NriSKLAER COUNTV, 



471 



Methodist Episcopal congregation erected their lirst house of wor- 
ship in State-street in 1800. 




Northwestern view of the Troy Female Seminary. 

The Troy Female Seminary, located in this place, holds a high 
rank among the institutions of learning in our country. John H. 
and Sarah L. Willard are the principals, and Nancy Hinsdale the 
vice-principal : there are hesides 21 teachers and officers. The follow- 
ing account and historical sketch has been kindly furnished by an 
individual well acquainted with it. 

The school of which the Troy Seminary is a continuation, was begun in Middlebury, 
Vermont, in 1814, by Mrs. Emma Willard. It there obtained considerable celebrity, and 
the Principal was solicited to remove it to Watertord, in this state. She consented on the 
condition that the most influential gentlemen of that place should unite in carrying before 
the legislature a petition for incorporating and endowing a public institution for females. 
Their approbation of this measure was made to depend on that of De Witt Clinton, then 
governor of the state. On being presented with the plan, he expressed his high approval, 
and introduced the subject into his message. 

In the winter of 1818-19, the petition was, under his auspices, presented to the legisla- 
ture, and for the first time the rights of woman in regard to education, were plead in a 
legislative hall. Among its supporters were Mr. Van Buren, and Mr. John C. Spencer. 
The justice of the claim was acknowledged, an institution on the proposed plan incorpo- 
rated, and a bill for endowment brought in, but the adjournment of the legislature prevent, 
ed its passage. 

In the spring of 1819, the proposed school went into operation in Waterford, in the large 
building now occupied as a hotel, that having been hired for two years. The next winter, 
session of the legislature defeated the hopes which had been excited of an endowment, 
but in the mean time private patronage was abundant. 

In 1821, the school being large, and no place being provided in Waterford for its accom- 
modation, it was removed to Troy, the corporation of that city having voted ^4,000 for a 
building. Since that period, the rents of the building have been made to meet the interest 
and almost all the principal of the moneys expended in its several enlargements and in the 
additions to its grounds. Since 1837 this institution has received from the state a share of 
the literature fund, by which the library, apparatus, &.c., previously furnished by the Prin- 
cipal, have been made more complete. This school has educated at least five thousand 
pupils ; of whom about one tenth have been teachers, and it has furnished Principals for 
many of the most distinguished female schools in every part of the Union. The present 
Principal of this seminary, Mrs. Sarah L. Willard, spent nineteen years in the institution as 
pupil, teacher, and vice-princiijal, before assuming its government. But the larger number of 
the young ladies here educated have married, and are now, many uf them, standing in the 



472 RENSSELAER COUNTY. 

first circles and among the first women of our country in regard to piety and moral worth, 
domestic usefulness, and intellectual and social accomplishments. Several of the pupils 
have been distinguished as authors. About twenty teachers are constantly employed. The 
number of pupils being about two hundred, gives an average of one teacher to ten pupils. 
The objects of education as stated in the original plan are considered to be, first, religious 
and moral , second, hterary ; third, domestic ; and fourth, ornamental. But to obtain these 
ends, the physical and mental powers must be developed and strengthened in due order and 
proportion. Great care has been bestowed on health, and but one death of a pupil, and 
that a sudden one from organic affection of the heart, has occurred. 

The Rensselaer Institute is an excellent institution under the charge 
of Professor Eaton. Many young men are here fitted for the pro- 
fession of civil engineering. The system of teaching is thorough 
and practical. 

The city of Troy is regularly laid out. on a plan similar to that of 
Philadelphia. The principal street is River-street, which extends 
along the Hudson the whole length of the city, and is ornamented 
with many splendid and spacious stores. It is the theatre of a very 
extensive business. The remaining portion of the place generally 
exhibits the quiet aspect of the country. Many of the buildings, both 
public and private, are spacious and elegant. The courthouse, built 
of Sing Sing marble, is a splendid edifice, after the Grecian model. 
St. Paul's church is a noble Gothic edifice, erected at an expense of 
about 50,000 dollars. There are in Troy twelve places of public 
worship — viz, 3 Presbyterian, 2 Episcopal, 2 Methodist, 1 Scotch 
Presbyterian, 1 Roman Catholic, 1 African church, and 2 Friends 
meeting-houses. On the Wynant and Poestens kills, which here 
empty into the Hudson, are several extensive manufacturing estab- 
lishments. The city is abundantly supplied with excellent water from 
the neighboring hills. Hydrants are placed at the corners of the 
streets with hose attached, which in case of fire, as the natural head 
of the water is 75 feet above the city level, supersedes the use of 
fire-engines. Troy is indebted in a great measure for its prosperity 
to its advantageous situation, and the enterprise and industry of her 
inhabitants. She has extensively availed herself of the facilities 
afforded by the river and the Erie and Champlain canals. The tides 
of the Hudson frequently ascend to a dam thrown across the river 
about a mile and a half above the centre of the city. By means of 
a lock, sloop navigation is thus afforded to the village of Waterford. 
Within the last few years Troy has increased rapidly in wealth and 
population. In 1820 her population was 5,268; in 1830, 11,566; in 
1840, 19,373. The Rensselaer and Saratoga railroad, 24 miles to 
Ballston Spa, crosses the Hudson at this place by a bridge 1,600 feet 
in length. 

Eensselaerwyck, or the manor of Eennselaer, includes a very extensive tract on both sides 
of the Hudson, in nearly the centre of wiiich is the city of Albany. It is 24 miles wide 
on the river, and about 42 miles long, east and west. It includes in its area all of Rensse- 
laer county, excepting the towns of Schagiiiicoke, Hoosick, and Pittstown, and the greater 
part of Albany county. The title to this patent is derived from several successive grants 
by the government of Holland, dating as far back as 1641, when the first grant was made 
to Killian Van Rensselaer, who had purchased the native right to the soil, under conditions 
stipulated by the government of Holland. " When this country changed masters, passing 
from the Dutch to the English, again for a short time to the Dutch, and finally again to the 
English, some controversies arose about indemnities, but the private right of the original 






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RENSSELAER COUNTY. 473 

proprietor of the colony of Rensselaerwyck was never questioned. And on the 4th of 
March, 1685, the whole was confirmed by letters patent, under the great seal of the prov. 
ince of New York, by Thomas Dongan, lieutenant-governor of the same. The original 
design of the Dutch government extended only to the founding of colonies in this country 
by citizens of Holland, who should amicably acquire the Indian title to the lands ; and the 
founder of a colony was therefore styled its patroon by the bill of privileges and the deed 
of conveyance, the latter of which was only granted when the native right had been ac- 
quired by purchase." A great portion of the land is permanently leased, and rent annually 
paid in the products of the soil to the patroon at Albany. 



RICHMOND COUNTY. 

Richmond, an original county? was organized November 1, 1683. 
and comprises Staten Island, Shooter's Island, and the islands of 
meadow on the west side ot" Staten Island. It is abolit 14 miles long, 
and its greatest breath is 8 ; mean breadth 5 miles. It is divided 
into 4 towns, all of which were organized in 1788. Pop. 10,985^ 

The higher and naked points of the island, (says Gordon in his Gazetteer,) afford varied 
and delightful prospects. Hence, in a clear day, may be seen the ever-growing city with 
its painted steeples and gilded spires hemmed in by a forest of masts ; the broad bay stud, 
ded with fairy islands, and whitened by the canvass of a hundred ships, overhung by small 
dark clouds, strongly relieved against the deep blue sky, which proceed from the many 
steamboats moving upon the waters, like things of life. Long Island, with its swelling hills 
and richly cultivated farms; the coast of New Jersey in a circular sweep of 40 miles, from 
Paulus Hook to the Neversink hills and Sandy Hook lighthouse ; and last, but not least, the 
wide Atlantic, opening between the Hook and Long Island. From the point at New York 
Bay along the Kills, to a point nearly opposite to Elizabethtown landing, a distance of 5 
miles, the shore has an almost unbroken street, in which neat country seats, and snug boxes 
of the citizens blend with the cottages of farmers, mechanics, fishermen, and watermen, 
who are the permanent inhabitants. This settlement, containing about 400 houses, is 
divided into 3 portions having separate names, viz : Northfield, Factoryville, and New 
Brighton. From landings along the sound, communication may be had almost hourly by 
steamboats with New York. The soil of the island consists of clay and sandy loam, and 
with good husbandry produces fine crops of oats, corn, and grass. Many of the inhabi- 
tants subsist by the fisheries.' The muddy bottom of Staten Island sound produces an 
inexhaustible supply of oysters ; which though not originally of good quality, on being 
transported to the beds in Raritan Bay, soon grow large and acquire an excellent flavor. 
The Raritan Bay affords also excellent clams, and those from the Great Kills are in higk 
repute. The shad and herring fisheries are productive. In a military point of view, the 
island is one of the most important positions on the coast ; its possessor having command 
of New York bay and the adjacent country. It was so deemed by the British, in the 
revolutionary war, and was the first place seized by Sir William Howe, (July 4th, 1776.) 
It was retained by the royal forces during the whole contest. Preparatory to the war of 
1812, there were erected very efficient and extensive fortifications, known as forts Tomp- 
kins, Richmond, and Hudson, at the Narrows, opposite to Fort Fayette, on Long Island. 
These forts completely protect the strait, which is but one mile wide. Upon Signal Hill, 
back of the forts, overlooking the harbor, Sandy Hook, and a great extent of sea, is a tele, 
graph communicating with the city. Staten Island was purchased from the Indians for 
Michael Pauw, one of the directors of the West India Company, together with an exten- 
sive tract in Bergen county in New Jersey, by deed dated August 10, 1630, and the whole 
tract received the name of Pavonia. It was a very desirable spot with the primitive Dutch 
settlers ; and the Indians, who seem never to have considered themselves to lose right of 
possession by sale, and were always willing to convey for a consideration, sold the island, about 
the year 1638, to the Heer Melyn with the permission of Gov. Kieft; and subsequently in 
1657, to the Baron Van Cappellan. Melyn and Van Cappellan, both made improvements ; 
but the colony settled by the latter, was broken up by the savnges from the Raritan, who 
murdered his people. Melyn subsequenfly obiamsd the exclusive title, and claiming to be 

60 



474 



ItlCn.MOND CCnjNTY. 



independent f f New Amsterdam, gnve Gov. S;uyvesant much trouble. On the 14 June, 
1659, he conveyed his rights to the company. This island was again purchased from the 
Indians by Gov. Lovelace, April 18, 1670. 




Sailor's Snug Harbor. 

Castleton, upon the Kills and New York bay, is the northeast- 
ern town of the county. Pop. 4,286, Tompkinsville, beautifully 
situated upon the bay, b\ miles from New York city, and 7 from 
Richmond the county seat, was named after Vice-president Tomp- 
kins, whose seat was upon the summit of the hill. This is the larg- 
est village in the county, and, including Stapleton, contains 3,000 
inhabitants, 500 dwellings, and 1 Episcopal, 1 Dutch Reformed, and 
1 Methodist church. The Quarantine ground for the port of New 
York is situated here. Factoryville is a manufacturing village of 
about 100 dwellings in the NW. portion of the town, upon the Kill 
Van Kull. The far-famed village of New Brighton is situated about 
a mile N. of Tompkinsville, at the NE. point of the island. It was 
founded in 1834, by Thomas E. Davis, Esq., of New York. It is 
intended for residences of business men from the city. Nowhere, 
perhaps, in our country can be found such an assemblage of beauti- 
ful villas, and so favorably located as at this spot, both as regards 
health and beauty of scenery. With this, and the places in the 
vicinity, hourly communication by steamers is kept up with the city. 
The New Brighton Pavilion is in all respects one of the most splen- 
did hotels in the Union — every lodging-room is equal to a gentle- 
man's parlor. There are here superior facilities for sea-bathing. 

The " Sailor's Snug Harbor," is a charitable institution for aged or 
infirm seamen, pleasantly located about a mile W. of New Brighton. 
The buildings are in the Grecian style, with marble fronts ; the main 
building, 65 by 100 feet, has marble pillars in front, and is connected 
by corridors with wings of 53 by 100 feet. Cost of construction 
$115,000. The institution was founded in 1801, by Robert Richard 
Randall of New York, who bequeathed 22 acres for this purpose in 
the. 15th ward, which at that time was of comparatively little value, 



ROCKLAND COUNTY. 475 

but now has increased to an immense estate. Connected with the 
building is a farm of 160 acres. In the yard fronting the edifice is 
an elegant monument to the memory of the founder. No worthy 
apphcant has ever yet been rejected. There are here at present 110 
of the sons of Neptune, many of whom having dropped their last 
anchor, have found a snug port for life. ^ 

NoRTHFiELD is situated upon the NW. end of the island, and has a 
population of 2,747. The principal village, Port Richmond, contains 
1 Baptist, 1 Methodist, and 1 Presbyterian church, and about 75 
dwellings. Chelsea is a small village on Staten Island sound, oppo- 
site the mouth of Rahway river, containing a number of handsome 
dwellings. 

SouTHFiELD, ou the SE. side of the island, has a population of 1,626. 
Richmond, the county seat, 13 miles from New York, is a neat but 
antiquated village, partly located in this town and in Northfield and 
Westfield. It contains 2 churches, 2 hotels, a courthouse and jail, 
and about 45 dwellings. At the Narrows are the forts Tompkins, 
Richmond, and Hudson, and the Signal Hill. At the termination 
of New Dorp lane on the shore is the " great elm," which serves 
as a landmark to the mariner out at sea. The village of Stapleton, 
which is but a continuation of Tompkinsville, is partly on the Castle- 
ton line. Here is located the " Seaman's retreat," a noble stone 
edifice. The heights in this vicinity are studded with numerous 
country seats. 

Westfield, at the SW. extremity of the island, has a population 
of 2,326. Rossville, named after Wm. E. Ross, Esq., is a small vil- 
lage 4j miles N. of Richmond, and contains 32 dwelling-houses, 3 
mercantile stores, and 181 inhabitants. 



ROCKLAND COUNTY. 

Rockland county was taken from Orange in 1798 ; greatest length 
23, greatest breadth 18 miles. It is situated in the extreme southern 
angle of the state, upon the west side of the Hudson. Its surface is 
generally much broken, and in the W. and NW. mountainous. The 
valleys are rich, extensive, and fertile. Dobbs Ferry, Stony Point, 
Fort Clinton, and the Pass, were noted in the annals of the revolu- 
tion. " This county includes all that part of Orange which was set- 
tled when that county was erected, except so much thereof as fell to 
New Jersey, upon the determination of the boundary. Orangetown, 
now in Rockland, was the capital of the county until 1737, when a 
courthouse and jail were built at Goshen, in Orange, and the courts 
were holden at the two places alternately. About 1774, the court- 



476 



ROCKLAND COUNTY. 



house and jail at Orangetown, having been destroyed by fire, and 
part of the village having been transferred to Nevv^ Jersey, public 
buildings were erected at the * New City' then in the precinct of 
Haverstraw." The New York and Erie railroad commences at 
Piermont, and running through Orangetown, Clarkstown, and Rama- 
po, enters Orange county in the town of Monroe. This county is 
divided into 4 towns. Pop. 11,874. 

Clarkstown, taken from Haverstraw in 1791, lies on the W. 
bank of the Hudson, opposite Tappan and Haverstraw bays, 28 miles 
N. of New York. Clarkstown and the New City are small villages, 
each several miles from the Hudson, the latter of which is the county 
seat. Pop. 2,538. 

Haverstraw, the northern town of the county, organized in 1788, 
is situated 36 miles N. of New York, on the Hudson. Pop. 3,348. 
Warren, upon the Hudson, near the S. line, contains about 00 dwell- 
ings. Sampsondale, 2 miles from the river, is a small village. Cald- 
wells Landing is in the northern part of the town. Fort Clinton, of 
the revolution, was in the NE. angle, on the bank of the Hudson, 
the ruins of which are now visible. (For the attack on this fortress 
see p. 422.) Stony Point is at the NW. extremity of Haverstraw 
bay, above which is the D under berg or Thunder Mountain. 




Northern view of Stony Point, on the Hudson. 

The above is a northern view of Stony Point, as seen when pass- 
ing down the Hudson. This place is a little rough promontory on 
the west bank of the Hudson, nearly a mile below the entrance of 
the Highlands, having a lighthouse on its summit. It was a fortified 
during the revolutionary war, and is distinguished by the celebrated 
assault made upon it on the 16th July, 1779, by Gen. Wayne. Ver- 
planck's Point, on the opposite side of the river, is also a place dis- 
tinguished in the history of the revolution. The following is an ac- 
count of the storming of Stony Point as communicated in a letter 
from Gen. Wayne to Washington, dated Stony Point, July 17th, 1779, 

" Sir, — I have the honor to give you a full and particular relation of the reduction of tills 
Point, by the Hght infiinlry under my command. 

" On the 15th instant at twelve o'clock we took up our line of march from Sandy Beach, 



ROCKLAND COUNTY. 477 

distant fourteen miles from this place ; the roads being exceedingly bad and narrow, and 
having to pass over high mountains, through deep morasses, and difficult defiles, we were 
obliged to move in single files the greatest part of the way. At eight o'clock in the even, 
ing the van arrived at Mr. Springsteels, within one mile and a half of the enemy, and 
formed into columns as fast as they came up, agreeably to the order of battle annexed ; 
namely. Colonels Febiger's and Meigs' regiments, with Major Hull's detachment, formed 
the right column ; Colonel Butler's regiment and Major Murfey's two companies the left 
The troops remained in this position until several of the principal officers with myself had 
returned from reconnoitring the works. At half after eleven o'clock, being the hour fixed 
on, the whole moved forward. The van of the right consisted of one hundred and fifty 
volunteers, properly officered, who advanced with unloaded muskets and fixed bayonets, 
under ihe command of Lieutenant-Colonel Fleury ; these were preceded by twenty picked 
men, and a vigilant and brave officer to remove the abatis and other obstructions. The 
van of the left consisted of one hundred volunteers, under the command of Major Stewart, 
with unloaded muskets and fixed bayonets, also preceded by a brave and determined officer, 
with twenty men, for the same purpose as the other. 

" At twelve o'clock the assault was to begin on the right and left flanks of the enemy's 
works, whilst Major Murfey amused them in front ; but a deep morass covering their whole 
front, and at this time overflowed by the tide, together with other obstructions, rendered 
the approaches more difficult than was at first apprehended, so that it was about twenty 
minutes after twelve before the assault began ; previously to which I placed myself at the 
head of Febiger's regiment, or the right column, and gave the troops the most pointed 
orders not to fire on any account, but place their whole dependence on the bayonet, which 
order was literally and faithfully obeyed. Neither the deep morass, the formidable and 
double rows oi ahatis, nor the strong works in front and flank, could damp the ardor of the 
troops, who, in the face of a most tremendous and incessant fire of musketry, and from 
cannon loaded with grape-shot, forced their way at the point of the bayonet through every 
obstacle, both columns meedng in the centre of the enemy's works nearly at the same in- 
stant. Too much praise cannot be given to Lieutenant-colonel Fleury (who struck the 
enemy's standard with his own hand,) and to Major Stewart, who commanded the advanced 
parties, for their brave and prudent conduct. 

'• Colonels Butler, Meigs, and Febiger conducted themselves with that coolness, bravery, 
and perseverance, that will ever insure success. Lieutenant-colonel Hay was wounded in 
the thigh, bravely fighting at the head of his battalion. I should take up too much of your 
excellency's time, were I to particularize every individual who deserves it for his bravery 
on this occasion. I cannot, however, omit Major Lee, to whom I am indebted for frequent 
and very useful intelligence, which contributed much to the success of the enterprise ; and 
it is with the greatest pleasure I acknowledge to you, that I was supported in the attack by 
all the officers and soldiers under my command, to the utmost of my wishes. The officers 
and privates of the artillery exerted themselves in turning the cannon against Verplanck's 
Point, and forced the enemy to cut the cables of their shipping, and run down the river. 

" I should be wanting in gratitude were I to omit mentioning Captain Fishbourn and Mr. 
Archer, my two aids-de-camp, who on every occasion showed the greatest intrepidity, and 
supported me into the works after I received my wound in passing the last abatis. 

" Enclosed are the returns of the killed and wounded of the light infantry, as also of the 
enemy, together with the number of prisoners taken, likewise of the ordnance and stores 
found in the garrison. 

" I forgot to inform your excellency, that previously to my marching, I had drawn Gene, 
ral Muhlenberg into my rear, who, with three hundred men of his brigade, took post on the 
opposite side of the marsh, so as to be in readiness either to support me, or to cover a re. 
treat in case of accident ; and I have no doubt of his faithfully and effectually executing 
cither, had there been any occasion for him. 

" Tiie humanity of our brave soldiery, who scorned to take the lives of a vanquished foe 
calling for mercy, reflects the highest honor on them, and accounts for the few of the enemy 
killed on the occasion. 

" I am not satisfied with the manner in which I have mentioned the conduct of Lieuten- 
ants Gibbons and Knox, the two gentlemen who led the advanced parties of twenty men 
each. Their distinguished bravery deserves the highest commendation. The former be. 
longs to the sixth Pennsylvania regiment, and lost seventeen men killed and wounded in 
the attack ; the latter belongs to the ninth Pennsylvania regiment, and was more fortunate 
in saving his men, though not less exposed. I have the honor to be, &.c. 

" Anthony Wayne." 

*' The number of prisoners taken in the fort was five hundred and forty. three. By Ge- 



478 



ROCKLAND COUNTY. 



neral Wayne's return the number of killed was sixty-three. In Colonel Johnson's official 
account of the transaction, his loss in killed is stated to have been only twenty. It is not 
easy to reconcile this discrepancy. The assailing party had fifteen killed and eighty.three 
wounded. 

" Congress passed resolves highly complimentary to the officers and privates engaged in 
this enterprise, and confirming the promise of reward which had been previously made by 
General Wayne ; and also directing the value of all the military stores taken at Stony 
Point to be ascertained and divided among the troops who were engaged in storming the 
fort. 

" The rewards were as follows : to the first man who entered the enemy's works, five 
hundred dollars ; to the second, four hundred dollars ; to the third, three hundred ; to the 
fourth, two hundred ; to the fifth, one hundred ; being fifteen hundred dollars in the whole. 
The ordnance and other stores were estimated at one hundred and fifty-eight thousand six 
hundred and forty dollars ; which amount was divided among the troops in proportion to 
the pay of the officers and men. 

" Three ditierent medals, emblematical of the action, were struck by order of congress, 
bearing the names respectively of Wayne, Fleury, and Stewart." 

Orangetown was organized in 1788: it is 24 miles N. of New 
York. Pop. 2,771. Tappan 3, and Middletown 6 miles from the 
Hudson, are small villages. Piermont, on the river, is a thriving vil- 
lage, formerly known as the Sloat. The New York and Erie rail- 
road commences here, by a pier in the river, nearly a mile in length. 
About a mile below Piermont, is Dobbs Ferry, a noted place in the 
revolution. Nyack, in the north part of the town, on the Hudson, is 
a flourishing place containing about 50 or 60 dwellings. 




North view of the place where Andre was executed. 

The place where Andre was executed is at the summit of a hill, 
about a quarter of a mile west of Tappan village, and overlooking to 
the east a romantic and fertile valley. A small heap of stones, thrown 
hastily together, with an upright stake and a tew names carved 
rudely upon it, is the only monument to mark the spot of his execu- 
tion and his grave. While in Tappan village, Andre was confined 
in an ancient stone mansion, at present occupied as a tavern by Mr. 
Thomas Wandle. His trial took place in the old Dutch church, 
which was torn down in 1836. A new one has since been erected 
on the same site. Washington's head-quarters were in the antiquated 
stone dwelling now occupied by Mr. Arthur Johnson. 



ROCKLAND COUNTY. 479 

The following account of the execution of Andre, which took place 
Oct. 2, 1780, is given by an eye-witness. 

" I was at that time an artificer in Col. Jeduthan Baldwin's regiment, a part of which 
was stationed within a short distance of the spot where Andre suffered. One of our men, 
(I believe his name was Armstrong.) being one of the oldest and best workmen at his trade 
in the regiment, was selected to make his coffin, which he performed and painted black, 
agreeable to the custom in those times. 

" At this time Andre was confined in what was called a Dutch church, a small stone 
building, with only one door, and closely guarded by six sentinels. When the hour ap. 
pointed for his execution arrived, which I believe was 2 o'clock, P. M., a guard of three 
hundred men were paraded at the place of his confinement. A kind of procession was 
formed by placing the guard in single file on each side of the road. In front were a large 
number of American officers of high rank, on horseback ; these were followed by the 
wagon containing Andre's coffin — then a large number of officers on foot, with Andre in 
their midst. The procession moved slowly up a moderately rising hill, I should think about 
a fourth of a mile to the west. On the top was a field without any enclosure ; in this was 
a very high gallows, made by setting up two poles or crotches, laying a pole on the top. 
The wagon that contained the coffin was drawn directly under the gallows. In a short 
time Andre stepped into the hind end of the wagon — then on his coffin — took off his hat 
and laid it down — then placed his hands upon his hips, and walked very uprightly back 
and forth, as far as the length of his coffin would permit, at the same time casting his eyes 
upon the pole over his head and the whole scenery by which he was surrounded. He was 
dressed in what I should call a complete British uniform ; his coat was of the brightest scar, 
let, faced or trimmed with the most beautiful green ; his under clothes, or vest and breeches, 
were bright buff, very similar to those worn by military officers in Connecticut at the pre- 
sent day ; he had a long and beautiful head of hair, which, agreeable to the fashion, was 
wound with a black riband, and hung down his back. All eyes were upon him, and it is 
not believed that any officer in the British army, placed in his situation, would have appeared 
better than this unfortunate man. 

" Not many minutes after he took his stand upon the coffin, the executioner stepped into 
the wagon with a haJler in his hand, on one end of which was what the soldiers in those 
days called a hangman's knot, which he attempted to put over the head and around the 
neck of Andre, but by a sudden movement of his hand this was prevented. Andre took 
off the handkerchief from his neck, unpinned his shirt collar, and deliberately took the end 
of the halter, put it over his head, and placed the knot directly under his right ear, and 
drew it very snugly to his neck ; he then took from his coal pocket a handkerchief and tied 
it over his eyes. This done, the officer that commanded (his name I have forgotten) spoke 
in rather a loud voice, and said that his arms must be tied. Andre at once pulled down 
the handkerchief he had just tied over his eyes, and drew from his pocket a second one, 
and gave to the executioner, and then replaced his handkerchief. His arms were tied just 
above the elbows, and behind the back : the rope was then made fast to the pole overhead. 
The wagon was very suddenly drawn from under the gallows, which, together with the 
length of rope, gave him a most tremendous swing back and forth, but in a few moments he 
hung entirely still. During the whole transaction he appeared as little daunted as Mr. John 
Rogers, when he was about to be burnt at the stake ; but his countenance was rather pale. 
He remained hanging, I should think, from 20 to 30 minutes, and during that time the 
chambers of death were never stiller than the multitude by which he was surrounded. 
Orders were given to cut the rope, and take him down without letting him fall ; this was 
done, and his body carefully laid on the ground. — Shortly after, the guard was withdrawn 
and spectators were permitted to come forward to view the corpse, but the crowd was so 
great that it was some time before I could get an opportunity. When I was able to do 
this, his coat, vest, and breeches were taken off, and his body laid in the coffin, covered by 
some under clothes. The top of the coffin was not put on. I viewed the corpse more care- 
fully than I had ever done that of any human being before. His head was very much on 
one side, in consequence of the manner in which the halter drew upon his neck. His face 
appeared to be greatly swollen and very black, much resembling a high degree of mortifi. 
cation ; it was indeed a shocking sight to behold. There was at this time standing at the 
foot of the coffin, two young men of uncommon short stature — I should think not more 
than four feet high. Their dress was the most gaudy that I ever beheld. One of them had 
the clothes just taken from Andre hanging on his arm. I took particular pains to learn who 
they were, and was informed that they were his servants, sent up from New York to take 
care of his clothes, but what other business I did not learn. 

" I now turned to take a view of the executioner, who was still standing by one of the 



480 ROCKLAND COUNTY. 

posts of the gallows. I walked nigh enough to him to have laid my hand upon his shoulder, 
and looked him directly in his face. He appeared to be about twenty.five years of age, his 
beard of two or three week's growth, and his whole face covered with what appeared to 
me to be blacking taken from the outside of a greasy pot. A more frightful looking being 
I never beheld — his whole countenance bespoke hiin to be a fit instrument for the business 
he had been doing. Wishing to see the closing of the whole business, I remained upon 
the spot until scarce twenty persons were left, but the coffin was still beside the grave, 
which had previously been dug. I now returned to my tent, with my mind deeply imbued 
with the shocking scene I had been called to witness." 

In August, 1831, the remains of Andre were disinterred and con- 
veyed to London. The annexed narration of this event, is extracted 
from the account given by the British consul, J. Buchanan, Esq., to 
whom this duty was intrusted by the Duke of York. 

" My next step was to proceed to Tappan, distant from this city [New York] 

twenty-four miles. Thither I went, accompanied by Mr. Moore, his majesty's agent for 
packets. Upon reaching the village, which does not contain above fifty or sixty houses, 
the first we inquired at proved to be the very house in which the major had been confined 
while a prisoner there, kept by one Dupuy, who was also postmaster, who took us to 
view the room which had been used as his prison. Excited as we were, it would be diffi- 
cult to describe our feelings on entering this little chamber ; it was then used as a milk 
and store room — otherwise unaltered from the period of his confinement — about twelve feet 
by eight, with one window looking into a garden, the view extending to the hill, and di. 
rectly to the spot on which he suffered, as the landlord pointed out from the window, while 
in the room, the trees growing at the place where he was buried. 

" Having inquired for the owner of the field, I waited on the Rev. Mr. Demarat, a 
minister residing in Tappan, to whom I explained the object of my visit, who gener- 
ously expressed his satisfaction at the honor, ' which at length,' to use his words, ' was in- 
tended the memory of Major Andre,' and assured me that every facility should be afforded 
by him. Whereupon we all proceeded to examine the grave, attended by many of the in- 
habitants, who by this time had become acquainted with the cause of our visit; and it was 
truly gratifying to us, as it was honorable to them, that all were loud in the expressions of 
their gratification on this occasion. 

" We proceeded up a narrow lane, or broken road, with trees at each side, which ob- 
Bcured the place where he suffered, until we came to the opening into the field, which at 
once led to an elevated spot on the hill. On reaching the mount, we found it commanded 
a view of the surrounding country for miles. General Washington's head-quarters, and the 
house in which he resided, was distant about a mile and a half or two miles, but fully in 
view. The army lay encamped chiefly also in view of the place, and must necessarily 
have witnessed the catastrophe. The field, as well as I could judge, contained from eight 
to ten acres, and was cultivated ; but around the grave the plough had not approached nearer 
than three or four yards, that space being covered with loose stones thrown upon and 
around the grave, which was only indicated by two cedar trees about ten feet high. A 
small peach tree had also been placed at the head of the grave, by the kindly feeling of a 
lady in the neighborhood. 

" Doubts were expressed by many who attended, that the body had been secretly carried 
to England, and not a few believed we should not find the remains ; but their surmises 

were set aside by the more general testimony of the community Arriving at Tap. 

pan by ten o'clock, A. M., though I was not expected until the following Tuesday, as I 
had fixed, yet a number of persons soon assembled, some of whom betrayed symptoms of 
displeasure at the proceeding, arising from the observations of sonie of the public journals, 
which asserted ' that any honor paid Major Andre's remains was casting imputation on 
General Washington, and the officers who tried him.' As these characters were of the 
lowest cast, and their observations were condemned by every respectable person in the 
village, I yet deemed it prudent, while the worthy pastor was preparing his men to open 
the grave, to resort to a mode of argument, the only one I had time or inclination to be- 
stow upon them, in which I was sure to find the landlord a powerful auxiliary. I there- 
fore stated to these noisy patriots, that I wished to follow a custom not unfrequent in Ire- 
land, from whence I came, namely, of taking some spirits before proceeding to a grave. 
The landlord approved the Irish practice, and accordingly supplied abundance of liquor, so 
that in a short time. General Washington, Major Andre, and the object of my visit, were 
forgotten by diem, and I was left at perfect liberty, with the respectable inhabitants of the 



ROCKLAND COUNTV. 481 

place, to proceed to the exhumation, leaving the landlord to supply the guests, a duty 
which he faithfully performed, to my entire satisfaction. 

" At twelve o'clock, quite an unexpected crowd assembled at the grave, — as our pro- 
ceeding up the hill was seen by the inhabitants all around. l"he day was unusually fine ; 
a number of ladies, and many aged matrons who witnessed his fall, — who had seen his 
person, — who had mingled tears with his sufferings, — attended, and were loud in their 
praises of the prince, for thus at length honoring one who still lived in their recollection 
with unsubdued sympathy. The laborers proceeded with diligence, yet cauiion. Surmises 
about the body having been removed were revived, and it would be difficult to imagine any 
event which could convey a degree of more intense excitement. 

" As soon as the stones were cleared away, and the grave was found, not a tongue 
moved amongst the multitude, — breathless anxiety was depicted in every countenance. 
• When, at length, one of the men cried out he had touched the coffin, so great was the en- 
thusiasm at this moment, that I found it necessary to call in the aid of several of the ladies 
to form an enlarged circle, so that all could see the operation ; which being effected, the 
men proceeded with the greatest caution, and the clay was removed with the hands, as we 
soon discovered the lid of the coffin was broken in the centre. With great care the broken 
lid was removed, and there to our view lay the bones of the brave Andre, in perfect order. 
I, among others, for the first time discovered that he had been a small man ; this observa- 
tion I made from the skeleton, which was confirmed by some then present. The roots of 
the small peach tree had completely surrounded the skull like a net. After allowing all 
the people to pass round in regular order, and view the remains as they lay, which very 
many did with unfeigned tears and lamentation, the bones were carefully removed, and 
placed in the sarcophagus, (the circle having been again formed ;) after which I descended 
into the coffin, which was not more than three feet below the surface, and with my own 
hands raked the dust together, to ascertain whether he had been buried in his regimentals 
or not, as it was rumored among the assemblage that he was stripped ; for, if buried in his 
regimentals, I expected to find the buttons of his clothes, which would have disproved the 
rumor ;* but I did not find a single button, nor any article save a string of leather that had 
tied his hair, in perfect preservation, coiled and tied as it had been on his hair at the time. 
This string I forwarded to his sister in England. I examined the dust of the coffin so 
minutely (as the quantity would not fill a quart) that no mistake could have arisen in the 
examination. Let no unworthy motive be attributed to me for recording this fact ; I state 
it as one which I was anxious to ascertain for the reason given. Having placed the re- 
mains in the sarcophagus, it was borne amidst the silent and unbought regret of the numer. 
ous assemblage, and deposited in the worthy pastor's house, with the intention ol removing 
it to his majesty's packet, in New York city, on the Tuesday following. 

" As soon as the removal of the sarcophagus to the packet was known in this city, it wjts 
not only honorable to the feelings of the citizens, but cheering to iiiy mind, depressed as it 
had been, to find the sentiments which prevailed. Ladies sent me flowers ; others, various 
emblematic devices, garlands, &c., to decorate the remains of the 'lamented and beloved 
Andre.' A beautiful and ornamented myrtle among those sent, I forwarded with the sar- 
cophagus to Halifax, where Lieut. General Sir James Kempt, governor of Nova Scotia, 
caused every proper mark of respect to be paid to the remains. From thence they reached 
London, and were deposited near the monument which had been erected to his memory 
in the Abbey, and a marble slab placed at the foot of the monument, on which is set forth 
their removal by the order of his royal highness the Duke of York. 

"Having represented to his royal highness the generous conduct of the Reverend Mr. 
Demarat, I recommended that his royal highness should convey to him a snuff-box, made 
out of one of the trees which grew at the grave, which I sent home. But my suggestion 
was far outdone by the princely munificence of his royal highness, who ordered a box to 
be made out of the tree, and lined with gold, with an inscription, 'From his Royal High- 
ness the Duke of York, to the Rev. Mr. Demarat.' Whilst speaking of this act of liberality, 
I was unexpectedly honored with a silver inkstand, with the following inscription :— ' The 
surviving sisters of Major Andre to James Buchanan, Esq., his Majesty's Consul, Newr 
York.' They also sent a silver cup, with a suitable inscription, to Mr. Demarat. I need 
not add, that I cherish this inkstand, (which I am now using,) and shall bequeath it to my 
children as a memorial which I prize with no ordinary feehng. 

* It has since been ascertained, from an American officer present at the burial, that the 
regimentals of Major Andre were given to his servants, after his execution. This statement 
has satisfied Mr. Buchanan, and will account for the absence of any vestiges in his tomb. 

61 



482 ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

" I oniiUecl to mention, that I had the peach tree which had been planted on the grave, 
(the roots of which had surrounded the siiull, as set forth,) taken up with great care, with 
as much of the clay as it was possible to preserve around the roots, and brought it to my 
garden in New York, where my daughters attended it with almost pious solicitude, shading 
it during the heat of the day, watering it in the cool of the evening, in the hope of pieserv- 
ing it to send to England. Had it reached his sisters, they would no doubt have regarded 
it as another Minerva ; for, though it did not spring out of, yet it was nourished by their 
beloved brother's head. 

" I have only to add, that, through the kind interference of my brother consul at Phila- 
delphia, I obtained Major Andre's watch, which he had to part with when a prisoner 
during the early part of the war. This watch I sent to England lately ; so that I believe 
every vestige connected with the subject of this narrative has been sent to the laud of his 
birth, in the service of which his life was sacrificed." 

Ramapo, originally named New Hempstead, was taken from Haver- 
straw in 1791 ; centrally distant from New York 33 miles. The 
manufacturing village of Ramapo Works is situated in the Pass, 
which during the revolution was fortified. It is 13 miles W. from 
New City, the county seat, and contains 1 Presbyterian church and 80 
dwellings. The names of the post-offices in this town are Ramapo, 
Scotland, and West Hempstead. Pop 3,217. 



ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

St. Lawrence county was taken from Oneida in 1802; distant 
from New York 350, from Albany NW. 206 miles. Greatest length 
on the St. Lawrence river, which bounds it on the N., 66 miles ; 
greatest breadth 64. This county is larger by 1,000 square miles 
than any other in the state. That portion of it bordering upon the 
St. Lawrence, and extending 30 or 40 miles into the country, is 
agreeably diversified ; M^aving in gentle swells and broad valleys, 
with extensive tracts of champaign. The soil is warm, rich, and 
productive, and equal to any of the uplands of the state. The south- 
eastern part is broken and mountainous. These mountains abound 
with fine iron ore. The county is comparatively unsettled, but is 
now filling up rapidly. Since 1820, the population has more than 
trebled. This county extends 75 miles along the St. Lawrence. 
The many large streams, with their branches, furnish some internal 
navigation, with superabundance of hydraulic power. The St. Law- 
rence has a good sloop navigation from Lake Ontario to Ogdensburg. 
From Ogdensburg to Montreal, the navigation is dangerous on ac- 
count of the rapids. This river is studded with numberless islands, 
rendering the scenery highly picturesque and beautiful. Wheat is 
raised upon the new lands, but there is danger of its being winter- 
killed in the long and almost unmitigated frosts. Rye, grass, and all 
the summer crops flourish luxuriantly ; and it is obvious that the 
great source of wealth here will be found in grass farming and the 
culture of sheep. The county is divided into 25 towns. Pop. 
66,676. 



ST. LAWEENCE COUNTY. 



483 



Brasher, taken from Massena in 1805 ; from Albany 250, and from 
Canton centrally distant NE, 39 miles. Pop. 2,118. Upon the forks 
of the St. Regis and North Deer rivers is the small post village of 
Helena, in the vicinity of which, on these streams, there is considera- 
ble hydraulic power. 

Canton was oi'ganized in 1805 ; from Albany 206 miles. Pop. 
3,464. A natural canal, 6 miles long, and from 30 to 100 yards wide, 
connects in this town the Grasse with the Oswegatchie river. The 
" high falls" of the Grasse river are in the south part of the town, and 




Western view of Canton. 

near the northwest corner the falls of the Oswegatchie. The village 
of Canton, 18 miles from Ogdensburg, on the Grasse river, was made 
the county seat in 1828, previous to which time the courts wei'e 
holden at Ogdensburg. The village contains the county buildings, an 
academy, 5 churches — 1 Presbyterian, 1 Episcopal, 2 Methodist, 1 
Baptist and Universalist united, called the Union church — and about 
150 dwellings. This village was originally called " Foot's Falls," from 
Mr. Stillman Foot, who came here in the winter of 1799, and bought 
a mile square, comprising in its limits the site of the village. He 
erected a saw and a grist mill upon the ground now occupied by a 
saw-miJl upon the west bank of the river. He was accompanied by 
George Foot, Jr., Amos Jones, and Medad Moody, all with their 
families, and originally from Middlebury, Yt. The Presbyterian, the 
first church erected here, was built in 1826. Mr. George Foot, the 
father of Stillman, was the first person who died in this town. His 
death occurred in 1800, and as there were no boards from which to 
construct a cofHn, the body was wrapt in a blanket, enclosed in 
spruce bark, and buried. 

De Kalb, on the Oswegatchie river, taken from Oswegatchie in 
1806; from Albany 193 miles. Pop. 1,530. This town was pur- 
chased in 1803, by the late Judge Cooper of Cooperstown, Otsego 



484 ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY. 

county, and was settled by emigrants from Connecticut and Vermont. 
De Kalb village, formerly Cooper's village, 15 miles SE. from Og- 
densburg, and Richville, are both small settlements. 

De Peyster w^as taken from De Kalb and Osw^egatchie in 1825; 
from Ogdensburg centrally distant S. 9 miles, rop. 1,032. De 
Peyster is a small settlement. 

Edwards, taken from Fowler in 1827; centrally distant SE. from 
Ogdensburg 30 miles. Pop. 956. Edwardsville and South Edwards 
are small settlements. 

Fowler, taken from Rossie and Russel in 1816; from Albany 106 
miles, comprising townships Nos. 7 and 1 1 of Great Tract No. 3 of 
Macomb's purchase. Centrally distant about 30 miles S. of Ogdens- 
burg. Shingle Creek, Little York, and Fowlersville, are the names 
of the post-otfices. Pop. 1,752. 

GouvERNEUR, named alter Gouverneur Morris, taken from Oswe- 
gatchie in 1810; from Albany 180, from Ogdensburg centrally dis- 
tant S. 25 miles. Pop. 2,529. " One of the ancient Indian works of 
fortification is in this town, on a farm of now or late Capt. Washburn, 
consisting of an embankment enclosing three acres, in which there 
are some remains of rude sculpture." Gouverneur is a small and 
pleasant village, and contains 2 churches and a flourishing academy. 
Washburnville is the name of a post-office. 

Hammond, taken from Rossie and Morristown in 1827; from Al- 
bany 184, from Ogdensburg centrally distant SW. 22 miles. Ham- 
mond and South Hammond are small settlements. Pop. 1,845. 

Heumon, originally named Depau, taken from Edwards and De 
Kalb in 1830; from Albany 180, centrally distant from Ogdensburg 
SE. 23 miles. Depauville is a small post village. Pop. 1,271. 

Hopkinton was organized in 1805. Pop. 1,149. Hopkinton, on 
Lyd brook, 234 miles from Albany, and 25 E. from Canton, is a small 
village. Port Jackson is a small settlement. 

Lawrence, taken from Hopkinton and Brasher in 1828 ; from Al- 
bany 232, centrally distant E. from Ogdensburg 50 miles. Lawrence- 
ville and Nicholville are small settlements. Pop. 1,835. 

Lisbon, organized in 1801 ; from Albany 211 miles. Pop. 3,508. 
On Stoney Island, in the St. Lawrence, a strong fort was built by 
the French, but was destroyed by Gen. Amherst in 1760. Three 
miles below Ogdensburg in this town was an Indian village of the 
Oswegatchie tribe, now in ruins. Rensselaerburg, formerly called 
Red Mills, on the St. Lawrence, is a considerable manufacturing 
village. 

Louisville, taken from Massena in 1810; from Albany 231, cen- 
trally distant from Ogdensburg NE. 22 miles. Pop. 1,687. The bat- 
tle at Williamsburg, in Canada, was fought opposite here, Nov. 11th, 
1813. The town was settled in 1803, by eastern emigrants. Louis- 
ville post-office is on Grasse river. Churchville is a small settlement 
on the St. Lawrence. 

Madrid, organized in 1802; from Albany 227, from Canton N. 
15 miles. Pop. 4,510. This town belonged to Messrs. I. Wadding- 



ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY. 485 

ton, D. A. Ogden, and T. L. Ogden, Waddington village, on the river 
St. Lawrence, 20 miles N. of Canton, has 8 mercantile stores, and 
800 inhabitants. Columbiaville is a small village on the Grasse 
river. 

Matildaville, recently formed ; from Canton SE. centrally dis- 
tant 17 miles. Matildaville is a small village. 

Massena, organized in 1802 ; from Albany 238, centrally distant 
from Ogdensburg NE. 36 miles. Massena is a small village, and 
Massena Point a hamlet. Pop. 2,726. 

MoRRisTowN, taken from Oswegatchie in 1821 ; NW. from Albany 
190. Black Lake extends centrally across the town. Pop. 2,853. 
Morristown, on the St. Lawrence, 10 miles SW. from Ogdensburg, 
is a small but beautifully situated village, 

Norfolk was taken from Louisville in 1823 ; from Ogdensburg E. 
26 miles. Pop. 1,132. There are two small villages on the Racket 
river in this town. 

Oswegatchie was organized in 1802, and is from Albany 200 
miles. Pop. 5,719. The importance of this spot seems to have been 
discovered at an early day, the French having built a fort here at 
quite a remote period. On the maps published by them 100 years 
since, it is called Fort Presentation, afterward named Oswegatchie. 
It was situated either on or near the site of the I'uins now standing, 
on the west bank of the river, near its mouth. Previous to 1796, 
there was not much of any settlement, when Judge Nathan Ford, an 
enterprising individual, from New Jersey, settled in the place. The 
British had had a garrison here, and the military works, then in a 
ruinous condition, were taken possession of by him in behalf of the 
proprietors. They consisted of 2 stone buildings of 2 stories, a bomb 
proof, a row of wooden barracks, and three or four other wooden 
structures. Ford gave a new spring to the settlement, and was soon 
followed by many New Englanders. The party who emigrated 
with him hired a Canadian batteaux, sailed up the Mohawk into the 
Wood creek, then down the Oswego river into Lake Ontario, and 
finally landed at the mouth of the Oswegatchie. Thomas Lee, now 
at an advanced age, (1840,) is the only person living of the party. 

At this period there was a settlement of Indians at Indian Point, 
4 miles down the St. Lawrence. They were very jealous of the 
judge, and made several attempts to drive him off, which would have 
succeeded had he not been a man of more than ordinary resolution. 
One night a party of them came to his house, built a fire in the centre 
of the floor, mastered his men, and were in the act of placing one of 
them on the fire, when the judge attacked them with a billet of wood, 
and being seconded by some of his men, was enabled to drive them 
off. The first frame building, a dwelling, was erected near where 
the Eagle Tavern now stands. 

Ogdensburg, the port of this town, has a population of 2,555. It 
is 204 miles N. from Albany, 60 below Kingston, 130 from Montreal, 
120 W. from Plattsburgh, 63 NE. from Sacketts Harbor, and 18 
from Canton. This was formerly the county seat, but it has been re- 



486 



ST. LAWRENCE COUNTV. 




View of Ogdenshurg. 

moved to Canton. The above view w^as taken on the bank of the Os we- 
gatchie river, near the ruins of the old barracks. The steeple seen on 
the left is that of the Presbyterian church ; the one on the extreme 
right the old courthouse ; the academy is next to it ; and the square 
steeple is that of the Episcopal denomination. The first religious 
society organized v^^as the Presbyterian ; they held their meetings, as 
far back as 1811, in the old courthouse. In 1819, they erected their 
first church, a few rods southwest of where the present stone church 
now stands. There are here 1 Baptist, 1 Methodist, 1 Episcopal, 1 
Roman CathoUc, and 1 Presbyterian church, besides a society of 
Unitarians. 

The proximity of the town to the Canada line made it an import- 
ant place during the late war, and the scene of several minor military 
operations. The following is extracted from Thompson's History 
of the Late War. 

In retaliation for a daring exploit performed by Capt. Forsyth of the rifle regiment, in the 
destruction of an immense quantity of stores, &c., collected at the small village of Ganano. 
que, in the town of Leeds, in Canada, " the enemy determined on attacking and destroy, 
ing the town of Ogdenshurg. Opposite to this is situated the Canadian villeige of Prescott, 
before which the British had a strong line of breastworks. On the 2d of October, 1812, 
they opened a heavy cannonading on the town from their batteries, and continued to bom- 
bard it with little intermission until the night of the 3d : one or two buildings only were 
injured. On Sunday, the 4th, having prepared forty boats, with from ten to fifteen armed 
men in each, they advanced with six pieces of artillery, to storm the town. General Brown 
commanded at Ogdenshurg in person, and when the enemy had advanced within a short 
distance, he ordered his troops to open a warm tire upon them. The British, nevertheless, 
steadily approached the shore, and kept up their fire for two hours ; during which, they sus. 
tained the galling fire of the Americans, until one of their boats was taken, and two others 
80 shattered, that their crews were obliged to abandon them ; they then relinquished the 
assault and fled to Prescott. There has been no engagement, perhaps, wliich exhibited 
more gallantry on both sides. In this attack. Gen. Brown had under his command about 
400 men, the British 1000." 

The annexed account of the taking of this place on the 21st of 
February, 1813, is extracted from the same source as the above. 



8T. LAWRENCE COUNTY. 487 

" The movements of the enemy at Prescott were indicative of an intention to attack Og 
densburg. Colonel Benedict was therefore induced to call out his regiment of militia, and 
arrangements were immediately made for the defence of the place. On the 21st of Febru. 
ary, the enemy appeared before it, with a force of twelve hundred men, and succeeded in 
driving out Captain Forsyth and his troops. The British attacked in two columns, of six 
hundred men each, at 8 o'clock in the morning, and were commanded by Capt. M'Donnell 
of the Glengary light infantry, and Colonel Fraser of the Canadian militia. The American 
riflemen and militia received them with firmness, and contended for the ground upwards 
of an hour ; when the superiority of numbers compelled them to abandon it, and to retreat 
to Black Lake, nearly nine miles from Ogdensburg, after losing twenty men in killed and 
wounded. The loss of the enemy, from the deliberate coolness with which the riflemen 
fired, was reputed to have been thrice that number. The British account, which claimed 
the capture of immense stores, none of which had ever been deposited there, admitted the 
loss of five distinguished officers. In consequence of this affair, a message was sent by the 
commandant of Fort George, to Colonel M'Feely, the commandant of Fort Niagara, in- 
forming him that a salute would be fired the next day in honor of the capture of the Ameri- 
can village. Colonel M'Feely having received inteUigence in the course of the same even- 
ing, of the capture of his majesty's frigate the Java, returned the message to the British 
commandant, by communicating to him his intention of firing a salute, at the same hour 
from Fort Niagara, in celebration of this brilliant event." 

The following additional particulars respecting the taking of Og- 
densburg were obtained by personal conversation with a resident at 
that time. The British landed in the northeast part of the village, near 
some barracks occupied by a detachment of militia under Captain 
Lytle, which he evacuated and then joined Col. Forsyth at the fort. 
The enemy marched up through Ford-street, and when the Ameri- 
cans had abandoned the fort, they crossed over on the ice opposite 
to the Eagle Hotel. Besides the public stores destroyed by them, 
they took away a large quantity of provisions, &c., private property, 
which they were much in need of, but for which they afterward paid 
full price. A barn is now standing on the SE. side of Ford-street, 
near the corner of Water-street, where holes made by grape shot 
fired from the fort are still to be seen. The Glengarian regiment, 
which was in the attack, was quite celebrated during the military 
operations on the frontier. This corps were from the county of 
Glengary, in Upper Canada. Their religion was Catholic, and they 
were the descendants of Scotch Highlanders. 

The following is a view of Windmill Point and ruins in its vicinity. 
It is memorable as being the spot, where, during the recent struggle 
in Canada, a small body of men, under the unfortunate Van Schoultz, 
gallantly defended themselves against an overpowering force of Brit- 
ish and Canadians. The following account of this affair, usually termed 
the " Battle of Prescott," is principally drawn from a work recently 
published by E. A. Theller, Esq., and entitled Canada in 1837-8. 

Early in November, 1838, the patriots, (so called,) who had secretly rallied in clubs in 
and about Syracuse, Oswego, Sacketts Harbor, Watertown, Ogdensburg, French creek, 
and at other points on or near the American line, began to exhibit an intenfion of making a 
fresh demonstration at some point in Upper Canada. About the 10th, two schooners were 
noticed as being freighted from canal boats, which had come up the Oswego canal under 
suspicious circumstances, and to sail out of the harbor in a northern direction. On the 12th, 
the steamboat United States, which had been detained in port by a heavy gale, sailed for 
Sacketts Harbor. Here she took aboard about 250 patriots. The two schooners spoken 
of, were next discovered by the United States, lying in the river St. Lawrence ; when 
Capt. Van Cleve complied with the request of a passenger of respectable appearance, to 
take them in tow ; saying they were loaded with merchandise for Ogdensburg, which he 



488 



ST. LAVVRENCK COUNTY. 




View of Windmill Foint, Prcscott, U. C* 

was desirous of getting into port the next morning. Accordingly the schooners were 
lashed one each side of the steamer. The boxes and barrels on their decks, with just men 
enough in sight to navigate them, exhibited no evidence of their being other than repre- 
sented by the passenger. The captain was soon undeceived, by armed men climbing from 
the schooners on to his boat, to the number of some 200, and he determined to lay at Mor- 
ristown, 10 miles above Ogdensburg, and give notice to the authorities. On arriving at that 
neighborhood, the patriots, after transferring about 100 of the boat's passengers, unfastened 
their vessels, and were found the next morning at anchor in the river, between Ogdensburg 
and Prescott, filled with armed men. Both towns were now the scene of excitement ; for 
it was evident that Fort Wellington was the point of attack, and both shores were soon 
thronged with citizens. The Experiment, a British armed steamboat, was lying at the 
Prescott wharf, and by this time the United States had arrived at Ogdensburg, On her 
arrival, the people, with loud cheers, rushed on board and went to the relief of one of the 
schooners which by accident had got aground on the shoal in the river. Not succeeding in 
reaching her, they returned to the boat for a longer hawser. As she went out again, the 
Experiment came out and fired two shots, but without effect ; and she passed down the 
river about a mile to Windmill Point, to the other schooner, which had succeeded in land- 
ing her forces, and was returning to take off the men from the grounded vessel. The Ex- 
periment followed her, and when the United States was covering her on her way up, kept 
up an irregular fire upon both, without effect. The United States having seen the schooner 
she was protecting anchored under the Ogdensburg shore, returned again to Windmill 
Point, where William .Johnson with small boats landed 110 men. Meantime the American 
steam ferry-boat, Paul Pry, ran over to the stranded vessel, and hauled her off under a brisk 
fire from the Experiment, which the former returned with small-arms, killing 7 of the Ex- 
periment's men, but losing none. The United States was now returning, and again encoun- 
tered the fire of the Experiment, breaking glass lights and doing other damage. Those who 
had remained after the disembarkation, about 25 in number, stood upon the promenade 
deck and cheered the discharges as they came. During this, a shot passing through the 
wheel-house, killed Mr. Solomon Foster, a young man, the helmsman of the boat. As the 
United Slates now went into port, she was surrendered to her owners, and immediately 
seized by the United States authorities, which completed the forenoon's operations. 

" Commodore ' Bill .Tohnson' who had come on to Ogdensburg on the return of the 
United States, addressed ' the patriots' present, urging and beseeching them to go with him, 
and join those who had crossed. He succeeded in crossing with some, in one of the 
schooners, at two or three difi'erent times ; whilst most of the afternoon and evening was 
occupied at Windmill Point, by the patriots, fortifying their position, and preparing for the 
contest. They had taken possession of the windmill, and other large stone buildings, to the 
number of about 200, which were increased by accessions from the small boats crossing 
over in the evening. It was seen that at Fort Wellington the British were also engaged 
in making preparations ; but towards night there was scarcely a living soul seen in the 
streets of Prescott. There was no fighting that night. During the evening the steamboat 



* The authors are indebted for the above view to Mr. Ellis, artist, of Ogdensburg. 



ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY. 489 

Telegraph, with Col. Worth, of the United States army, had arrived, accompanied by two 
companies of United States troops, and by Mr. Ganow, a United States marshal, who im- 
mediately took into custody all the craft which had been employed by the patriots, including 
the United States, the two schooners, and the Paul Pry ; and made effectual arrangements 
to cut off all further supplies of men, arms or provisions from the patriot camp, after which, 
all remained quiet during the night, except the report of cannon at long intervals. Early on 
the morning of the 13th, the British armed steamers Cobourg and Traveller, had arrived at 
Prescott with troops ; and at about 7 o'clock, they, together with the Experiment, opened 
a discharge of cannon, and commenced throwing bombs at the patriots at the windmill, 
who discharged field-pieces from their battery on shore in return. At about 8 o'clock, a 
line of fire blazed along the summit of the hill, in the rear of the windmill, for about 80 or 
a 100 rods, and the crack of the rifles and muskets made one continuous roar. It appears 
that by the time the firing commenced in the morning, there were but 180 of those who 
had crossed left at Windmill Point ; and that when they were attacked by land, in rear of 
their position, some 52 of these fled, leaving only 128 to face from 600 to 800 British regu. 
lars and volunteers. After a fight of about an hour, according to Theiler's account, the 
British were driven back into their fort with a loss it is supposed of about 100 killed and 
many wounded. The patriots lost 5 men and 13 wounded. On the morning of the 14th 
little was done, and the British having sent a flag of truce for permission to buiy the dead, 
the request was granted. Afterward when the patriots sent a flag, the bearer was shot. 
On the 15th, the British received a reinforcement of 400 regulars, with cannon and gun- 
boats, by steamboats from Kingston, and volunteers numbering in all about 2,000 ; who 
surrounded the mill by their gun-boats and steamers on the river, and by stationing cannon 
and troops on land; and keeping up a continual cannonading until Friday evening, when 
the patriots surrendered. At 5 o'clock, the same afternoon, a white flag was displayed 
from the mill, but no attention being paid to it, it was finally fastened on the outside ; then 
3 or 4 flags were sent out, and the bearers shot down as soon as seen. Immediately after 
the surrender, the British burnt 4 dwellings and two barns in the vicinity of the windmill. 
According to the account of Theller, 36 patriots were killed, 2 escaped, and 90 were made 
prisoners ; and of the British about 150 men were killed and 20 officers, among whom was 
Capt. Drummond. The patriots were commanded by Van Schoultz, a Polander, who had 
fought for the freedom of his native land, and witnessed her expiring agonies at ill-fated 
Warsaw. When driven to desperation, he opposed the offering to the enemy the flag of 
truce, and besought his men to rush upon the enemy and die in the contest ; but their am- 
munition and provisions were exhausted, and a five days' fatigue in active night and day 
defence had worn them out and made them indifferent to their fate. At the trials, Van 
Schoultz pleaded guilty and was sentenced to death, and was executed Dec. 9th, 1838, 
aged 31. Col. Dorephus Abbey, of Watertown, Jefferson county; Col. Martin WoodruflT, 
of Salina, Onondaga county, and Daniel George, and others, suffered the same fate with 
Van Schoultz. A number of others were finally released, while the others were sentenced 
to transportation, and with those in a like situation, who had been respited, after their 
trials, and with Messrs. John G. Parker, Watson, and others, to the number of 23, were 
sent to England, and from thence, in company with 11 convicted felons, were transported 
to Van Diemen's Land." 

Pakishville, settled by the enterprise of Mr. David Parish ; taken 
from Hopkinton in 1814; from Albany 195 miles. Pop. 2,251. 
Parishville, on the St. Regis river, and on the St. Lawrence and Ma- 
lone turnpike, 39 miles SE. from Ogdensburg, is a small village. 
Lime and iron abound in the vicinity. 

PiERREPoiNT, taken from Hopkinton in 1814; from Albany 190, 
from Canton centrally distant SE. 10 miles. Pierrepoint is a small 
post village. Pop. 1,430. 

PiTCAiRN is a small and thinly settled town, recently formed. 
Pop. 396. 

Potsdam wslS taken from Madrid in 1806 ; from Albany 216, cen- 
trally distant from Canton NE. 10 miles. Pop. 4,460. The village 
of Potsdam is pleasantly situated at the falls of the Racket river, and 
contains several churches, a flourishing academy, numbering about 
150 pupils, and about 130 dwellings. The annexed engraving shows 

62 



490 



ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY. 




Westei-n View of Po/sda/n. 

the appearance of the viHagc as entered from the west. Tlie public 
building on the right is the Episcopal church ; the two large edi- 
fices in the distance, with cupolas, arc the academy buildings, each 4 
stories in height; the buildings with spires between them are respec- 
tively the Methodist and Presbyterian churches, and the tall spire to 
the left is that of the Universalist churc-h. This village was scuttled 
in 1803, by Benjamin Raymond, Esq., a native of Richmond, Berk- 
shire county, Mass. He erected mills on the west side of Racket 
river. The first church erected was the Congregational, in 1822. 
James Chad wick was the first person who died in the village. He 
was killed in 180.5, by the falling of a tree which he was chopping. 
During the late war, many left this section and vacated their farms 
from fear of the incursions of the British. 

Rossi E was taken from Russell in 1813 ; from Albany 178, from 
Ogdensburg centrally distant SVV. 27 miles. Pop. l,!j5S. Rossie 
and Somcrville are small villages in this town. The Rossie Iron 
Works were established in 1813. Exceedingly rich and valuable 
lead inines have here lately been discovered, and the reputation of 
the Rossie lead has now become widely spread. 

Rlissell, named from RusscjH Atwater, by whom it was settled in 
1805 ; organii'-ed in 1807 ; from Albany 194 mihis. Russell, on the 
St. Lawrence turnpike and Grasse river, 12 miles S. from Canton, is 
a small village. Pop. 1,377. 

Stockholm, taken from Massena in 180(5; from Albany 227, from 
Ogdensburg, E., centrally distant 40 miles. Stockholm, West Stock- 
holm, and Southville, are names of the post-offices. Pop. 2,993. 




SARATOGA COUNTY. 491 



SARATOGA COUNTY. 

Saratoga county was taken from Albany in 1791 ; greatest length 
N. and S. 47, and greatest breadth E. and W. 30 miles. Centrally- 
distant from Albany 36 miles. " Its name is supposed to be a cor- 
ruption of the Indian word Sah-rah-ka, or the ' side hill.' The great- 
er part of the lands in this tract were originally granted by the Eng- 
lish crown to a company of 13 individuals, by the title of the patent 
of Kayaderosseras. Smaller portions were included in other patents. 
Thus Van Schaick's, of an earlier date, included the town of Water- 
ford and adjacent country. The Saratoga patent embraced six miles 
square on the Hudson river north of Van Schaick's ; and the apple 
patent, located on the Mohawk, extended * three miles back into the 
woods,' towards Ballston Lake. The first recorded grant of lands in 
the Kayaderosseras patent was made in August, 1702. A good por- 
tion of the land is now held under a rent charge of from 15 to 20 
cents an acre, derived originally from the above patent. Settlements 
were made in 1715 under that patent, and some probably earlier, 
along the Hudson, upon the patents of Van Schaick and Saratoga : 
but there was then none north of Fish creek, now Schuylersville, 
and few between that and the Mohawk. Until the conquest of Can- 
ada by the English, settlements were slowly made. After this, although 
rapidly formed, they were confined some years to the banks of the 
Hudson and Mohawk. The surface of the county presents a broad 
diversity, having the Kayaderosseras and Palmertown mountains in 
the northwest, and in the southeastern sandy plains, generally level, 
and along the Hudson and some of the smaller streams extensive 
tracts of rich alluvion. There are several small lakes, the largest 
of which are Saratoga, Ballston, or the Long Lake, Round Lake, 
Owl Pond, &c." This county is rich in historical incident. It has 20 
towns. Pop. 40,542. 

Ballston, organized in 1788; from Albany 25 miles. The first 
settlement here was made in 1763, by two brothers of the name of 
McDonald. The town has its name from the Rev. Eliphalet Ball, 
from Bedford, Westchester county, who, with a number of his congre- 
gation, settled about 2h miles south of the springs. The Saratoga 
and Schenectady railroad runs through the town, and the Troy and 
Saratoga railroad enters it near the north boundary. Ballston Cen- 
tre, East Line, and Burnt Hills are post-offices. Pop. 2,037. 

Charlton, taken from Ballston in 1792; from Albany 25, from 
Ballston Spa SW. 8 miles. Pop. 1,937. Charlton is a small village, 
and West Charlton is a post-office. 

Clifton Park, taken from Half Moon in 1828; from Albany 15, 
from Ballston Spa S. 15 miles. Pop. 2,717. Willow Spring, on the 
Erie canal, Rexford Flats, Clifton Park, Vischer's Ferry, and Jones- 
ville are post-offic/es. 



492 SARATOGA COUNTY. 

Corinth wns taken from Hadley in 1818. It is N. from Albany 
44, and from Ballston Spa N. 18 miles. Corinth, formerly Jesups 
Landing, is a small village ; South Corinth is a post-office. The 
great falls of the Hudson are in this town, where there is a cataract of 
about 30 feet, and a rapid 1 mile above, with about the same descent. 
Above the falls there is a narrow place, about 12 feet wide and 20 
feet long, where at low water the whole river passes through with 
astonishing rapidity. Pop. 1,3G5. 

Day, the northwestern town of the county, was originally named 
Concord and taken from Edinburgh and Hadley in 1819 ; from Alba- 
ny 60, and from Ballston Spa N"W. 35 miles. Day and West Day 
are post-offices. Pop. 943. 

Edinburgh, originally named Northfield. was taken from Providence 
in 1801 ; Irom Albany 50, and from Ballston Spa NW. 35 miles. 
Pop. 1,458. Edinburgh on the Scandanaga river is a small village. 

Galway was taken from Ballston in 1792 ; from Albany 30, from 
Ballston Spa NW. 10 miles. Pop. 2,412. Gal way's Corners and 
West Galway are small villages. 

Greenfield, taken from Saratoga and Milton in 1793 ; centrally 
distant from Albany 36 miles. Pop. 2,807. West Greenfield 8 N., 
Greenfield Centre 10 miles N. from the Spa, and Porters Corners, are 
small settlements. 

Hadley, taken from Greenfield and Northumberland in 1801 ; from 
Albany 57, and from the Spa N. 27 miles. Pop. 865. Hadley on 
the Hudson river is a small settlement. 

Half Moon, bounded on the E. by the Hudson, was organized in 
1788 ; from Albany 15, from Ballston Spa S. 16 miles. Middletown, 
Half Moon, and Mechanicsville are villages ; the latter of which is 
noticed under Stillwater. The Champlain canal and Troy railroad 
run along the Hudson. 

Malta, taken from Stillwater in 1802 ; from Albany 25 miles. 
Pop. 1,459. The Troy and Ballston railroad crosses the town north- 
westerly. Dunning Street, 4 miles SE. from the Spa, and Maltaville, 
are small settlements. 

Milton, taken from Ballston in 1792; from Albany NNW. 30 
miles. Pop. 3,149. Rock City, 6 miles NW., and Factory Village, 
3 miles NW. from Ballston Spa, are small villages. 

The village of Ballston Spa, the seat of justice for Saratoga county, 
was incorporated in 1807. It is 30 miles north from Albany, 15 from 
Schenectady, 24 from Troy, and 7 southwest from Saratoga Springs. 
The village is situated in a valley surrounded by hills, upon a branch 
of the Kayaderosseras creek, immediately around the mineral springs 
in the southeast corner of the town of Milton. The village contains 
about 180 dwellings, 3 churches — 1 Presbyterian, 1 Baptist, and 1 
Episcopal — a large courthouse of brick, and other county buildings, 2 
newspaper printing offices, a number of hotels, of which the Sans 
Souci is the most prominent. This structure is of wood, having a 
front of 160 feet, and wings of 150 feet, and is three stories high. 



SARATOGA COUNTY. 



493 




View in Ballston. 



L 



" The mineral springs from which this village derives its importance and celebrity, were 
discovered in 1767. In 1772, Mr. Douglass erected a small log-house here for the accom- 
modation of visiters. During the revolutionary war settlements in this part of the country 
were suspended, but about 1790 Mr. Douglass, enlarged his accommodations. In 1804, 
Nicholas Low, Esq., raised the well-known Sans Souci hotel. In 1807, several other 
springs, and in 1817, four springs of difi'erent qualities, were found near the great manufac- 
tory built by Mr. Low. 

" The spring in the rear of the Sans Souci, and that in the rear of the village hotel, and 
the original spring at the west of the village, contain, as essentia] ingredients, the carbo- 
nates of soda, of lime, iron, and magnesia ; the tonic qualities of the iron, and the spark- 
ling and enlivening influence of the fixed air that they possess in an extraordinary degree, 
have a wonderful effect upon enervated, bilious, and debilitated constitutions. 

" The use of the mineral waters here and at Saratoga is especially beneficial in all those 
affections termed bilious and dyspeptic, in calculous and nephritic complaints, in chronic 
rheumatism, gout, in ulcers and cutaneous disorders, scrofula, in mercurial diseases and 
strumous affections, in recent dropsy, paralysis, chlorosis, &c." 

MoREAu, bounded on the E., N., and NW. by the Hudson, was ta- 
ken from Northumberland in 1805 ; from Albany N. 50, from Ball- 
ston Spa NE. 21 miles. Pop. 1,575. Moreau, Reynolds Corners, and 
Clarksville are small settlements. 

Northumberland, bounded E. by the Hudson, was taken from Sar- 
atoga in 1798 ; N. from Albany 40, and from Ballston Spa NE. 12 
miles. Gansevoortville and Popes Corners are small settlements. 
Pop. 1,672. 

Providence, taken from Gal way in 1796 ; from Albany NW. 36, 
from Ballston Spa NW. 18 miles. Pop. 1,512. Hagedorns Mills, 
Greensboro', and Johnsboro', are small settlements. 

Saratoga was organized in 1788 ; distant 15 miles N. from Ball- 
ston Spa, and 32 from Albany. Pop. 2,624. The surface of 
the township is moderately uneven on the Hudson, which forms the 
eastern boundary ; there are some alluvial flats on the western bor- 
der of the town around Saratoga lake ; the soil is of a light sandy 
loam. Schuylerville, the principal village in the town, lies on the 



i 



494 



SARATOGA COUNTY. 



Champlain canal near the mouth of Fish creek, which here flows into 
the Hudson, and consists of about 100 dweUings, 3 churches — 1 Dutch 
Reformed, 1 Baptist, and 1 Methodist — and an academy, with several 
mills and factories. 




Schuyler mansion-house, Schuykrville. 

The above is a view of the mansion of the late Gen. Schuyler, in 
Schuylerville, which was built a short time after his house and mills 
at this place were destroyed by the army under General Burgoyne 
in 1777. This dwelling, the residence of George Strover, Esq., is a 
short distance south of the spot where Burgoyne surrendered his 
sword to General Gates. After the battle at Stillwater, Oct. 7th, he 
made an attempt to effect his retreat back to Fort Edward, but was 
unable to proceed any further than the mouth of Fish creek, where 
he was hemmed in by the American forces. The following account 
relative to the surrender of Burgoyne is from the 2d volume of Al- 
len's American Revolution : — 

"Previous to the action of the 7ih, General Gates, anticipating the retreat of the enemy, 
had ordered Brigadier General Fellows, with 1,300 men, to cross the river, and take post 
on the heights opposite the Saratoga ford, supposing that he might be able to reinforce him 
before Burgoyne could reach the place. But the retreat of the British army being earlier 
than he expected, and the circumstances before related preventing him from pursuing imme- 
diately with the main army, or sendipg off any considerable detachment. General Fellows 
was i>laced in a critical situation, and nothing saved his detachment from destruction or 
capture, but the very slow movements of Burgoyne, occasioned by a heavy rain during the 
night of the 8th, and the badness of the roads, which compelled him to halt at Davocote, 
so that he did not reach Saratoga until the morning of the 9th. By this time General Fel- 
lows had received orders to recross the river and endeavor to oppose their passage, which 
he did just as the front of the British army entered Saratoga, and in time to post himself 
advantageously on the opposite bank of the river. On the evening before, his camp was 
so entirely unguarded, that Lieutenant-colonel Southerland, who had been sent forward 
by Burgoyne to reconnoitre, marched around it without meeting with a sentinel, and was 
so strongly impressed with the conviction that he could surprise him, that he solicited per- 
mission to attack him with his single regiment ; and it was perhaps fortunate for General 
Fellows that Burgoyne refused. 

" In the mean time several other bodies of militia were posted, to intercept the retreat 
of Burgoyne, in various directions, and one detachment was ordered to march immediately 
to Fort Edward, and take possession before any part of Burgoyne's troops could reach iu 
A rain on the 10th prevented General Gates from marching until the afternoon. When 
the front of the army reached Saratoga, about 4 o'clock, the British were encamped on the 



SARATOGA COUNTY. 495 

heights beyond the Fishkill, [Fish creek :] their boats lay at the mouth of the creek, and a 
fatigue party were at work in removing the baggage from the creek to the heights. Ge- 
neral Fellows with his corps were on the opposite bank of the river, with a couple of small 
field-pieces on the plain, playing upon the enemy's fatigue party. General Gates on his 
arrival posted the army in several lines on the heights, about a mile in the rear of the Fish- 
kill, with Colonel Morgan's corps in front. Under the idea that the enemy would retreat 
in the night, General Gates gave orders that the army should advance at reveillee in the 
morning of the 11th. A small detachment had been sent off by Burgoyne to possess them- 
selves af Fort Edward, but finding it occupied by the Americans, had returned to camp : 
the movement of this detachment had given rise to the information which deceived Gene, 
ral Gates, that the whole British army had moved off, leaving a small guard only in the 
camp to take care of the baggage and stores. Upon this intelligence it was determined to 
attack the camp early in the morning ; and Brigadier-generals Nixon and Glover were 
ordered to cross the creek with their brigades for this purpose. 

" Colonel Morgan advancing with his corps at daylight agreeably to orders, fell in with 
the enemy's picket, by whom he was fired upon, and lost a lieutenant and several privates. 
This induced him to suppose that the enemy had not moved as supposed, in which case his 
situation would be extremely critical, as the fog was so thick that nothing could be seen at 
the distance of twenty yards ; a winding creek was in his rear, and he was unacquainted 
with the grounds. In this dilemma he was met by the Deputy Adjutant-general, Colonel 
Wilkinson, who had been sent out by the general for the purpose of reconnoitring. Wil- 
kinson returned immediately to communicate this intelligence to the general, and Patter- 
son's and Learned's brigades, both under the command of the latter, were sent to the sup- 
port of Morgan. In the mean time the whole army had advanced as far as the ridge 
between the church and General Schuyler's house, where they halted. Generals Nixon 
and Glover were in advance, marching according to orders to the attack of the camp. 
Nixon had already crossed the creek, and Glover was preparing to follow him, when a de- 
serter from the enemy was observed fording the creek, from whom information was received 
that Burgoyne with his whole army was still in his camp. This was confirmed by the 
capture of a reconnoitring party of a subaltern and 35 men, by the advance guard of 50 
under Captain Goodale of Putnam's regiment, who discovered them through the fog just as 
he reached the bank of the creek, and making a resolute charge upon them, took them 
without tiring a gun. The general was at this time a mile in the rear, and before this 
intelligence could be communicated to him, and orders received for the two brigades to 
desist and recross the river, the fog cleared up, and exposed to view the whole British army 
under arms. A heavy fire of artillery and small-arms was immediately opened upon Nix- 
on's brigade, which was in advance, and they retreated in considerable disorder across the 
creek, with a trifling loss, and resumed their position. 

" General Learned had in the mean time reached Morgan's corps with his two brigades, 
and was advancing rapidly to the attack, in obedience to a standing order which had been 
issued the day before, ' That in case of an attack against any point, whether front, flank or 
rear, the troops are to fall on the enemy at all quarters.' He had arrived within 200 yards 
of Burgoyne's strongest post, and in a few minutes more would have been engaged under 
great disadvantages, when Colonel Wilkinson reached him with intelligence that our right 
had given way, and that it would be prudent for him to retreat. Being without authority 
from the general to order it, the brave old general hesitated to obey, in opposition to the 
standing order, until Lieutenant-colonels Brooks and Tupper and some other officers com- 
ing up, a sort of council was held, and the proposition to retreat was approved. The mo- 
ment they turned their backs, the enemy, who had been calmly expecting their advance, 
opened a fire upon them which was continued until they were masked by the wood. They 
retreated about half a mile, with Morgan on their left, and encamped in a strong position, 
which they held until the surrender of the British army." 

On the 14th of October, Gen. Burgoyne sent Major Kingston to 
the head-quarters of Gen. Gates with a proposition for " a cessation 
of arms, during the time necessary to communicate the preliminary 
terms, by which in any extreinity he and the army mean to abide." 
Gen. Gates had already prepared- a schedule of the terms upon which 
he was willing to treat. This schedule evinced that he was well ac- 
quainted with the distresses of the British, and was drawn up in terms 
of extreme liberality. To the 9th article of Gen. Burgoyne's propo- 
^sition, Gen. Gates affixed the following answer : 



49G SARATOGA COUNTY. 

" ' The capitulation to be finished by 2 o'clock, this day, the 15th, and the troops march 
from their encampment at 5, and be in readiness to move towards Boston to-morrow morn- 
ing.' These prehminary articles and their answers being sent to General Burgoyne, pro- 
duced the immediate return of his messenger with the following note. ' The eight first 
preliminary articles of Lieutenant-general Burgoync's proposals, and the 2d, 3d, and 4th 
of those of Major-general Gates of yesterday, being agreed to, the formation of the pro- 
posed treaty is out of dispute, but the several subordinate articles and regulations necessa- 
rily springing from these preliminaries, and requiring explanations and precision, between 
the parties, before a definitive treaty can be safely executed, a longer time than that men- 
tioned by General Gates in his answer to the 9th article, becomes indispensably necessary. 
Lieutenant-general Burgoyne is willing to appoint two officers immediately to meet two 
others frona Major-general Gates to propound, discuss, and settle those subordinate articles, 
in order that the treaty in due form may be executed as soon as possible.' " 

This meeting took place on the afternoon of the 15th, and the 
parties mutually signed articles of capitulation, or convention, as Gen. 
Burgoyne wished to have it designated. A copy of the convention 
was to be signed by Gen. Burgoyne and delivered the next morning. 
The following are the articles of convention. 

Articles of Convention between Lieutenant-general Burgoyne and Major-general Gates. 

" 1st. The trot)ps under Lieutenant-general Burgoyne to march out of their camp with 
the honors of war, and the artillery of the entrenchments, to the verge of the river where 
the old fort stood, where the arms and artillery are to be left ; the arms to be piled by word 
of command from their own officers. 

"2d. A free passage to be granted to the army under Lieutenant-general Burgoyne to 
Great Britain, on condition of not serving again in North America during the present con- 
test ; and the port of Boston is assigned for the entry of transports to receive the troops, 
whenever General Howe shall so order. 

" 3d. Should any cartel take place, by v^•hich the army under General Burgoyne, or any 
part of it, may be exchanged, the foregoing article to be void as far as such exchange shall 
be made. 

" 4th. The army under Lieutenant-general Burgoyne, to march to Massachusetts Bay, 
by the easiest, most expeditious, and convenient route ; and to be quartered in, near, or as 
convenient as possible to Boston, that the march of the troops may not be delayed, when 
the transports arrive to receive them. 

" 5th. The troops to be supplied on their march, and during their being in quarters, with 
provisions, by General Gates' orders, at the same rate of rations as the troops of his own 
army ; and if possible the officers' horses and cattle are to be supplied with forage at the 
usual rates. 

" 6th. All officers to retain their carriages, batt-horses and other cattle, and no baggage 
to be molested or searched ; Lieutenant-general Burgoyne giving his honor that there are 
no public stores secreted therein. Major-general Gates will of course take the necessary 
measures for the due performance of this article. Should any carriages be wanted during 
the march, for the transportation of officers' baggage, they are, if possible, to be supphed by 
the country at the usual rates. 

" 7th. Upon the march, and during the time the army shall remain in quarters in Massa- 
chusetts Bay, the officers are not as far as circumstances will admit to be separated from 
their men. The officers are to be quartered according to rank, and are not to be hindered 
from assembling their men for roll-call and other necessary purposes of regularity. 

" 8th. All corps whatever of General Burgoyne's army, whether composed of sailors, 
batteauxmen, artificers, drivers, independent companies, and followers of the army, of 
whatever country, shall be included in the fullest sense and utmost extent in the above ar- 
ticles, and comprehended in every respect as British subjects. 

"9th. All Canadians, and persons belonging to the Canadian establishment, consisting 
of sailors, batteauxmen, artificers, drivers, independent companies, and many other follow, 
ers of the army, who come under no particular description, are to be permitted to return 
there ; they are to be conducted immediately by the shortest route to the first British post 
on Lake George, are to be supplied with provisions in the same manner as the other troops, 
and are to be bound by the same condition of not serving during the present contest in 
North America. 

" 10th. Passports to be immediately granted for three officers not exceeding the rank o^ 
captains, who shall be appointed by Lieutenant-general Burgoyne, to carry despatches to 



SARATOGA COUNTY. 



497 



Sir William Howe, Sir Guy Carleton, and to Great Britain, by the way of New York ; and 
Major-general Gates engages the public faith, that these despatches shall not be opened. 
These officers are to set out immediately after receiving their despatches, and are to travel 
the shortest route, and in the most expeditious manner. 

" 11th. During the stay of the troops in Massachusetts Bay, the officers are to be ad- 
mitted on parole, and are to be allowed to wear their side-arms. 

" 12. Should the army under Lieutenant-general Burgoyne find it necessary to send for 
their clothing and other baggage to Canada, they are to be permitted to do it in the most 
convenient manner, and the necessary passports granted for that purpose. 

" 13. These articles are to be mutually signed and exchanged to-morrow morning, at 9 
o'clock, and the troops under Lieutenant-general Burgoyne are to march out of their entrench- 
ments at 3 o'clock in the afternoon. 

(Signed) " Horatio Gates, Major-general. 
" Saratoga, Oct. 16th, 1777. (^'&"^<^^ " ^' Burgoyne, Lieutenant-general. 

" To prevent any doubts that might arise from Lieutenant-general Burgoyne's name not 
being mentioned in the above treaty, Major-general Gates hereby declares, that he is un- 
derstood to be comprehended in it, as fully as if his name had been specifically mentioned. 

" Horatio Gates." 

" The brass artillery captured fi-om Burgoyne at various times during the campaign, 
amounted to 42 pieces, constituting one of the most elegant trains ever brought into the 
field ; 5,000 stand of arms, 6,000 dozen of cartridges ; and a number of ammunition wagons, 
travelling forges, shot, carcasses, shells, &c., also fell into the hands of the Americans. 
The whole number of troops surrendered by the convention amounted to 5,763, which 
added to the number killed, wounded, and captured, in the several actions previous to the 
17th October, amounting to near 5,000, makes Burgoyne's total loss of upwards of ten 
thousand men. 

" On the morning of the 17th the troops of Burgoyne were marched out of their camp to 
the plain near the river, where their arms were deposited ; and the victorious Americans 
took possession of their lines." 

The annexed cut is a copy 
of the signature of General 
Burgoyne, attached to the 
articles of the convention 
now in possession of the 
New York Historical So- 
ciety. 

Facsimile of Oen. Burgoyne's sigruiture. 

General Wilkinson's account of the interview between Gates and 
Burgoyne on the field of surrender is interesting. 

" Early in the morning of the 17th, I visited General Burgoyne in his camp, and accom. 
panied him to the ground, where his army was to lay down their arms, from whence we 
rode to the bank of the Hudson river, which he surveyed with attention, and asked me 
whether it was not fordable. ' Certainly, sir ; but do you observe the people on the oppo- 
site^hore ?' ' Yes,' replied he, ' I have seen them too long.' He then proposed to be in- 
troduced to General Gates, and we crossed the Fishkill, and proceeded to head-quarters, 
General Burgoyne in front, with his adjutant-general Kingston, and his aids-de-camp Cap- 
tain Lord Petersham, and Lieutenant Wilford behind him ; then followed Major-general 
Philips, the Baron Reidesel, and the other general officers, and their suites, according to 
rank. General Gates, advised of Burgoyne's approach, met him at the head of his camp, 
Burgoyne in a rich royal uniform, and Gates in a plain blue frock ; when they had ap- 
proached nearly within sword's length, they reined up, and hahed. I then named the gen- 
tlemen, and General Burgoyne, raising his hat most gracefully, said ' The formne of war, 
General Gates, has made me your prisoner ;' to which the conqueror, returning a courtly 
salute, promptly repUed, ' I shall always be ready to bear testimony, that it has not been 
through any fault of your excellency.' Major-general Phillips then advanced, and he and 
General Gates saluted, and shook hands with the familiarity of old acquaintances. The 
Baron Reidesel, and the other officers, were introduced in their turn." 

63 




.ito> 



498 



SARATOGA COUNTY. 




" Gen. Philip Schuyler was born 
at Albany in 1731, of an ancient 
and respectable family. When 
quite young he became a mem- 
ber of the New York legislature, 
and was eminent for his intelU- 
gence and usefulness. To him 
Facsimile of Philip Schuyler's signature. and Governor Clinton it was 

chiefly owing that the province made an early and decided resistance to those British mea- 
sures which terminated in the independence of the colonies. When the revolution com- 
menced, he was appointed, June 19, 1775, a major-general, and was directed to proceed 
immediately from New York to Ticonderoga, to secure the lakes, and make preparations 
for entering Canada. Being taken sick in September, the command devolved upon Mont- 
gomery. On his recovery, he devoted himself zealously to the management of the alfairs 
in the northern departments. He gave much attention to the superintendence of the Indian 
concerns. On the approach of Burgoyne, in 1777, he made every exertion to obstruct his 
progress ; but the evacuation of Ticonderoga by St. Clair, occasioning unreasonable jealousies 
in regard to Schuyler, in New England, he was superseded by Gen. Gates in August ; and 
an inquiry was directed by congress to be made into his conduct. He was afterward, 
though not in the regular service, very useful to his country in the military transactions of 
New York. He was a member of the old congress ; and when the present government 
of the United States commenced its operation in 1789, he was appointed a senator in the 
national legislature. He was chosen a second time in 1797, to the same station. In the 
senate of New York, he contributed probably more than any other man to the code of 
laws adopted by the state. He died at his seat near Albany, Nov. 18, 1804, in the 73d 
year of his age. He possessed great strength of mind and purity of intention. In the con- 
trivance of plans of public utility, he was wise and circumspect, and in their execution, 
enterprising and persevering. In his deportment he was dignified and courteous. He was 
a pleasant and instructive companion, and in all the functions of private Ufe was highly ex- 
emplary." — Encyclopedia Americana. 




View in the village of Saratoga Springs. 

Saratoga Springs was taken from Saratoga in 1819. Pop. 2,624. 
The village of Saratoga Springs is 181 miles from New York, 36^ 
from Albany, and 6^ from Ballston Spa. It is located in a fertile 
country, and contains 6 churches, several literary institutions, and 
about 2,000 inhabitants. The above engraving was taken from 



SARATOGA COUNTY. 



499 



near the circular railway, and exhibits the principal portion of the 
village, with a view of the elegant Grecian colonnade erected over the 
Congress spring, seen near the centre of the picture. This place de- 
rives its attractions from its medicinal springs. These are situated 
on the margin of a vale, bordering the village on the east, and are 
the continuation of a chain of springs discovering themselves about 
12 miles to the south, in the town of Ballston. The springs in this 
vicinity are 18 or 20 in number, the principal of which are the Con- 
gress, the Iodine or Walton, Putnam's, Congress, the Monroe, the 
Hamilton, the Flat Rock, the High Rock, the Columbian, and the 
Washington. A new spring has lately been discovered, whose 
waters are gaining high favor with the public, and are said to be 
beneficial in consumption. The hotels in this place are numerous, 
and some of them truly elegant, built in good taste, with spacious 
piazzas, and yards ornamented with shrubbery. The facility with 
which it is visited, by railroads from Albany and Troy, with other 
thoroughfares, together with the numerous attractions of the place, 
has rendered Saratoga the summer resort of thousands from all parts 
of our wide-spread country. 




JVestern view of the battle-ground, Stillwater'. 

Stillwater wsls organized in 1788. It is centrally situated 
from Albany 22 miles. The general surface is level, and the river 
hills of a moderate height. Pop. 2,733. The village of Mechanics- 
ville is situated on a section of land between Hudson river and the 
canal. It consists of about 50 or 60 dwellings, partly in this, and 
partly in the town of Half Moon, 2 or more churches, several mills 
and factories on Anthony's kill, which forms the southern boundary 
of the town. Stillwater is a small village on the canal, about 4 miles 
above Mechanicsville. This town is distinguished in history as being 
the battle-ground of the armies of Gens. Gates and Burgoyne in 1777. 

The above shows the appearance of the battle-ground on Free- 
man's farm, as seen from near the front of Mr. J. Walker's house, 2^ 
miles from Pattison's tavern, and about 2 miles from Hudson river. 



500 SARATOGA COUNTY. 

Freeman's house stood a few feet south of the southernmost building 
seen in the engraving ; the hne of trees or woods seen behind the 
buildings is the spot where Burgoyne formed his hne on the brow 
of the elevated plain previous to the battle of Sept. 19th; Willard's 
mountain on the east side of the Hudson is seen in the distance. 
About 15 rods south from Mr, Walker's house, in what then was 
called a meadow, is the spot where Gen. Frazer was mortally 
wounded ; it is a little west of a road running N. and S. which has 
since been made near this place. About 60 rods in a SW. direction 
was the hottest of the fight, on the 7th of October. Near the place 
where Frazer fell, a hole or grave was dug, into which the bodies of 
40 soldiers were thrown, after being stripped of their clothing by 
the women of the camp. Maj. Ackland was wounded a little east 
of the present road. The following account of the battles is drawn 
from various sources. 

" The army arrived at Stillwater on the 9th of September, fully determined to face the 
foe, and if necessary pursue him into his own confines. This was at first supposed to be 
an eligible position for throwing up a line of intrenchments, and a large party under the 
engineer Kosciusko were accordingly set to work for that purpose. But upon a more nar- 
row inspection of the grounds, the general determined to change his position, and occupy 
Bemus's heights, which were taken possession of and fortified on the 12ih. Burgoyne at 
this time lay opposite to Saratoga, occupying old Fort Miller and Battenkill ; but what were 
his further intentions. Gen. Gates had no means of judging. In this situation the deputy 
adjutant-general, Col. James Wilkinson, volunteered to head a select reconnoitring party, 
and obtain if possible the desired information. He left the camp with 170 men, under cover 
of a dark night, and arrived by daylight at Davocote, about two miles from Saratoga. Here 
he posted the greater part of his men in a wood near the road, and proceeded himself to 
the heights of Fish, creek ; from which position he discovered a column of the enemy drawn 
up under arms, on the opposite bank of the creek, within 300 yards of him, and another 
column under march, descending the heights below Battenkill. Being satisfied from these 
circumstances that Gen. Burgoyne was advancing, Col. Wilkinson returned to camp with 
his party, bringing with him three prisoners, who confirmed the intelligence. 

" On the 15th, Gen. Burgoyne having crossed the river some days before, had advanced 
as far as Davocote, where he halted 24 hours for the purpose of repairing the bridges and 
roads in his advance, for the more convenient march of his army. On the 18th, Gen. Ar. 
nold was sent out with 1,500 men, to harass and impede him, but returned without accom- 
plishing any thing; Burgoyne continuing his march until he had arrived within 2 miles of 
Gen. Gates's camp. Here he encamped in a line extending from the river to a range of 
hills 600 yards distant, and upon which were posted the elite of his army. The position 
occupied by Gen. Gates, as described by an eye-witness, and one who knew it well, was 
as follows : — ' His right occupied the brow of the hill near the river, with which it was con- 
nected by a deep intrenchment ; his camp in the form of a segment of a great circle, the 
convex towards the enemy, extended rather obliquely to his rear, about three-fourths of a 
mile to a knoll occupied by his left ; his front was covered from the right to the left of his 
centre, by a sharp ravine running parallel with his line, and closely wooded ; from thence 
to the knoll at his extreme left, the ground was level and had been partially cleared, some 
of the trees being felled, and others girdled ; beyond which, in front of his left flank, and 
extending to the enemy's right, there were several small fields in very imperfect cultivation, 
the surface broken and obstructed with stumps and fallen timber, and the whole bounded 
on the west by a steep eminence. The extremities of this camp were defended by strong 
batteries, and the interval was strengthened by a breastwork without intrenchments, con- 
structed of the bodies of felled trees, logs and rails, with an additional battery at an open- 
ing left of the centre. The right was almost impracticable ; the left difficult of approach.' " 
— Allen's Rev. 

While in this position, the battle of the 19th Sept. took ploce ; the 
following account of which is from Gen. Wilkinson's Memoirs. 

" This battle was perfectly accidental ; neither of the generals meditated an attack at 
the time, and but for Lieut. Col. Colburn's report, it would not have taken place ; Bur- 



SARATOGA COUNTY. 501 

goyne's movement being merely to take ground on the heights in front of the great ravine, 
to give his several corps their proper places in line, to embrace our front and cover his 
transport, stores, provisions, and baggage, in the rear of his left ; and on our side, the de- 
fences of our camp being not half completed, and reinforcements daily arriving, it was not 
Gen. Gates's policy to court an action. The misconception of the adverse chiefs put them 
on the defensive, and confined them to the ground they casually occupied at the beginning 
of the action, and prevented a single manoeuvre, during one of the longest, warmest, and 
most obstinate battles fought in America. 

" The theatre of action was such, that although the combatants changed ground a dozen 
times in the course of the day, the contest terminated on the spot where it began. The 
British line was formed on an eminence in a thin pine wood, having before it Freeman's 
farm, an oblong field, stretching from its centre towards its right, the ground in front sloping 
gently down to the verge of this field, which was bordered on the opposite side by a close 
wood. The sanguinary scene lay in the cleared ground, between the eminence occupied 
by the enemy, and the wood just described. The fire of our marksmen from this wood 
was loo deadly to be withstood by the enemy in line, and when they gave way and broke, 
our men, rushing from their covert, pursued them to the eminence, where, having their 
flanks protected, they rallied, and, charging in turn, drove us back into the wood, from 
whence a dreadful fire would again force them to fall back ; and in this manner did the 
battle fluctuate, like the waves of a stormy sea, with alternate advantage for four hours, 
without one moment's intermission. The British artillery fell into our possession at every 
charge, but we could neither turn the pieces upon the enemy, nor bring them oflT; the 
wood prevented the last, and the want of a match the first, as the linstock was invariably 
carried off", and the rapidity of the transitions did not allow us time to provide one. The 
slaughter of this brigade of artillerists was remarkable, the captain and 36 men being killed 
or wounded out of 48. It was truly a gallant conflict, in which death by familiarity lost 
his terrors, and certainly a drawn battle, as night alone terminated it ; the British army 
keeping its ground in rear of the field of action, and our corps, when they could no longer 
distinguish objects, retiring to their own camp." 

From the period this battle was fought, (Sept. 19th,) to October 
7th, the time was spent by Gen. Bm-goyne in strengthening his posi- 
tion, and by Gen. Gates in collecting reinforcements. Gen. Bur- 
goyne is said to have planned an attack on the 20th and 21st of 
September, but fortunately it was delayed until the Americans were 
in the best situation to oppose him. Attacks on the British piquets 
took place almost every evening, and they were continually harassed. 
The following is Gen. Wilkinson's account of the battle of Oct. 7th. 

" On the afternoon of October 7th, the advanced guard of the centre beat to arms ; the 
alarm was repeated throughout the line, and the troops repaired to their alarm posts. I was 
at head-quarters when this happened, and with the approbation of the general, mounted my 
horse to inquire the cause ; but on reaching the guard where the beat commenced, I could 
obtain no other satisfaction, but that some person had reported the enemy to be advancing 
against our left. I proceeded, over open ground, and ascending a gentle acclivity in front 
of the guard, I perceived, about half a mile from the line of our encampment, several col- 
umns of the enemy, 60 or 70 rods from me, entering a wheat field which had not been cut, 
and was separated from me by a small rivulet ; and without my glass I could distinctly 
mark their every movement. After entering the field they displayed, formed the line, and 
set down in double ranks with their arms between their legs. Foragers then proceeded to 
cut the wheat or standing straw, and I soon after observed several officers mounted on the 
top of a cabin, from whence with their glasses they were endeavoring to reconnoitre our 
left, which was concealed from their view by intervening woods. 

" Having satisfied myself, after fifteen minutes attentive observation, that no attack was 
meditated, I returned and reported to the general, who asked me what appeared to be the 
intentions of the enemy. ' They are foraging, and endeavoring to reconnoitre your left ; 
and I think, sir, they offer you battle.' ' What is the nature of the ground, and what your 
opinion ?' ' Tlieir front is open, and their flanks rest on the woods, under cover of which 
they may be attacked ; their right is skirted by a lofty height. I would indulge them.' 
' Well, then, order on Morgan to begin the game.' I waited on the colonel, whose corps 
was formed in front of our centre, and delivered the order ; he knew the ground and in- 
quired the position of the enemy ; they were formed across a newly cultivated field, their 



502 SARATOGA COUNTY. 

grenadiers with several field-pieces on the left, bordering on a wood and a small ravine 
formed by the rivulet before alluded to ; their light infantry on the right, covered by a worm 
fence at the foot of the hill before mentioned, thickly covered with wood ; their centre 
composed of British and German battalions. Col. Morgan, with his usual sagacity, pro. 
posed to make a circuit with his corps by our left, and under cover of the wood to gain the 
height on the right of the enemy, and from thence commence the attack, so soon as our 
fire should be opened against their left; the plan was the best which could be devised, and 
no doubt contributed essentially to the prompt and decisive victory we gained. 

" This proposition was approved by the general, and it was concerted that time should be 
allowed the colonel to make the proposed circuit, and gain his station on the enemy's right 
before the attack should be made on their left ; Poor's brigade was ordered for this service, 
and the attack was commenced in due season on the flank and front of the British grena- 
diers, by the New Hampshire and New York troops. True to his purpose, Morgan at this 
critical moment poured down like a toiTent from the hill, and attacked the right of the en- 
emy in front and flank. Dearborn, at the moment when the enemy's hght infantry were 
attempting to change front, pressed forward with ardor, and delivered a close fii'e ; then 
leaped the fence, shouted, charged, and gallantly forced them to retire in disorder ; yet, 
headed by that intrepid soldier, the Earl of Balcarras, they were immediately rallied, and 
re-formed behind a fence in rear of their first position ; but being now attacked with great 
audacity, in front and flanks, by superior numbers, resistance became vain, and the whole 
line, commanded by Burgoyne in person, gave way, and made a precipitate and disorderly 
retreat to his camp, leaving two twelve and six six pounders on the field, with the loss of 
more than 400 officers and men, killed, wounded and captured, and among them the flow, 
er of his oflircers — viz, brigadier-general Frazer; Major Ackland, commanding the grenadiers ; 
Sir Francis Clark, his first aid-de-camp ; Major Williams, commanding officer of the artil. 
iery ; Captain Mooney, deputy quartermaster-general, and many others. After deliver- 
ing the order to General Poor, and directing him to the point of attack, I was peremptorily 
commanded to repair to the rear, and order up Ten Broeck's regiment of New York mili- 
tia, 3000 strong. I performed this service, and regained the field of battle at the moment 
the enemy had turned their backs — 52 minutes after the first shot was fired. The ground 
which had been occupied by the British grenadiers, presented a scene of complicated hor- 
ror and exultation. In the square space of twelve or fifteen yards lay eighteen grenadiers 
in the agonies of death, and three officers propped up against stumps of trees, two of them 
mortally wounded, bleeding and almost speechless. What a spectacle for one whose bo- 
som glowed with philanthropy ; and how vehement the impulse which excites men of sen- 
sibility to seek such scenes of barbarism ! I found the courageous Colonel Cilley a-strad- 
dle on a brass twelve pounder, and exulting in the capture ; whilst a surgeon, a man of 
great worth, who was dressing one of the officers, raising his blood-besmeared hands in the 
phrenzy of patriotism, exclaimed, ' Wilkinson, I have dipped my hands in British blood.' 
He received a sharp rebuke for his brutality ; and with the troops I pursued the hard press- 
ed flying enemy, passing over killed and wounded, until I heard one exclaim, ' Protect me, 
sir, against this boy.' Turning my eyes, it was my fortune to arrest the purpose of a lad 
thirteen or fourteen years old, in the act of taking aim at the wounded officer, who lay in 
the angle of a worm fence. Inquiring his rank, he answered, ' I had the honor to com- 
mand the grenadiers.' Of course, I knew him to be Major Ackland, who had been brought 
from the field to this place, on the back of Captain Shrimpton, of his own corps, under a 
heavy fire, and was here deposited, to save the lives of both. I dismounted, look him by 
the hand, and expressed my hopes that he was not badly wounded. ' Not badly,' replied 
this gallant officer and accomplished gentleman, ' but very inconveniently. I am shot 
through both legs. Will you, sir, have the goodness to have me conveyed to your camp ?' 
I directed my servant to alight, and we lifted Ackland into his seat, and ordered him to be 
conducted to head-quarters. I then proceeded to the scene of renewed action, which em- 
braced Burgoyne's right flank defence, and extending to his left, crossed a hollow covered 
with wood, about 40 rods, to the intrenchment of the light infantry. The roar of cannon 
and small-arms, at this juncture, was sublime, between the enemy, behind their works, and 
our troops entirely exposed, or partially sheltered by trees, stumps, or hollows, at various 
distances, not exceeding 120 yards. This right flank defence of the enemy, occupied by 
the German corps of Breyman, consisted of a breastwork of rails piled horizontally be- 
tween perpendicular pickets, driven into the earth, en potence to the rest of his line, and 
extended about 250 yards across an open field, and was covered on the right by a battery 
of two guns. The interval from the left to the British light infantry, was committed to the 
defence of the provincialists, who occupied a couple of log cabins. The Germans were 
encamped immediately behind the rail breastwork, and the ground in front of it declined, 
in a^ery gentle slope, for about 120 yards, when it sunk abruptly. Our troops had formed 



SARATOGA COUNTY. 503 

a line under this declivity, and covered breast high, were warmly engaged with the Ger. 
mans. From this position, about sunset, I perceived Brigadier-general Learned advancing 
towards the enemy with his brigade, in open column, I think, with Col. M. Jackson's regi- 
ment in front, as I saw Lieutenant-colonel Brooks, who commanded it, near the general 
when I rode up to him. On saluting this brave old soldier, he inquired, ' Where can I put 
in with most advantage ?' I had particularly examined the ground between the left of the 
Germans and the light infantry, occupied by the provincialists, from whence I had observed 
a slack fire. I therefore recommended to General Learned to incline to his right, and at- 
tack at that point. He did so, with great gallantry ; the provincialists abandoned their po- 
sition and fled. The German flank was, by this means, left uncovered. They were as- 
saulted vigorously, overturned in five minutes, and retreated in disorder, leaving their gal- 
lant commander, Lieutenant-colonel Breyman, dead on the field. By dislodging this corps, 
the whole British encampment was laid open to us ; but the extreme darkness of the night, 
the fatigue of the men, and disorder incident to undisciplined troops, after so desultory an 
action, put it out of our power to improve the advantage ; and in the course of the night, 
General Burgoyne broke up his camp, and retired to his original position, which he had for- 
tified, behind the great ravine." 

The following is from Allen's American Revolution : — 

" The British lost in this action upwards of 400 killed, wounded, and prisoners, among 
whom were several of their most distinguished officers. Brigadier-general Frazer, and 
Lieutenant-colonel Breyman, who commanded the Germans, were both mortally wounded. 
Major Ackland, Sir Francis Clark, first aid-de-camp. Major Williams, who commanded the 
artillery, and the deputy quarter.master-general, Captain Money, were among the prisoners. 
Lieutenant-colonel Brooks, of General Learned's brigade, who commanded Jackson's regi- 
ment on this day, led his men into action with great spirit against the German grenadiers, 
who were posted behind a rail breastwork — the stockades were carried at the point of the 
bayonet, and the Germans forced to retreat. They were followed to their encampment, 
and again forced to fly, leaving their whole equipage to fall into the hands of the Ameri- 
cans. The Brunswickers showed great cowaraice in the action, having fled before a man 
of them was killed or wounded. Besides their killed, wounded, and captured, the British 
lost eight brass field-pieces, a number of carts and tents, and a considerable quantity of 
baggage. Burgoyne himself narrowly escaped death, one shot having passed through his 
hat, and another through his waistcoat. He was on the field during the whole of the ac- 
tion, directing every movement ; but neither gallantry nor skill could effect any thing 
agamst such a superiority of force. General Gates remained in camp during the whole ac- 
tion, that he might be the better enabled to order and regulate the various movements, as 
circumstances should require. 

" The loss of the Americans did not exceed eighty men, killed and wounded. General 
Arnold was among the latter; who, though he had not been reinstated in his command 
since the dispute with General Gates, before mentioned, rode about the field giving orders 
in every direction, sometimes in direct contradiction to those of the commander, at others 
leading a platoon in person, and exposing himself to the hottest fire of the enemy. There 
seems to be httle doubt, from the conduct of Arnold during the action, that he was in a 
state of intoxication. The mortifying situation in which he found himself at its commence- 
ment, without command or authority, sufficiently accounts for any extravagance in a spirit 
like his. At one time he dashed through two opposing lines, exposing himself to the fire 
of both sides, but miraculously escaped unhurt : at another time, placing himself at the 
head of a small platoon of Morgan's riflemen, he led them around into the rear of the en- 
emy, at the moment they turned to retreat, under the hottest fire of the Americans. In 
this situation, his horse was killed under him, and his leg was broken. It would be doing 
injustice to General Arnold, traitor as he afterward proved, to deny that he deserved some 
credit on this day ; but though he was brave almost beyond parallel, he was rash, impetu- 
ous and headstrong, and when it is considered, that these faults of his natural temper were 
aggravated and heightened by the peculiar circumstances of his situation, it will not per- 
haps be wrong to say, that he could not have rendered any very essential services to the 
American army, in this important contest. 

" On the night of the battle. General Burgoyne deemed it prudent to change his posi- 
tion ; for the Americans had followed them to within half a mile of their encampment, and 
continued to cannonade them without ceasing. He determined therefore to abandon his 
camp and move to the high grounds, which he effected in good order and without loss. 
On the morning of the 8th the American army moved forward and took possession of his 
abandoned camp, from which they kept up a random fire of artillery and small-arms dur- 



504 



SAUATOGA COUNTV. 



ing the whole day. Burgoyne's troops were all day under arms in expectation of another 
attack, and indicating by their movements that they intended a still further retreat. In the 
occasional skirmishes of the day, General Lincoln was shot in the leg by some of the en- 
emy's marksmen." 




House in which General Frazer died, Stillwater. 

The annexed is a northeastern view of the house on the bank of 
the Hudson in Stillwater, in which General Frazer died.* This 
house was originally one story in height, and formerly stood about 
25 rods westward of its present situation, at the foot of the hill north 
of the canal bridge seen in the rear of the house. It has since re- 
ceived an addition at both ends ; the general expired near the first 
window to the right of the door. Beyond the bridge in the distance is 
seen an elevation about 100 feet in height. This spot is rendered in- 
teresting on account of its being the burial place of General Frazer. 
The gravef was between the two pine trees seen on the summit. Du- 
ring the last battle, the Americans had a few cannon on the rising ground 
above the eastern shore, from which shots were fired. This house 
appears to have been for a time the head-quarters of Burgoyne. 
Several ladies of distinction were also inmates at the time when the 
British troops were here, being the wives of some of the principal 
oflScers. The following is an extract from one of the letters of the 
Baroness Reidesel, originally published in Germany : — 

"But severe trials awaited us, and on the 7th of October, our misfortunes began. I was 
at breakfast with my husband, and heard that something was intended. On the same day 
I expected Generals Burgoyne, Phillips, and Frazer to dine with us. I saw a great move- 
ment among the troops ; my husband told me, it was merely a reconnoissance, which gave 
me no concern, as it often happened. I walked out of the house and met several Indians 
in their war dresses, with guns in their hands. When I asked them where they were go. 



* The following are the circumstances of his death : In the midst of the sanguinary 
battle of Oct. 7th, Colonel Morgan took a few of his choice riflemen aside and said, " That 
gallant officer is General Frazer ; / admire and respect him, but it is necessary that he 
should die ; take your stations in that wood, and do your duty." Within a few moments 
Gen. Frazer fell mortally wounded. He was supported by two officers, till he reached hi« 
tent ; he said he saw the man who shot him, that he was a rifleman posted in a tree. 

t His remains were taken up some years since, and conveyed to England. 



SARATOGA COUNTY. 505 

ing, they cried out, 'War! War!' (meaning tliey were going to bottle.) This filled me 
witli apprehension, and I scarcely got home before I lieard reports of cannon and musketry, 
which grew louder by degrees, till at last the noise became excessive. About four o'clock 
in the afternoon, instead of the guests whom I expected, General Frazer was brought on a 
litter mortally wounded. The table, which was already set, was instantly removed and a 
bed placed in its stead for the wounded general. I sat trembling in a corner ; the noise 
grew louder, and the alarm increased ; the thought that my husband might perhaps be 
brought in, wounded in the same way, was terrible to me, and distressed me exceedingly. 
General Frazer said to the surgeon, ' Tell me if my wound is mortal ; do not flatter me.' 
The ball had passed through his body, and unhappily for the general, he had eaten a very 
hearty breakfast, by which the stomach was distended, and the ball, as the surgeon said, 
had passed through it. I heard him often exclaim with a sigh, ' Oh, fatal ambition ! Poor 
General Burgoyne ! Oh, my poor wife !' He was asked if he had any request to make, to 
which he replied, that ' If General Burgoyne would permit it, he should like to be buried 
at six o'clock in the evening on the top of a mountain, in a redoubt which had been built 
there.' I did not know which way to turn, all the other rooms were full of sick. To- 
wards evening I saw my husband coming ; then I forgot all my sorrows, and thanked God 
that he was spared to me. He ate in great haste with me and his aid-de-camp behind the 
house. We had been told that we had the advantage of the enemy, but the soiTowful fa. 
ces I beheld told a different tale, and before my husband went away, he took me one side, 
and said every thing was going very bad, that I must keep myself in readiness to leave the 
place, but not to mention it to any one. I made the pretence that I would move the next 
morning into my new house, and had every thing packed up ready. 

" Lady H. Ackland had a tent not far from our house ; in this she slept, and the rest of 
the day she was in the camp. All of a sudden, a man came to tell her that her husband 
was mortally wounded and taken prisoner ; on hearing this she became very miserable ; 
we comforted her by telling her that the wound was only slight, and at the same time ad. 
vised her to go over to her husband, to do vi-hich she would certainly obtain permission, 
and then she could attend him herself; she was a charming woman, and very fond of him. 
I spent much of the night in comforting her, and then went again to my children, whom I 
had put to bed. I could not go to sleep, as I had General Frazer and all the other wound- 
ed gentlemen in my room, and I was sadly afraid my children would awake, and by their 
crying disturb the dying man in his last moments, who often addressed me, and apologized 
*for the trouble he gave me.'' About 3 o'clock in the morning I was told he could not hold 
out much longer ; I had desired to be informed of the near approach of this sad crisis, and 
I then wrapped up my children in their clothes, and went with them into the room below. 
About 8 o'clock in the morning he died. After he was laid out and his corpse wrapped up 
in a sheet, we came again into the room, and had this sorrowful sight before us the whole 
day ; and to add to this melancholy scene, almost every moment some officer of my ac- 
quaintance was brought in wounded. The cannonade commenced again ; a retreat was 
spoken of, but not the smallest motion was made towards it. About 4 o'clock in the after, 
noon I saw the house which had just been built for me in flames, and the enemy was now 
not far off. We knew that General Burgoyne would not refuse the last request of General 
Frazer, though by his acceding to it, an unnecessary delay was occasioned, by which the 
inconvenience of the army was much increased. At 6 o'clock the corpse was brought out, 
and we saw all the generals attend it to the mountain ; the chaplain, Mr. Brundell, per- 
formed the funeral service, rendered unusually solemn and awful, from its being accom. 
panied by constant peals from the enemy's artillery. Many cannon balls flew close by me; 
but I had my eyes directed towards the mountain, where my husband was standing amid 
the fire of the enemy, and of course, I could not think of my own danger. General Gates 
afterward said, that if he had known it had been a funeral, he would not have permitted it 
to be fired on." Lady Harriet Ackland went to the American camp after the action, to take 
care of her husband, before the surrender, and the Baroness Reidesel afterward. They 
were both received with the greatest kindness and delicacy. 

Waterford was taken from Half Moon in 1816. The village of 
Waterford, containing a population of about 1,600, is pleasantly situ- 
ated at the junction of the Mohawk with the Hudson, 10 miles north of 
Albany. The annexed view was taken on the road to Cahoos Falls, 
about a mile west of the village. There are here 4 churches — viz, 
1 Presbyterian, 1 Methodist, 1 Episcopal, and 1 Dutch Reformed — 
an academy, and a bank. It is favorably located for trade, being on 

64 



506 



SCHENECTADY COUNT V. 




TVestern view of Waterford.* 

the lines of the Champlain canal and Rensselaer and Saratoga rail 
road. It also derives considerable importance from the navigation 
of small vessels on the Hudson. There is an outlet here from the 
canal by three locks, each 11 feet, to the Mohawk river. The agri- 
cultural and manufactured products exported from the village an- 
nually, amount to about a million of dollars. The water-power used 
in the large manufacturing establishments at this place is derived 
from the Mohawk. Pop. 1,824. 

Wilton was taken from Northumberland in 1818. Pop. 1,438. 
Fortville, 19 miles NW. from Ballston Spa, and Wilton 15, are small 
settlements. 



SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 

Schenectady COUNTY was taken from Albany in 1809; centrally 
distant from New York 163, from Albany 18 miles. Greatest length 
25, greatest breadth 20 miles. The surface is much diversified by 
hills, plains, and valleys. The soil along the Mohawk and other 
streams is generally rich alluvion ; on the hills, light sandy loam, 
sometimes fertile ; and on the plains, clay and clayey loam, and sand, 
sometimes barren. Wherever practicable the country is generally 
well cultivated, chiefly by descendants of the primitive Dutch settlers, 
among whom are many wealthy farmers. The Mohawk river runs 
SE. through the county. The Schoharie kill, on the W., aflfords 
abundance of mill power. The Mohawk and Hudson, the Rensse- 

* Since the drawing for the above engraving was taken, and while this work was in 
press, a destructive fire broke out and destroyed a large portion of this flourishing village. 



SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 507 

laer and Saratoga, and the Utica and Schenectady railroads, and 
Erie canal, cross this county. The county is divided into five towns 
and the city of Schenectady. Pop. 17,233. 

DuANESBURG was taken from Schenectady in 1801. Pop. 3,338. 
Duanesburg is a small village, 12 miles SW. from Schenectady. Ea- 
ton's Corners, Mariahville, and Quakers Street, are post-offices. 

Glenville originally formed the fourth ward of Schenectady, 
from which it was taken April 14, 1820. Pop. 3,068. It derives its 
name from the Glen family, who were early and large proprieters. 
It is centrally distant 5 miles from Schenectady. Glenville Church 
village, 9 miles from the city, contains a Dutch Reformed church and 
6 or 8 dwellings. Scotia village lies on Sander's lake, about half a 
mile from Schenectady : it contains a Dutch Reformed church and 
about 30 dwellings. 

Scotia, the ancient name of Scotland, was the name given by its first settler. This tract 
commences at a point nearly opposite the eastern extremity of the city, and extends westerly 
along the north side of the Mohawk about two miles. The first patent conveying it was 
granted Nov. 3, 1665, by Governor Richard Nichols to Sanders Lendertse Glen, (Anglice, 
Alexander Lindsay Glen.) Mr. Glen was an immediate descendant of the Earl of Craw, 
ford and Lindsay, whose family had been on the peerage roll since 1399. Mr. Glen took 
to wife Catharine McDonald, the daughter of a Highland chieftain. He left Scotland ia 
the year 1645, to avoid persecution in consequence of the stand he had taken in reference 
to certain religious disputes which then agitated the country. He sided with the imfortu- 
nate Charles the First, who vainly strove to introduce the English liturgy into Scotland. 
Mr. Glen first emigrated into Holland, and engaged in mercantile pursuits for a number of 
years. He finally came to New York in company with a number of Dutch families. Here, 
and in Albany and Schenectady, he resided for a number of years. Some time previous to 
1690, he moved to Scotia. 

The country seat of Mr. Glen is still owned by his descendants, the Sanders family. 
Although it bears the advanced age of 123 years, it bids fair to outlive many of the flimsy 
structures which characterize the American architecture of the present century. The iron 
figures showing the date of its erection, (1713,) are still to be seen. During the French 
wars it was rendered defensible. At the foot of a small hillock, a few yards east of the 
mansion, tradition points to a spot where the Mohawks occasionally performed their sac- 
rifices. 

In the beginning of July, 1748, during the French and Indian war, a farmer named 
Daniel Toll, residing at Maulwyck, now Glenville, went in company with a favorite colored 
servant in search of some stray horses, at Boekendal, three miles from Schenectady. They 
soon heard, as they supposed, the trampling of horses, but on a nearer approach the sounds 
they mistook for that of horses' hoofs on the clayey ground proceeded from quoits with 
which some Indians were playing. Mr. Toll discovered his error too late, and fell pierced 
with the bullets of the savages. His servant escaped into Schenectady, and conveyed the 
news of the death of his master and the presence of the enemy. In less than an hour 
about 60 young men, the very elite of the city, were on their march as volunteers to the 
scene of action. Such was their zeal that they would not wait until the authorities had 
called out the miUtia, which they proposed to do in the afternoon of the day. Among the 
number, was a youth about twelve years of age, named Abraham Swits, whom they could 
not prevail upon without difficulty to return home. Without discipline or experience, and 
without a leader, they hastened to the Indian camp. Those in advance of the main body 
welre attracted by a singular sight. They saw a man resembling Mr. Toll, sitting near a 
fence, in an adjoining field, and a crow flying up and down before him. On coming nearer 
they discovered it to be the corpse of Mr. Toll, with a crow attached to it by a string. 
This proved to be a stratagem of the Indians to decoy their adversaries. The young men 
too readily fell into the snare, and were in a few moments surrounded by the Indians who 
had been laying in ambush. Their terrible war-cry was shouted, 

" And rapid, rapid whoops, came o'er the plain." 

Thus surprised, many were killed, and several taken prisoners ere they could make good 
their retreat. They however succeeded in reaching the dwelling of a Mr. De Grafl", in the 



508 SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 

neighborhood, which had been deserted for some time. While retreating, they continued 
firing upon the enemy. On leaching the house, they bolted the doors, and ascended to the 
second story. Here they tore off all the boards near the eaves, and through the opening 
thus made, succeeded in firing upon the savages with success and keeping them at bay. 
In the mean time, one of the prisoners, Derick. Vorst, who had been left in the charge of 
two young Indians, effected his escape. 

The two youngsters were anxious to see the fight, and secured their prisoner (as they 
thought) by tying him to a tree ; and then leaving him alone, he effected his escape by 
cutting the cord with his penknife. On the approach of the militia under Gen. Jacob Glen, 
the party were relieved from their perilous situation and the enemy retreated into Canada. 

The corpses of the killed, thirty-two in number, were brought into Schenectady on the 
evening of the massacre, and deposited in the large barn of Abraham Mabee, being the 
identical one now on the premises of John Walton, Esq., in church-street. The relatives 
of the deceased repaired thither to claim their departed kindred, and remove them for 
interment. 

" Touched by the melting scene, no tearless eye was there; 
All eyes were veil'd, as pass'd each much loved shroud, 
While woman's softer soul in wo dissolved aloud."* 

Neskayuna is derived from the Indian term, Con-nes-ti-gu-ne, sig- 
nifying " a field covered with corn." This is a small town, and was 
taken from Watervliet in 1809. Pop. G81. Its distance from Albany- 
is 12, and from Schenectady G miles. This name was formerly 
borne by an extensive tract on both sides of the Mohawk, granted 
partly by the Nestiogine and partly by the Connestiogine patents, 
which embraced portions of Clinton Park, Half Moon, Watervliet, 
and the 1st ward of Schenectady. Near the Mohawk is the village 
church and a few dwellings. The Ballston turnpike crosses the Mo- 
hawk at Alexander's bridge, 4 miles below Schenectady, where are 
some falls, a low rolling dam across the river, and several mills. 
The Erie canal is carried over the Mohawk here by an aqueduct 
748 feet long, 2.5 feet above the stream, and falls immediately after 
by 3 locks 21 feet. 

The following are the names which tradition has preserved of a few of the chiefs of the 
Coimestigiune l^uuid, who inhabited this section of country. Ro7i.ivarrigh.wok.go.wa, sig. 
nifying in English, the great fault-finder, or grumbler. Ka.na-da.rokh.go-wa — a great 
eater. Ro-ya-ner — a chief". As-sa-re-go — big-knife. A-roon-ta-go-wa — big-tree. Of these, 
the first made the greatest objections to aliening their lands to the whites ; and in every 
deed was careful to have a covenant inserted, by which the right of hunting and fishing 
was preserved to them. It was a common saying of his, that " after the whites have 
taken possession of our lands, they will make Kaut-sore (literally ' spoon food' or soup) of 
our bodies." Yet he was on the most friendly terms with the whites, and was never back- 
ward in extending to them his powerful influence and personal aid, during their expeditions 
against the Canadians during the French war. He took great delight in instructing the 
boys of the settlers in the arts of war. He was constantly complaining that the govern, 
ment did not prosecute the war against the French with sufficient vigor. The wittenage. 
mote or council fire of the Connesligiune band was held about a mile south of the village. 

Neskayuna was visited in 1687 by a spy from the Adirondack?, the allies of the French. 
Hunger drove him to the house of a Dutchman, by the name of Van Brakkle, where he de- 
voured an enormous quantity of the food set before him, which happened to be pork and peas. 
Although his movements had been marked with more than usual caution, the eagle-eye of 
" the Grumbler" detected him. He waylaid him on leaving the house of his entertainer, 
and after a short conflict made him bite the dust. Having separated the head of the corpse 
from the body, he repaired to the house of Van Brakkle, and threw the head into the win. 
dow, exclaiming to the owner, " Behold the head of your Pea-eater." 

* For the history of this town, Neskayuna, and other interesting matter relating to this 
region, we are indebted to a series of historical sketches written and published a few years 
since in the Schenectady Reflector, by Giles F. Yates, Esq., who was at the time its editor. 



SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 509 

The first white settlers in this town were the families of the Clutes, Vedders, Van Vran- 
kens, Groots, Tymesens, Pearces, and Claas Jansen Van Buckhoven, who afterward 
moved to Schenectady. Tradition says this village was settled simultaneously with Sche- 
nectady, in 1640. From an old document it appears that Harmon Vedder obtained a patent 
for some land here in 1664. 

Princetown, taken from Schenectady in 1798; from Albany 20 
miles. Pop. 1,184. Netterville is a small village, 7 miles SW. of 
Schenectady. 

Rotterdam, formerly the 3d ward of Schenectady ; taken from the 
city in 1820. Pop. 2,274. The Erie canal by three locks passes the 
flats. Rotterdam is a small manufacturing village, 4 miles W. from 
Schenectady. 

Schenectady city was incorporated in 1798. Its name, pronounced 
by the Indians Schagh-nac-taa-da, signifying " beyond the pine plains" 
was originally applied to Albany. The compact part of the city was 
in olden time the site of an Indian village called Con-nugh-harie- 
gugh-harie, literally, " a great multitude collected together." It is said 
that it was the principal seat of the Mohawks, even before the con- 
federacy of the Iroquois, or Five Nations. It was abandoned by 
them at a very early period in the colonial history. Some time pre- 
vious to 1620, it is stated that 15 or 20 persons, 12 of whom were 
direct from Holland, and the rest from Albany, settled here for the 
purpose of carrying on the fur trade. It appears from the Dutch 
records that the first grant of lands was made in 1G61, to Arent Van 
Corlaer and others, on condition that they purchased the soil from 
the Indians. The deed was obtained in 1672, and signed by four 
Mohawk chiefs. 

The compact part of Schenectady is on the SE. side of the Mo- 
hawk river, 15^ miles from Albany, and 15 SW. of Ballston springs. 
The plat is laid out on 20 streets crossing each other, running about 
one mile in one direction and half a mile in another, eight of which 
are diagonally intersected by the Erie canal. The city, which in 
some parts retains much of its ancient appearance, contains the county 
buildings, 1 Episcopal, 1 Dutch Reformed, 1 Presbyterian, 1 Baptist, 
1 Cameronian, 1 Methodist, 1 Universalist, and 1 Cathohc church, 
the Union College, Schenectady Lyceum, an academy, 3 banks, 
&c., &c. Pop. 6,688. The railroad from Albany to this place ex- 
tends across a sandy plain covered with pines and shrubbery ; it 
enters Schenectady by an inclined plane which descends 108 feet in 
half a mile. The Saratoga and Schenectady railroad passes through 
the city, crosses the Mohawk river on a substantial bridge between 
8 and 900 feet long, and extends in a northerly direction over a 
heavy embankment for three fourths of a mile to a deep cut, where 
the Utica railroad diverges to the west, and the Saratoga to the 
northeast. 

Union College, in this city, was incorporated by the regents in 
1794, and has reached its present flourishing condition from a small 
beginning. In 1785, a small academy was erected by the consistory 
of the Reformed Dutch church, which after the establishment of 



510 



SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 




Union College Buildings, Schenectady. 

Union College, was presented to its trustees, and used as a grammar 
school. Liberal donations from individuals, amounting to upwards 
of $30,000, raised a suite of edifices in the heart of the city, the prin- 
cipal one of which was afterward used as a courthouse, but having 
been repurchased by the institution, is now devoted to collegiate ob- 
jects. In 1814, the trustees purchased a site on the rising ground over- 
looking the Mohawk valley, a little E. of the compact part of the city. 
Two edifices have been erected at this place, each 200 feet long, 
about 40 wide, 4 stories high, standing in a line 600 feet apart ; a 
colonnade extending in the rear from each building 156 feet in length, 
by about 30 feet in width, and 2 stories high. The other college 
buildings are two boarding halls, farm-house, hospital house, for a 
professor, a number of tenements for servants, &c. The college has 
6 professors and 4 assistant professors, and in its several libraries 
about 13,000 volumes. The total value of the college property is 
upwards of $448,000. There are here about 300 students. 

The first clergyman of the Dutch church who settled at Schenectady was Petrus Tass. 
chemaker, from Holland, who assumed the pastoral charge in 1684. The first edifice for 
public worship was erected at the south end of Church. street, near the head of Water-street, 
between the years 1684 and 1698. Previous to this time meetings for worship were pro- 
bably held in private houses. In 1733, a more commodious edifice was erected in the cen. 
tre of the street where Union and Church streets cross each other. This church was very 
similar in its appearance to the one now standing in Caughnawaga, in the town of Mo- 
hawk. [See page 281.] 

" Before the settlement of Mr. Tasschemaker, the church-going people attended public 
worship in Albany ; a journey to which place, going and coming, consumed more than two 
days. The road to Albany must have been very circuitous, as all the records of that day, 
when alluding to Schenectady, speak of it as being situated ' twenty miles west of Albany.' 

" In February, 1690, when Schenectady was burnt by the French and Indians, Mr. Tass- 
chemaker disappeared very mysteriously. In 1702, the Rev. Thomas Brower, also from 
Holland, received a call, and served until his death in 1728. The Rev. Bernardus Free- 
man and Rhynhard Erkson served next in order; but how long is not known. In 1740, 
we find the name of Cornelius Van Santvoord, who came from Staten Island, as the settled 
clergyman. Two years after his decease, viz., in 1754, the Rev. Barent Vrooman, a na- 
tive of Schenectady, accepted a call and ministered until his decease in 1782. Mr. Vroo- 
man received his education in Holland ; as was the case with all the Dutch clergymen of 
that early day, before theological seminaries were established in this country. Mr. Vroo. 
man was succeeded by the Rev. Derick Romeyn, from Hackensack and Schallenburgh, 
New Jersey. Mr. Romeyn died in 1804, and was succeeded by the Rev. John H. Myers, 



SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 511 

from Paltz, New Jersey. Mr. Myers died in 1806. His successor was the Rev, Cornelius 
Bogardus, who died in 1813, and was succeeded by the Rev. Jacob Van Vechten. 

" The Episcopal church at Schenectady was founded by Mr. John W. Brown, who emi- 
grated from England previous to 1762. About this time measures were taken to erect a 
chapel. The principal benefactors were Sir William Johnson and John Duncan, Esq. 
Previous to the revolution this church owned a valuable library, which, together with the or- 
gan and a greater part of the interior work of the building, was destroyed by a gang of lawless 
white freebooters and some Indians. Strange as it may seem, these freebooters were whigs, 
whose prejudices against England were so great as to extend to every thing English. That 
this church was called the English church, and was supposed to be under the English in- 
fluence, formed a sufficient justification in their own view for its destruction. A project 
was set on fool to plunder Mr. Doty the pastor ; but fortunately the projectors were not ac- 
quainted with his person or place of abode, and as nobody would inform them, he escaped. 

" The Rev. WiUiam Andrews was probably the first pastor of this church. He was sue- 
ceeded in 1773 by the Rev. Mr. Doty, who left this place about the year 1777, in the heat 
of the revolutionary contest. From this time there was no settled minister until 1791, 
when the Rev. Ammi Robbins took the pastoral charge and continued until 1798. After 
him came the Rev. Mr. Whitmore, whose ministration ended in 1804. The Rev. Cyrus 
Stebbins was the next pastor ; and he was succeeded by the Rev. Pierre A. Proal in 1818." 

The war during the reign of William and Mary, in England, com- 
monly called "King William's War," commenced in 1690 and con- 
tinued about 7 years. In the depth of winter, Count Frontenac, 
governor of Canada, fitted out three expeditions against the colonies 
— one against New York, a second against New Hampshire, and a 
third against the province of Maine. The following, relating to the 
destruction of Schenectady, is extracted from the account given in 
Mr. Drake's " Book of the Indians." 

" After two-and-twenty days' march, the enemy fell in with Schenectady, February 8, 
1690. There were about 200 French, and perhaps 50 Caughnewaga Mohawks, and they 
at first intended to have surprised Albany ; but their march had been so long and tedious, 
occasioned by the deepness of the snow and coldness of the weather, that, instead of at. 
tempting any thing offensive, they had nearly decided to surrender themselves to the first 
English they should meet, such was their distressed situation, in a camp of snow, but a few 
miles from the devoted settlement. The Indians, however, saved them from the disgrace. 
They had sent out a small scout from their party, who entered Schenectady without even 
exciting suspicion of their errand. When they had staid as long as the nature of their 
business required, they withdrew to their fellows. 

" Seeing that Schenectady offered such an easy prey, it put new courage into the French, 
and they came upon it as above related. The bloody tragedy commenced between 11 and 
12 o'clock, on Saturday night ; and, that every house might be surprised at nearly the same 
time, the enemy divided themselves into parties of 6 or 7 men each. Although the town 
was empaled, no one thought it necessary to close the gates, even at night, presuming the 
severity of the season was a sufficient security ; hence the first news of the approach of the 
enemy was at every door of every house, which doors were broken as soon as the profound 
slumbers of those they were intended to guard. The same inhuman barbarities now fol- 
lowed, that were afterward perpetrated upon the wretched inhabitants of Montreal. ' No 
tongue,' said Col. Schuyler, ' can express the cruelties that were committed.' Sixty-three 
houses, and the church, were immediately in a blaze. Enciente women, in their expiring 
agonies, saw their infants cast into the flames, being first delivered by the knife of the mid- 
night assassin ! Sixty-three persons were put to death, and twenty.seven were carried into 
captivity. 

*' A few persons fled towards Albany, with no other covering but their night-clothes ; the 
horror of whose condition was greatly enhanced by a great fall of snow ; 25 of whom lost 
their limbs fi-om the severity of the frost. With these poor fugitives came the intelligence 
to Albany, and that place was in a dismal confusion, having, as usual upon such occasions, 
supposed the enemy to have been seven times more numerous than they really were. 
About noon, the next day, the enemy set off" irom Schenectady, taking all the plunder they 
could carry with them, among which were 40 of the best horses. The rest, with all the 
cattle and other domestic animals, lay slaughtered in the streets. 

" One of the most considerable men of Schenectady, at this time, was Capt. Alexander 



512 SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 

Glen. He lived on the opposite side of the river, and was suffered to escape, because he 
had delivered many French prisoners from torture and slavery, who had been taken by the 
Indians in the former wars. They had passed his house in the night, and, during the mas. 
sacre, he had taken the alarm, and in the morning he was found ready to defend himself. 
Before leaving the village, a French officer summoned him to a council, upon the shore of 
the river, with the tender of personal safety. He at length adventured down, and had the 
great satisfaction of having all his captured friends and relatives delivered to him ; and the 
enemy departed, keeping good their promise that no injury should be done him." 

Among those who made a successful defence and kept the foe at bay, was Adam 
Vrooman. Being well supplied with ammunition, and trusting to the strength of his build, 
ing, which was a sort of a fort, he formed the desperate resolution to defend himself to the 
last extremity ; and if it should prove his fate to perish in the ruins of his own domicil, to 
sell his own life and that of his children as dear as possible. Seconded in his efforts by 
one of his sons, who assisted in loading his guns, he kept up a rapid and continuous fire 
upon his assailants, and with the most deadly effect. His house was soon filled with 
smoke. His wife, nearly suffocated with it, cautiously, yet imprudently, placed the door 
ajar. This an alert Indian perceived, and firing through the aperture, killed her. In tho 
mean time, one of his daughters escaped from the back hall door with his infant child in 
her arms. They snatched the little innocent from her arms, and dashed out its brains ; and 
in the confusion of the scene the girl escaped. Their triumph here, however, was of short 
duration ; Mr. Vrooman succeeded in securely bolting the door and preventing the intru- 
sion of any of the enemy. On witnessing Mr. Vrooman's courage, and fearing greater 
havoc among their chosen band, the enemy promised, if he would desist, to save his life and 
not set fire to his building. This promise they fulfilled, but carried off two of his sons into 
captivity. 

The following additional particulars respecting this event are 
drawn from the account given by Charlevoix, a learned French 
Jesuit, distinguished for his travels and authentic historical works. 

" This party marched out before they had determined against what part of the English 
frontier they would carry their arms, though some part of New York was understood. 
Count Frontenac had left that to the two commanders. After they had marched 5 or 6 
days, they called a council to determine upon what place they would attempt. In this 
council, it was debated, on the part of the French, that Albany would be the smallest place 
they ought to undertake ; but the Indians would not agree to it. They contended that, 
with their small force, an attack upon Albany would be attended with extreme hazard. 
The French being strenuous, the debate grew warm, and an Indian chief asked them ' how 
long it was since they had so much courage.' To this severe rebuke it was answered, that, 
if by some past actions they had discovered cowardice, they should see that now they would 
retrieve their character ; they would take Albany or die in the attempt. The Indians, 
however, would not consent, and the council broke up without agreeing upon any thing 
but to proceed on. 

" They continued their march until they came to a place where their path divided into 
two ; one of which led to Albany, and the other to Schenectady : here Mantet gave up his 
design upon Albany, and they marched on harmoniously for the former village. The 
weather was very severe, and for the following 9 days the little army suffered incredible 
hardships. The men were often obliged to wade through water up to their knees, breaking 
its ice at every step. 

" At 4 o'clock ill the morning, the beginning of February, they arrived within two leagues 
of Schenectady. Here they halted, and the Great Agnier, chief of the Iroquois of the falls 
of St. Louis, made a speech to them. He exhorted every one to forget the hardships they 
had endured, in the hope of avenging the wrongs they had for a long time suffered from the 
perfidious English, who were the authors of them ; and in the close added, that they could 
not doubt of the assistance of heaven against the enemies of God, in a cause so just. 
Hardly had they taken up their line of march, when they met 40 Indian women, who gave 
them all the necessary information for approaching the place in safety. A Canadian, 
named Giguiere, was detached immediately with i) Indians upon discovery, who acquitted 
himself to the entire satisfaction of his officers. He reconnoitred Schenectady at his leisure, 
and then rejoined his comrades. It had been determined by the party to put off the attack 
one day longer ; but on the arrival of the scout under Giguiere, it was resolved to proceed 
without delay. 

" Schenectady was then in form like that of a long square, and entered by two gates, one 
at each end. One opened towards Albany, the other upon the great road leading into the 



SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 513 

back country, and which was now possessed by the French and Indians. Mantet and St. 
Helene charged at the second gate, which the Indian women before mentioned had assured 
them was always open, and they found it so. D'Iberville and Repentigni passed to the 
left, in order to enter by the other gale, but, after losing some time in vainly endeavoring 
to find it, were obliged to return and enter with their comrades. 

" The gate was not only open but unguarded, and the whole party entered without being 
discovered. Dividing themselves into several parties, they waylaid every portal, and then 
the war-whoop was raised. Mantet formed and attacked a garrison, where the only resist- 
ance of any account was made. The gate of it was soon forced, and all of the English fell 
by the sword, and the garrison was burned. P/Ionligni was wounded, in forcing a house, 
in his arm and body by two blows of a halberd, which put him hors du combat; but St. 
Helene being come to his assistance, the house was taken, and the wounds of Montigni 
revenged by the death of all who had shut themselves up in it. Nothing was now to be 
seen but massacre and pillage in every place. At the end of about two hours, the chiefs, 
believing it due to their safety, posted bodies of guards at all the avenues, to prevent sur- 
prise, and the rest of the night was spent in refreshing themselves. Mantet had given 
orders that the minister of the place should be spared, whom he had intended for his own 
prisoner ; but he was found among the promiscuous dead, and no one knew when he was 
killed, and all his papers were burned. 

" After the place was destroyed, the chiefs ordered all the casks of intoxicating liquors to 
be staved, to prevent their men from getting drunk. They next set all the houses on fire, 
excepting that of a widow, into which Montigni had been carried, and another belonging 
to Major Coudre : they were in number about 40, all well built and furnished; no booty 
but that which could be easily transported was saved. The lives of about 60 persons were 
spared ; chiefly women, children, and old men, who had escaped the fury of the onset, and 
30 Indians who happened to be then in the place. The lives of the Indians were spared 
that they might carry the news of what had happened to their countrymen, whom they 
were requested to inform, that it was not against them that they intended any harm, but to 
the English only, whom they had now despoiled of property to the amount of four hundred 
thousand pounds." 

The following ballad is an interesting relic of antiquity. It was 
written in 1690, to commemorate the destruction of Schenectady, and 
is composed something in the style of the celebrated " Chevy Chase." 

"A BALLAD, 

" In which is set forth the horrid crudities practised by the French and Indians on the 
night of the 8th of last February. The which I did compose last night in the space of one 
hour; and am now writing, the morning of Fryday, June 12th, 1690. W. W. 

" God prosper long our king and queen. Each door was sudden open broke 

Our lives and safeties all ; By six or seven men. 

A sad misfortune once there did ^he men and women, younge and olde, 

Schenectady befall. And eke the girls and boys. 

From forth the woods of Canada All started up in great aiTright, 

The Frenchmen tooke their way, Att the alarming noise. 

The people of Schenectady T^ey thg^ were murther'd in their beddes. 

To captivate and slay. Without shame or remorse ; 

They marched for two and twenty dales. And soone the floors and streets were strew'd 

All through the deepest snow ; With many a bleeding corse. 

And on a dismal winter night, rpj,e ^iHage soon began to blaze, 

They strucke the cruel blow. W^ich shew'd the horrid sight :— 

The lightsome sun that rules the day But, O, I scarce can beare to tell, 

Had gone down in the west ; The mis'ries of that night. 
And eke the drowsie villagers _ T},ey th^ew the infants in the fire. 

Had sought and found their reste. • -phe men they did not spare ; 

They thought they were in saftie ail. But killed all which they could find. 

And dreampt not of the foe : Though aged or tho' fair. 

But att midnight they aU awoke, q Christe ! In the still midnight air, 

In wonderment and woe. It sounded dismally ; 

For they were in their pleasant beddes, The women's prayers, and the loud screams 

And soundelie sleeping, when Of their great agony. 

65 



514 SCHENKCTADY COUNTY. 

Melhinks as if I hear them now And then their trail we did pursue, 

All ringing in my ear ; As was our true dutye. 

The shrieks and groans and woeful sighs ^j^^ Mohaques joynd our brave partye, 

They uttered in their fear. And followed in the chase, 

But some run off to Albany, Till we came up with the Frenchmen, 

And told the dolefull tale : Att a most likelye place. 

Yett though we gave our chearful aid, Our soldiers fell upon their rear, 

It did not much avail. And killed twenty-five ; 

And we were horribly afraid, Our young men were so much enrag'd 

And shook with terror, when They took scarce one alive. 

They told us that the Frenchmen were D'Aillebout them did commande, 

More than a thousand men. Which were but thievish rogues, 

The news came on the Sabbath morn Else why did they consent and goe. 

Just att the break of day, With bloodye Indian dogges ? 

And with a companie of horse And here I end the long ballad, 

I galloped away. The which you just have redde ; 

But soon we found the French were gone I wish that it may stay on earth 

With all their great bootye ; Long after I am dead. 

Albany, I2th of June, 1690. Walter Wilie. 

The annexed novel marriage which occurred somewhere in this 
vicinity is well worthy of preservation. 

About a century ago, saith tradition, when clergymen were not so plenty as they now 
are, a young gentlemen and his dulcinea were anxiously awaiting the happy day which was 
to see them united in the silken bands of matrimony. They resided on the north side of 
Tomhenick creek, and the clergyman who had been engaged to tie the knot lived on the 
south side of the same stream. As the fates would have it, heavy rains fell the night pre- 
vious to the nuptial day, which rendered the creek impassable. Its waters were rising, and 
its current becoming more rapid every hour. The clergyman arrived at the appointed time 
at a place where he had been in the habit of fording the creek ; but it was as much as his 
life was worth to attempt to cross it then. He turned his horse's head to return, when he was 
hailed by two voices on the opposite side of the stream — they were those of the groom and 
bride, who entreated him to stay. After some debate, it was agreed that the ceremony 
should proceed. In the mean time the friends of the betrothed arrived from the bride's house 
in the neighborhood. Then was presented a singular spectacle, " the like whereof was 
never seen before," and probably will not be again. The dominie read the marriage ser. 
vice, on the margin of the creek, while the parties stood on the opposite side. After the 
ceremony was over, the groom tossed a few guilders across the creek, which the dominie 
picked up and pocketed as his fee, mounted his horse and proceeded homewards, and the 
married couple did the same. 

The following inscriptions are copied from a monument in the 
graveyard near the Presbyterian church. 

" Jonathan Edwards, S. T. D. North, reip. Mass., natus, A. D. 1745, coll. Nassov, A. B. 
1765, et eodem tutor, 1767, ordinibus ecclesise sacris Nov. Port. Connect, reip. initiatus, 
1769 iisdemq. Coluni, 1796, atque coll. Concord Schenect. N. Ebor praeses, 1799. — Vir 
ingenio acri, justi tenax propositi, doctrina vere eximia maxime imbutus atque praeditus, 
christianae fidei intemeratae defensor tum fervidus tum praevalidus, et in moribus intami- 
natis enituit magnum sui desiderium bonis omnibus reliquit, die 1 mo. Aug. anno salutis 
humanae, 1801." 



" Mariae, Jonathani Edwards conjugis dilectissimae, nee non memor hoc est etiam mon- 
umentum. Ipsa urbanitate, moribus, pietate^^viro optimo dignissima, aquis, eheu ! sub- 
mersa fuit, Nov. Port. reip. Connect. Anno Domini, 1782. Eademque urbs rehquas ipsius 
habet." 

[Jonathan Edwards, D. D., born at Northampton, Mass., A. D. 1745 ; graduated at the 
college of New Jersey in 1765, where he was tutor in 1767 ; ordained to the ministry of 
the gospel at New Haven, Conn., in 1769, and also at Colebrook in 1796; and president 
of Union college at Schenectady, New York, in 1799. He was a man of acute mind, finn 
in his opinion, thoroughly versed and skilled in true learning, the intrepid defender, alike 



SCHOHARIE COUNTY. 515 

earnest and successful, of the Christian faith, and conspicuous for the purity of his life. He 
died amid the grief of all good men, on the first day of August, in the year of our Lord 
1801.] 

[Maria, the beloved wife of Jonathan Edwards, is also commemorated by this monu. 
ment. In urbanity, goodness, and piety, she was most worthy of that excellent man. In 
1782, she was unfortunately drowned at New Haven, Connecticut, where her remains 
repose.] 



SCHOHARIE COUNTY. 

Schoharie* county was taken from Albany and Otsego counties 
in 1795 : greatest length N. and S. 30, greatest breadth E. and W. 
25 miles. Centrally distant NW. from New York 150, from Albany 
W. 42 miles. In the western part of this county is the dividing ridge 
between the waters of the Mohawk and those of the Susquehannah 
and Delaware. In the eastern part it has the Cattskill and Helle- 
bergf mountains. It has the valley of the Schoharie creek north 
and south thi'ough its centre, along which the alluvial flats are very 
extensive, with a soil of loam and vegetable mould, peculiarly rich 
and fertile. Much of the surface of this county is hilly, with some 
of a mountainous character. The soil of the uplands is of various 
qualities, generally better adapted to grass than to grain. The Scho- 
harie creek, a large tributary of the Mohawk, has its rise in Green 
county, and flows northward through the centre of this county. In 
its course it receives several smaller streams, the principal of which 
are the Cobelskill on the west, and Foxes creek on the east. The 
Cattskill has its source in the eastern part of the county, and the 
Delaware and Susquehannah in the western. The county is well 
watered, and possesses many fine mill sites. In the towns of Sum- 
mit, Jefferson, Blenheim, Broome, and the uplands of Middleburg and 
Fulton, the tenure of the soil is generally held by lease ; the fee- 
simple being in proprietors of large tracts ; but in these towns, there 
are many tracts upon the creek, which the Germans have taken up 
in fee, the common tenure of the northern towns. The towns of 
Schoharie, Cobelskill, Sharon, Fulton, Middleburg, and portions of 
Blenheim and Broome, have a population of German origin. The 
German language prevails among the older inhabitants, but their 
children are educated and converse in English. The early settlers 
suffered much from Indian hostilities, and during the revolution the 
country was overrun by the Bi'itish and Indians under Sir John 
Johnson, Brant, and the infamous Walter Butler. The county is di- 
vided into 1 1 towns. At the commencement of the revolution this 

* Schoharie, Indian name for driftwood. 

t Helleberg, German — Helderburg, Dutch. The early settlers of Schoharie passed over 
this mountain on their route thither, and gave it this name, which signifies the " sightly 
hill." — J. R. Simma. 



516 SCHOHARIE COUNTY. 

whole territory scarcely contained 1,000 inhabitants ; the greater 
part of these inhabited the valley of the Schoharie river. The pop- 
ulation in 1840 was 32,351. 

BlenheiiM, organized in 1797; from Albany W. 44 miles. Pop. 
2,726. North Blenheim, 15 miles S. from Schoharie, and Blenheim, 
are small villages. 

Broome, originally named Bristol, was organized in 1797 ; centrally 
distant S. from Schoharie 15 miles. Pop. 2,404. Gilboa, Broome, 
Livingstonville, Plattakill, and Smithtown, are small villages or 
settlements. The monument of David Williams, who died in this 
town, is at Livingstonville, and has the following inscription : " David 
Williams, the only surviving captor of Andre, died August 1st, 1831, 
aged 77. Amor patrice vincit," (the love of country conquers.) 

Carlisle, taken from Cobelskill and Sharon in 1807; from Scho- 
harie NW. 10 miles. Pop. 1,850. Carlisle and Grosvenors Cor- 
ners are small villages. 

Cobelskill* was formed from Schoharie in 1797. Near the brick 
meeting-house is one of those subterraneous streams common to 
limestone countries. Cobelskill, 10 miles W. of Schoharie, Law- 
yersville, Punchkill, Richmondville, and Mann's Valley, are small vil- 
lages. 

In the summer of 1779, a party of Onondaga Indians, after the de- 
struction of their town by Col. Van Schaick, made an incursion into 
this section, the account of which is thus given by Campbell in his 
Annals : — 

" There was at this time a little settlement, consisting of only nineteen families, on the 
Cobbleskill creek, ten miles west of Schoharie. Though they had erected no fortifica- 
tions, they had prepared for defence, by organizing a company of militia, and procuring 
arms and ammunition. About the middle of May, it was reported at a meeting of the 
militia, ihat some straggling Indians had been seen in the neighborhood, and a scout of 
three men, one of whom was suspected of being secretly a royahst, was sent out into the 
forest. On the return of the scout, they met two Indians near the settlement, who accost, 
ing them in friendly terms, and pretending to be hunting, were suffered to pass. The In- 
dians took a circuitous route, and in a short time met them again. The suspected individ- 
ual had now disappeared, having taken a different path to the settlement. The Indians still 
pretended friendship ; one of them familiarly took the musket from one of the men, and 
knocking out the flint, handed it back. The other attempted the same thing, but his ad- 
versary perceiving his intention, shot him. His companion fled, and the men returned to 
the settlement. This circumstance, together with a rumor that a large body of Indians 
were on their march for Schoharie, excited fears that this little settlement would be the 
first object of their revenge. They immediately despatched a messenger to Schoharie 
with the intelligence, and directed him to ask for assistance. A part of a company of con- 
tinental soldiers, under the command of Captain Patrick, was sent the same day to Cobbles, 
kill. The next morning a party of Indians were seen to cross the creek and return again 
into the woods. A small detachment of men were sent in pursuit. These were soon 
driven back by superior force. Captain Patrick then marched the whole of his little band, 
and 15 volunteers of the militia, to their support. The Indians were driven back, but soon 
made a stand, and after firing again retreated. They continued to retreat, disputing the 
ground at every step, evidently increasing in number, until the conflict became exceeding- 

* Mr. .Tephtha R. Simms, of Fultonville, who is at present writing a history of Scho- 
harie county and its vicinity, for which object he has taken pains in collecting authentic 
and original information, in a letter to the authors thus alludes to the orthography of this 
name. " Cobelskill has been written Cobuskill, Cobbleskill, and as I write it. In the laws 
which record the forniation of that town, it is spelled Cobelskill. The name of the man 
after whom it was called was Cobel." 



SCHOHARIE COUNTY. 617 

]y fierce. Captain Patrick was at first wounded, and afterward killed, when his men 
sought safety in flight. The Indians immediately pursued them, and at the same instant 
the main body, which had been concealed in the thickets, rushed forth, and with deafening 
yells poured a shower of rifle balls upon the fugitives ; their number, as afterward ascer- 
tained, was about 300. 

" The death of Captain Patrick alone saved his men from entire destruction ; in a few 
moments more they would have been surrounded, and their retreat cut off". 

" The inhabitants of the settlement, as soon as they saw the fugitives emerging from the 
woods, pursued by the Indians, fled in an opposite direction, and all arrived safe at Scho- 
harie ; their escape was favored by the desperate resistance of seven of the soldiers, who, 
taking possession of a house, fired from the windows, and checked the pursuit of the ene- 
my. The Indians at length succeeded in setting the house on fire, and six of its brave de- 
fenders perished in the flames ; the other was afterward found a few rods distant, much 
burned, and horribly mutilated ; a roll of continental money was put in his hand, as if in 
derision of the cause which he supported. The enemy set fire to the buildings in the vi- 
cinity, and after burying their dead and mangling the dead bodies of the soldiers, retired 
without pursuing the fugitives further. Of the 45 who went out, 21 escaped, 22 were 
killed, and 42 taken prisoners. The Indians suffered severely." 

General James Dana moved into this town soon after the revolu- 
tionary war, and was a resident till his death. He was born in Ash- 
ford, Connecticut, October 10th, 1732. The following notice re- 
specting this meritorious officer is from the manuscript of I. H. 
Tiffany, Esq., of Fultonville, which he has drawn up with care and 
accuracy. Most of the facts here stated were related to Mr. Tiffa- 
ny by General Dana himself, January 7th, 1816. 

He appears to have commenced his military career among the provincial troops, under 
Sir William Johnson. He assisted in building the fort at Lake George, and was at the 
battle of Lake Champlain, where the fortification was attacked by the French, and General 
Johnson wounded. At the commencement of the American revolution, he was a captain 
in Colonel Storr's regiment, in General Putnam's brigade of Connecticut militia. He ar- 
rived at the American camp at Cambridge, where General Ward commanded, immediately 
after the affair at Lexington. He was among the troops ordered to throw up a breastworli 
on Bunker's Hill. A half-moon fortification of facines and dirt was erected during the 
night. Colonel Prescott was the engineer ; he requested Captain Dana's orderly sergeant 
to assist in laying out the fortification. The British embarked at Winnimesset ferry. 

When the second division of 500 troops landed, they marched up Maiden river to gain 
the rear of the American fortification. This movement was first perceived by Captain Da- 
na, and communicated to General Putnam. By his orders, 500 of the Connecticut troops 
were marched down and took up their position, and formed two deep behind a fence. Cap- 
tain (afterward Colonel) Knowlton commanded this detachment. Captain Dana was the 
second in command. Putnam, in giving his directions, said to these officers, " Do you re- 
member my orders at Ticonderoga ?" " Yes," was the reply : " you told us not to fire till 
we could see the whites of the enemy's eyes." " Well," says Putnam, " I give the same 
orders now." 

The British advanced with muffled drums and soft fifes ; the officers and soldiers got 
over the fence south of the American line. Captain Dana was posted in the centre, to- 
wards which the British column was advancing. The order was, " death to any man who 
fired before Captain Dana." When the column was eight rods distant, Dana ordered the 
rear rank down flat. At this word the British officer faced about and ordered the column 
to display from the centre. At that instant Captain Dana, Lieutenant Grosvenor, and 
crderly-sergeant Fuller fired, and the British commanding officer (supposed to be Major 
Pitcairn) fell mortally wounded. The British troops broke and retreated, formed and ad- 
vanced again, which probably occupied thirty minutes. When they arrived at the fence 
they fired. Lieutenant Grosvenor was wounded in the hand, and a bullet also passed 
through a rail and lodged in his shirt, flatted and harmless. Captain Knowlton's musket 
barrel was broken oflf by a cannon ball. Lieutenant Grosvenor bound up his hand and re. 
tired from the field. Within four or five minutes after Grosvenor was wounded, a cannon 
ball struck a rail against Dana's breast, which knocked him down breathless. He however 
recovered, and remained until the line was ordered ofl". When he arrived at his quarters, 
h<. was confined to his room, and unable to dress or undress himself for several days. 

The first countersign given by General Washington after the battle of Bunker Hill was 



518 SCHOHARIE COUNTY. 

" Knowlton," and the parole " Dana." In July, after the battle of Bunker Hill, an oration 
was delivered by Dr. Leonard, Washington's chaplain. After the oration and declaration 
had been pronounced, an aid of General Washington advanced from the head-quarters, 
bearing the American standard, with an order from the general directed to Captain Dana 
to receive it, and carry it three times around the front or interior circle of the army; further- 
more, that in so doing he must not let the colors fall, as it would be considered as ominous 
of the fall of America. The captain declined, fearful of his ability to perform this duty in a 
proper manner. The aid returned to head-quarters with the apology : but soon came back, 
with General Putnam, who, in his familiar way, clapped Captain Dana upon the shoulder, 
and said, " God curse it, Dana, you look like a white man ; take the colors, clear away." 
The army immediately opened a passage to the right and left for his excellency Gen. 
eral Washington, and the other officers. The next day the general in his orders expressed 
the most flattering approbation of the manner in which Captain Dana had performed the 
ceremony of displaying the flag. 

Captain Dana was 6 feet and 1 inch in height, noble and commanding in his appearance, 
but modest and retiring in his manners. He was frequently offered promotion in the army, 
but uniformly decHned. The celebrated General Eaton, afterward so distinguished in the 
war with Tripoli, was at the age of fifteen his waiter and secretary. He was put under 
Captain Dana at the request of his father. After the close of the revolution, Captain Dana 
removed to Cobelskill, where he occupied a small log-cabin or house till his death. Not- 
withstanding his humble circumstances, the legislature of New York, in consequence of 
his meritorious services in the revolution, appointed him a brigadier-general, being the first 
who held that office in the county of Schoharie. 

CoNEsviLLE, taken from Broome in 1836, is the SE. corner town 
of the county ; from Schoharie centrally distant 20 miles. Pop. 
1,621. Cones ville is a post-office, Strikersville is a small settle- 
ment near the western line. 

Fulton, taken from Middleburg in 1828 ; from Albany 42 miles. 
On Stoney creek, in this town, there is a fall of nearly 100 feet per- 
pendicular. Byrnville, 14 miles SW. from Schoharie, Fultonham, 
and Breakabeen, are small settlements. Pop. 2,146. 

Jefferson, taken from Blenheim in 1803 ; from Albany 57, from 
Schoharie SW. 20 miles. Pop. 2,033. This town is inhabited by east- 
ern emigrants and their descendants, who are extensively engaged in 
the dairy business and grazing. Lake Utsayanthe, a small pond here, 
is the source of the Mohawk branch of the Delaware. Jefferson is 
a small village. 

Middleburg was taken from Schoharie in 1797 ; from Albany 37 
miles. Pop. 3,841. The inhabitants are principally of Dutch or 
German origin. Middleburg, on the Schoharie river, 5 miles S. from 
Schoharie, is a village containing about 50 dwellings. Huntersland 
and Franklinton are small settlements. 

Remains of the old Middle Fort, noted in the revolutionary annals, 
are now to be seen a short distance from Middleburg village, on the 
plain east of the road to Schoharie. The Upper Fort was 5 miles 
SE., near the margin of the Schoharie river, in the present limits of 
Fulton, — the lower was at the village of Schoharie, 5 miles N. This 
last was built for a church, and is at present used as such. [See 
Schoharie.] The annexed account of the attack on the Middle Fort 
by the British and Indians, is taken from the " Life and Adventures 
of Timothy Murphy, the Benefactor of Schoharie," a pamphlet pub- 
lished in 1839. 

" In the fall of 1780, the enemy, about 800 strong, under Sir John Johnson, made pre- 
parations for destroying the valleys of Schoharie and the Mohawk. The forces, consisting 



SCHOHARIE COUNTY. 51 & 

of British regulars, loyalists, tories, and Indians, assembled on the Tioga, and marched 
thence up along the eastern branch of the Susquehannah, and crossed thence to Schoharie. 
On the 16th of October, they encamped about four miles above the upper fort. It was 
their intention to pass the upper fort in the night, and to attack the middle fort at daybreak : 
as it was expected that the upper fort would be the first object of attack, they hoped to sur- 
prise the middle fort by this unexpected movement. Sir John had ordered his troops to be 
put in motion at four in the morning, but from some mistake it was five before they began 
their march ; consequently the rear guard was discovered by the sentinels of the upper fort, 
and the alarm gun was fired, which was quickly answered from the other forts, and 20 rifle, 
men, under the supervision of Timothy Murphy,* were sent out from the middle fort to watch 
the motions of the enemy ; they soon fell in with the advanced party, and retreated back. 
The firing of the alarm gun disappointed the enemy, and became the signal for them to com- 
mence the destruction of the settlement ; houses, barns, and stacks of hay were burned, 
and cattle, sheep, and horses were killed or driven away. 

" The Indians being in advance of the regular forces, were the first to approach the fort. 
Murphy, whose eye was ever watching the enemy, had stationed himself in a ditch a few 
rods south of the fort, that he might, unperceived, the better view the movements of the 
enemy. The Indians approached to within about eighty yards of the fort, when Murphy 
fired upon them ; and as he arose the second time to fire, a bullet struck within a few 
inches of his face, and glanced over his head, throwing dirt in his eyes. He then ran into 
the fort, not however without bringing to the ground another Indian, 

* Murphy, who was of great service to the inhabitants of Schoharie, was a native of 
Virginia, and had belonged to Morgan's rifle corps, in which he had distinguished himself 
as a marksman. After the capture of Burgoyne, the company to which he belonged was 
ordered to Schoharie, where it remained until their term of service expired. When the 
company was disbanded. Murphy and some others remained, and served in the militia ; his 
skill in the desultory war which the Indians carry on, gave him so high a reputation, that 
though not nominally the commander, he usually directed all the movements of the scouts 
that were sent out, and on many important occasions the commanding officers found it 
dangerous to neglect his advice ; his double rifle, his skill as a marksman, and his fleetness 
either in retreat or pursuit, made him an object both of dread and of vengeance to the In- 
dians ; they formed many plans to destroy him, but he always eluded them, and sometimes 
made them sufler for their temerity. 

He fought the Indians in their own way, and with their own weapons. When circum- 
stances permitted, he tomahawked and scalped his fallen enemy ; he boasted after the war 
that he had slain forty of the enemy with his own hand, more than half of whom he had 
scalped ; he took delight in perilous adventures, and seemed " to love danger for danger's 
sake." Tradition has preserved the account of many of his exploits ; but there are so 
many versions of the same story, and so much evident fiction mixed with the truth, that we 
shall give but a single instance as a proof of the dread with which he was regarded by the 
Indians. 

They were unable to conjecture how he could discharge his rifle twice without having 
time to reload ; and his singular good fortune in escaping unhurt, led them to suppose that 
he was attended by some invisible being who warded off" their bullets, and sped his with 
unerring certainty to the mark. When they had learned the mystery of his double-barrelled 
gun, they were careful not to expose themselves too much until he had fired twice, know, 
ing that he must have time to reload his piece before he could do them further injury. 

One day, having separated from his party, he was pursued by a number of Indians, all 
of whom he outran excepting one ; Murphy turned round, fired upon this Indian, and killed 
him. Supposing that the others had given up the pursuit, he stopped to strip the dead, 
when the rest of his pursuers came in sight. He snatched the rifle of his faflen foe, and 
with it killed one of his pursuers ; the rest, now sure of their prey, with a yell of joy heed- 
lessly rushed on, hoping to make him their prisoner ; he was ready to drop down with fa. 
tigue, and was likely to be overtaken, when, turning round, he discharged the remaining 
barrel of his rifle, and killed the foremost of the Indians ; the rest, astonished at his firing 
three times in succession, fled, crying out that he could shoot all day without loading. — 
Annals of Tryon county. 

" In stature. Murphy was about 5 feet 6 inches, and very well proportioned, with dark 
complexion, and an eye that would kindle and flash like the very lightning when excited. 
He was exceedingly quick in all his motions, and possessed an iron frame that nothing ap- 
parently could efl^ect. And what is very remarkable, his body was never wounded or scar- 
red during the whole war." 



520 SCHOHARIE COUNTY. 

" About 8 o'clock the enemy commenced a regular attack on the fort, which was re 
turned with effect from the garrison. The regular troops fired a few cannon shot, and 
threw a number of shells, one of which burst in the air above the fort, doing no injury; 
another entered and burst in the upper loft of the fort, doing no other mischief than destroy- 
ing a quantity of bedding, and nearly frightening to death a little Frenchman who had fled 
to the chamber for protection, and came running down stairs, at the same time exclaiming, 
' de diable pe among de fedders.' The interior of the fort was several times on fire, but 
was as often extinguished by the exertions of the women. The Indians retreated behind 
a row of willow trees, and kept up a constant fire, but at too great a distance to do effect. 
In the fort, all was gloom and despondency; the garrison only amounted to 150 regular 
troops, and about 100 militia. Their ammunition was nearly exhausted — to attempt to de- 
fend the fort, appeared to be madness ; — to surrender, was to deliver up themselves, their 
wives and children to immediate death, or at least to a long captivity. Major Wolsey, 
who commanded the fort, was inclined to surrender on the first appearance of the enemy, 
but was prevented by the officers of the militia, who resolved to defend it or to die in the 
contest. Wolsey's presence of mind forsook him in the hour of danger ; he concealed him- 
self at first with the women and children in the house, and when driven out by the ridicule 
of his new associates, he crawled round the intrenchments on his hands and knees, amid 
the jeers and bravos of the militia, who felt their courage revive as their laughter was ex 
cited by the cowardice of the major. In times of extreme danger, every thing which has 
a tendency to destroy reflection by exciting risibility has a good effect. 

" The enemy, perceiving that their shot and shells did little or no execution, formed 
under shelter of a small building near the fort, and prepared to carry the works by assault. 
While the preparations were making, a flag was seen to approach the fort ; all seemed in- 
chned to admit it, when Murphy and Bartholomew Vroman, who suspected that it was 
only an artifice to learn the actual strength of the garrison, and aware that for them at least 
there was no safety in capitulation, fired upon the flag. The flag retired, and some soldiers 
were ordered to arrest Murphy ; but so great was his popularity among the soldiers, that no 
one dared to obey. The flag approached a second time, and was a second time driven 
back by Murphy and his adherents. A white flag was then ordered to be raised in the 
fort, but Murphy threatened with instant death any one who should obey. The enemy 
sent a flag the third time, and on Murphy's turning to fire upon it, Wolsey presented his 
pistol and threatened to shoot him if he did ; — but not in the least intimidated by the major's 
threat. Murphy very deliberately raised his rifle, and pointing it towards him, firmly replied, 'I 
will die before they shall have me prisoner.' Major Wolsey then retired to his room, where 
he remained until Col. Vroman was despatched in search of him. He was found covered 
up in bed, trembling like a leaf. Col. Vroman accosted him, ' Was you sent here to sneak 
away so, when we are attacked by the tories and Indians ? and do you mean to give up 
the fort to these bloody rascals ?' — To which Major Wolsey made no reply, but consented 
to yield up the command to Col. Vroman. At this change of officers, unanimous joy per- 
vaded the whole fort. And even the women* smiled to behold the portly figure of Col. 
Vroman stalking about the fort — directing and encouraging the soldiers in his melodious 
Low Dutch notes. 

" The British officers now held a council of war, and after a short consultation with- 
drew ; and then proceeded down the Schoharie creek, burning and destroying every thing 
t)iat lay in their way. The loss of the garrison in this affair was only one killed and two 
wounded, one mortally. It is not known what loss the enemy sustained, or why they re- 
treated so hastily." 

Schoharie was organized in 1788, as part of Albany county: it 
has a hilly surface, with extensive valleys on the Schoharie and Fox 
creeks. The Schoharie creek, at this place, is about 10 rods wide, 
and the flats on its borders are from 1 to 2 miles wide and of sur- 
passing fertility. Pop. 5,532. Schoharie village, the county seat, 

* "One of them," says Col. Stone, in his Life of Brant, "an interesting young woman, 
whose name yet lives in story among her own mountains, perceiving, as she thought, symp- 
toms of fear in a soldier who had been ordered to a well without the works, and within 
range of the enemy's fire, for water, snatched the bucket from his hands, and ran forth for 
it herself. Without changing color, or giving the slightest evidence of fear, she drew and 
brought bucket after bucket to the thirsty soldiers, and providentially escaped without in 
jury." * 



SCHOIIARIK COUNTY. 



521 




Southeast view in the central part of Schoharie. 

lies on the flats, near the junction of Schoharie and Fox creeks, 32 
miles W. of Albany. It contains about 100 dwellings, the county 
buildings, 1 Lutheran and 1 Dutch Reformed church, and an aca- 
demy. The above engraving is a SW. view in the central part 
of the village : the courthouse, a stone building 3 stories high, is seen 
on the right ; the Lutheran church and the academy in the distance. 

"In the year 1709, a number of families from the Palatinates in Germany, induced by 
the liberal offers made by Queen Anne, embarked for New York, and having proceeded up 
the Hudson as far as Albany, landed, and selected a few of their number to choose a place 
for a settlement. Of these, some went to Schenectady, and thence up the Mohawk, 
where a settlement of Germans had been formed a few years previous : the others, hearing 
of a beautiful country to the southwest, penetrated the wilderness in that direction ; and 
after travelling through a hilly, and in some parts mountainous country, arrived the second 
day on the height of land east of the Schoharie creek. 

" Here a scene of extraordinary beauty, and to them entirely new, burst upon their sight. 
At their feet, and far below them, was a plain of limited extent, embosomed by hills, in 
some places rising abruptly to the height of 1000 feet, and in others of more gentle ascent, 
and broken by deep ravines. The declivity of the hills was covered with a stinted growth 
of oak, too scanty to hide even from a distant view the rocks amid which they grew, and 
forming a striking contrast with the stately forest and luxuriant vegetation of the plain be- 
low. The valley had been partially cleared, and the alternate spots of woodland and 
meadow, interspersed with clumps of trees, added variety and richness to the landscape. 
Along its western boundary ran the Schoharie creek, now washing the base of the hill, 
now meandering through the flats ; its course marked through the woodlands by the deep 
green of the trees along its bank, and through the meadows by the elms that lined its bor- 
ders ; sometimes its course was hidden from the view by the thick foliage, and again, as its 
channel spread out wider, or its course inclined to the east, its clear waters were seen glit- 
tering in the sunbeams. No traces of any occupants of this valley were seen, except here 
and there the ruins of a deserted wigwam. 

" The travellers returned to Albany, and gave so flattering an account of the country 
which they had visited, that the whole company started immediately for Schoharie, without 
waiting for the return of their friends from the Mohawk. The place they chose for a set- 
tlement had formerly been occupied by a part of the Mohawk tribe of Indians ; but they 
had most of them now left it. The settlers were illy provided with implements of hus- 
bandry, and with many of the necessaries of life, which wants were severely felt during 
many years. Whether they paid the Mohawks an equivalent for the land, tradition does 
not inform ue. It was not, however, until several years after, that they obtained a grant 

66 



522 SCHOHARIE COUNTY. 

from government. A commission was sent to grant them a title in the name of the crown, 
and to extend to them the protection of the laws. Believing this to be a pretence for ex- 
acting taxes froni fhem, and remembering their former oppression, they drove off the com- 
missioners, and refused to accept his proposals. A part left the settlement, and went up 
the Mohawk, and the remainder were finally prevailed upon by threats and persuasion to 
accept the terms offered by the government agent." — Annals of Tryon county. 

The following extracts are from a pamphlet publication by Mr. 
John M. Brown, entitled " A brief sketch of the first settlement of 
the county of Schoharie by the Germans," published in 1823. 

" Schoharie was first iiihabiied by a French Indian prisoner, married to a Mohawk squaw. 
His name was Kaiigondonte, whose father-in-law sent hini there, for fear that the Mohawk 
Indians would kill him when they got drunk, and gave him land, as the Mohawk bore a 
great enmity to the French. Other Indians, Mohawk, Mohegan, Discarora, Delaware, and 
Oneidas, flocked to him, so that he increased to a nation about 300 strong, and establish- 
ed chiefs among them ; who then pretended to be the owners of all that vast territory of 
land, and granted conveyances thereof. 

" Queen Anne having intended to settle America, sent her agent to purchase land from 
the natives ; for which purpose she sent messengers to Germany, to invite people to come 
over and settle, and promised that tiiey should have the land they possessed, free. In con- 
sequence whereof, many came over ; and a purchase was made, beginning near little Scho- 
harie creek, at high-water mark of the big Schoharie river, and at an oak stump, burned 
out hollow by the Indians to serve for stamping their corn ; where a stone heap was erected 
which stands to this day. The Indian seal of a turtle and a snake was cut on the stump, 
(here I must digress a little, and mention that the said stump or stamp block, served the 
Germans for their first grist-mill,) from thence down to the north, including all the low land 
on both sides of the creek, for the space of about eight miles, containing 20,000 acres. 

" . . . . Now being safe arrived, in the first week after three children were born, namely, 
Johanes Earhart, Wilhelmus Bouck, and Elizabeth Lawyer ; they found the land good, and 
much of the flats clear. The Indians, who were all the people they found, having shifted, 
they went to work and planted corn, which they got of the natives ; and in working the 
ground with their broad hoes, they found a potatoe-like root, which they called earth-acorns : 
also another, they called earih-beans, which they cooked or roasted, and so served them 
for food. 

" In the fall of 1713, Lambert Sternbergh carried a spint of wheat along the Indian foot- 
path from Schenectady to Schoharie ; there sowed or rather planted it over more than an 
acre of ground, which grew well ; and the next year he reaped and threshed it, and meas. 
ured 83 skipple out of it. This was the first wheat ever raised in Schoharie ; and by about 
40 years after, it was reckoned that one year in another, they carried 36,000 skipple, 
[27,000 bushels,] to Albany. 

" Now the new inhabitants soon began to think themselves well off. By their industry, 
and great fertility of the soil, they soon got plenty to eat — wore moggisins, buckskin 
breeches and jackets of leather, which they plentifully obtained of the Indians. Nine of 
them owned the first horse, which was a gray. But now a new and very great difficulty 
was felt : they had no grist-mills, no teams, no horses, no roads fit for passage, but Indian 
foot-paths. They stamped, and also peeled their corn by help of lye, and then cooked it 
to eat. Their wheat they carried to Schenectady to grind, a space of 19 miles, every man 
about a skipple to his load : sometimes there would go 20 in a drove, often men and wo- 
men together. This they had to do for 3 or four years, until a grist-mill was built by one 
William Fox. 

" By now, the people began to think themselves very well off, having plenty to eat, 
began to have stock — used horses — made their own block sleighs for use at home, and 
wooden shod sleighs to go to Albany ; but knew of no britsh collars, (which were an 
invention of Schenectady ;) made a trip to Albany — back again in 5 days. Their wagons 
for summer use, were made of blocks sawed ofi", of a thick water beech tree, which we 
now call button-wood." 

The following is an eastern view of the old stone church situated 
about a mile north of the courthouse in Schoharie, which was used 
as a fort during the revolutionary war. The view la taken from a 
painting executed about 17 years since, and now in the possession of 
Henry Hamilton, Esq., of Schoharie. Since that time the church 



SCHOHARIE COUNTY. 




Ancient stone church in Schoharie. 

has been somewhat altered, a tower having been erected in the place 
of the spire. It is very antiquated in its appearance. On many of 
the stones are carved various names, supposed to be those of persons 
who contributed towards its erection. In ancient times this church 
was surrounded with a picket fence. When Sir John Johnson rav- 
aged the Mohawk valley in 1780, he visited Schoharie, and after 
making an unsuccessful attack on the Middle Fort, he proceeded to 
the Lower Fort, as this church was called. 

" When they arrived at the Lower Fort, they showed Httle disposition to attack it, 
although its garrison did not amount to 100 men. They separated into two divisions, the 
regular troops marching along the bank of the creek, and the Indians filing off" about half a 
mile to the east of the fort. The regulars fired a few cannon-shot without effect, one only 
lodging in the corner of the church ;* and then, after sinking one of their field. pieces in a 
morass, marched round to the north of the fort, where they were joined by the Indians. 
Here they fired a few shot with small-arms, and a few of the Indians approached near 
enough to throw their bullets into the tower of the church, where some marksmen had 
been stationed. A discharge of grape from the fort drove them back, and they continued 
their march through the woods to Fort Hunter, on the Mohawk, near the mouth of Schoharie 
creek, where they arrived after dark. 

" The beautiful valley of Schoharie creek presented a scene of devastation, on the night 
of the 17th of October, not easily described. Houses, barns, and numerous stacks of hay 
and grain, were consumed ; domestic animals lay dead everywhere over the fields ; a kw 
buildings belonging to the royalists had been spared, but the militia, sallying out, set fire to 
them in revenge. After the burning of Schoharie, this settlement ceased to be so much an 
object of tory vengeance : and during the years 1781 and 1782, though there were frequent 
alarms, little damage was done by the enemy. The Indians appeared once in considerable 
numbers at Cobbleskill, burned a few buildings, killed one man, and carried off" five prison, 
ers ; but the body of the inhabitants had taken refuge in a fort which they had built on their 
return from Schoharie in 1781, and were safe." — Annals of Tiyon County. 

Esperance, 8 miles N. of Schoharie courthouse, is a village of 
about 70 dwellings. Sloansville, Gallupville, and Smithville, are 
small villasres or settlements in this town. 



524 SCHOHARIE COUNTY. 

Seward was formed from the south part of Sharon in 1840 ; cen- 
trally distant from Schoharie NW. 20 miles. Pop. 2,086. Gard- 
nersville and Hynesville are the names of the post-offices. In July, 
1781, a battle was fought in this town between the Americafts and a 
body of the enemy, principally Indians, under the command of a tory 
by the name of John Doxtader. 

" Col. Willet, who now commanded at Fort Plain, in Jul)' sent Lieut. Gros, with 36 men, 
as a secret scout, into Durlagh, now the town of Sharon, [within the limits of the new town 
of Seward,] m Schoharie county. They discovered, near the borders of that settlement, an 
Indian trail, and followed it in the direction the Indiuns had gone. The scout fell in tile 
alongside of the path made by the Indians, and by this means ascertained that the force 
of the enemy was very considerable. Three men were sent on to make further discoveries. 
After pursuing the trail a short distance, they arrived upon the borders of a thick cedar 
swamp, 5 or 6 miles NE. of Cherry Valley ; here they found the camp of the enemy, in 
which a few sentinels only were stationed. The main body of the enemy were out on 
some expedition. One of the men stole up and took a blanket from beneath a tent, with- 
out being discovered. Having made the necessary observations, they followed the remain- 
der of the scout back to Fort Plain. It was almost night when the scout arrived, but Col. 
Willet added 70 men, and ordered an immediate march. They were joined by Major 
Robert McKean, with about 30 men, making their force 150. McKean informed Col. 
Willet that the enemy were about 300 strong, principally Indians, under the command of a 
tory, by the name of John Doxtader — and that the day previous they had destroyed Curry- 
town, a small settlement near the Mohawk, a short distance above Schenectady. The night 
was very dark, and there was no road, nothing but a path through the woods. About 
daylight they came in sight of the camp. A scout sent forward reported that the enemy 
had just returned. Col. Willet drew up his men in two parallel hues, and then ordered 
them to fall back and conceal themselves behind the trees. His plan was favored by the 
thick cedar swamp in the neighborhood of the enemy's camp. Major McKean with 50 men 
occupied the right, and Col. Willet commanded the left body, composed of his 100 men. 
Two men were then sent forward to pass over a piece of open ground in sight of the 
enemy. When discovered they were directed to lead in between the two lines. The ex- 
pectations of Col. Willet were realized ; the Indians, as soon as they saw these men, raised 
their war-cry and commenced an immediate pursuit. As they followed in, the troops of 
Major McKean opened a galling and destructive fire upon them, which was warmly 
seconded by Col. Willet's men on the left. The Indians were beaten at their own game ; 
they sought shelter behind the trees, but were driven back and routed at the point of the 
bayonet. Col. Willet led the van, and waving his hat, cheered on his men. The camp 
of the enemy and all their plunder was taken. They retreated down towards the Susque- 
hannah, and were pursued with considerable loss. Shortly after the first fire. Major McKean 
received two severe wounds, but he continued his command until the rout of the enemy 
was complete. His faithful soldiers carried him back to Fort Plain, where he survived but 
a day or two. The victory was dearly won by the loss of this brave and hardy chieftain." 
— Annals of Tryon County. 

vSharon, taken from Schoharie in 1797; from Albany 40 miles. 
Pop. 2,520. Sharon, 20 NW., and Leesville 24 miles from Schoharie, 
are small villages. 

Summit, taken from Cobelskill and Jefferson in 1819 ; from Albany 
52 miles. This township comprises the highest mountains in the 
county, forming part of the water shed between the Susquehannah and 
Mohawk rivers. Summit Corners, 20 SW., and Charlotteville, 25 
miles from Schoharie, are small settlements. Pop. 2,009. 



SENECA COUNTY. 535 



SENECA COUNTY. 

Seneca county was taken from Cayuga in 1804 ; since which 
other counties have been formed from it. Its greatest length N. and 
S. is 36 miles ; medium width, 12. Centrally distant from New York 
317, from Albany 172 miles. The land rises gently from the Cayuga 
and Seneca lakes, and the whole county is pleasantly diversified with 
hills and vales. The soil is well adapted to the culture of grain, 
grasses, and fruit trees, being principally a vegetable mould or calca- 
reous loam. There is no stream of importance excepting the outlet 
of the Seneca lake, which from Waterloo to Seneca lake furnishes 
much hydraulic power. The lands of this county formed part of the 
military tract, and the titles therefore are derived from the state 
through patents to the soldiers of the revolution. The Erie canal 
just touches upon the county in the NE. part, in the town of Tyre. 
The Auburn and Rochester railroad passes through the towns of 
Waterloo and Seneca Falls. The county is divided into 10 towns. 
Pop. 24,868. 

Covert, taken from Ovid in 1817; from Albany 177, from Ovid 
SE. 9 miles. Pop. 1,744. Covert is a small village. 

Fayette, originally named Washington, and taken from Romulus 
in 1800; from Albany 178 miles. Pop. 3,902. West Fayette, Ca- 
noga, and Bearysville, are small villages. Waterloo village lies par- 
tially in this town. 

Junius, taken from Fayette in 1803; from Albany 173 miles. 
Pop. l,594.^J)ublin is a small settlement 7 miles northwest from 
Waterloo. ^' 

LoDi, taken from Covert in 1826 ; from Albany 175 miles. Pop. 
2,238. Lodi village, 4 miles S. from Ovid village, has about 35 
dwellings. Townsendville and Ingersoll's Store are post-offices. 

Ovid, organized in 1789; bounds since altered; from Albany 171 
miles. Pop. 2,719. Ovid, the half-shire seat, is about 17 miles SE. 
of Waterloo. It is delightfully situated on the Newburg turnpike. 
The village commands a view of a large part of both lakes, and of 
portions of 9 adjoining counties, the land rising gradually to it from 
the lakes, rich, arable, and finely cultivated in farms. There is here 
1 Presbyterian and 1 Methodist church, a flourishing academy, and 
about 100 dwellings. Farmers ville, 7 miles SE. from Ovid village, 
has about 40 dwellings. 

Romulus was organized in 1789; from Waterloo centrally distant 
S. 13 miles. Romulus, Hoytes, and Bayleytown, are small settle- 
ments ; the latter of which is upon Seneca lake, opposite Dresden, 
where there is a ferry. Pop. 2,066. 

Seneca Falls was taken from Junius in 1825. It is intersected 
centrally by the outlet of Seneca Lake. Pop. 4,101. Seneca Falls 
village is 4 miles E. of Waterloo, 1 1 from Geneva, 3 W. of Cayuga 
bridge, 85 from Utica, and 167 from Albany. This is a flourishing 



526 



SENECA COUNTY. 




i 



East view of Seneca Falls village. 

village, containing between 400 and 500 dwellings, 1 Baptist, 1 Pres- 
byterian, 1 Episcopal, 1 Methodist, and 1 Catholic church, an acade- 
my, and 3 newspaper printing establishments. There is at this place 
a heavy water-power of 47 feet over 4 dams, putting in operation 7 
extensive flour-mills, besides quite a number of other mills and manu- 
facturing establishments. The above engraving is an eastern view 
of the village, the river, and the Cayuga and Seneca canal, with one 
of the locks, &c. 

The first settlers at this place were Horatio Jones and Lawrence 
Van Clief, who fixed their residence here shortly after the revolu- 
tionary war. Van Clief was a soldier in Sullivan's expjTtion. The 
village of Seneca Falls was founded in 1815, by Col. Mynderse, who 
settled here in 1795, and built the first flouring mills in this section 
of the state. In 1827, the village contained only 265 inhabitants. 
Bridgeport, formei"ly called West Cayuga, at the W. end of Cayuga 
bridge, was formerly a place of some business, but at present is in a 
decayed state, the canals having diverted its trade to other places. 
In 1789, James Bennet settled at this spot, and in connection with 
Col. John Harris, on the opposite side of the lake, kept a ferry here, 
which was of great importance to the early settlers at the west. 

Tyre was taken from Junius in 1829, centrally distant from Wa- 
terloo NE. 9, and from Albany 171 miles. Pop. 1,507. It has a level 
surface, and that part of the town bordering on the Clyfte and Seneca 
rivers is marshy. 

Varick, taken from Romulus in 1830. Pop. 1,971. It is centrally 
situated 13 miles S. from Waterloo. Varick is the name of the 
post-office. North Romulus, and Romulusville are small settlements. 

Waterloo was taken from Junius in 1829. It has a level surface 
and fertile soil. Pop. 3,026. The flourishing village of Waterloo is 
situated on the Seneca outlet and the Seneca and Cayuga canal, 4 
miles from Seneca Falls village, 7 from Geneva, and 167 from Alba- 



STEUBEN COUNTY. 



587 




South view of the courthouse in Waterloo. 

ny. It was founded in 1815, by the late Elisha Williams, of Colum- 
bia county, and was made a half-shire village in 1822. It contains 
about 300 dwellings, 4 churches — viz, 1 Episcopal, 1 Methodist, 1 
Presbyterian, and 1 Baptist — and about 2,000 inhabitants. With the 
village of Seneca Falls, Waterloo possesses the advantage of the 
lateral canal uniting the Seneca and Cayuga lakes with the Erie 
canal. The water for the mills at this place is taken from the river 
and canal, and used under a head of 15 feet. The above engrav- 
ing is a south view of the courthouse, built chiefly at the expense of 
Messrs. E. Williams and R. Swift, the former proprietors of the soil 
on which the village is erected. 



STEUBEN COUNTY. 



Steuben county, named in honor of Major-general Frederick 
William Baron de Steuben, the celebrated tactician of the revolu- 
tionary army, was taken from Ontario in 1796; boundaries since 
much altered; from Albany centrally distant SW. 216 miles, from 
New York W. 220 ; length and breadth 40 miles. The surface is 
broken and hilly, if not mountainous. Along the rivers, the general 
aspect of the county is uninviting, except that in some parts the allu- 
vial flats are extensive and rich. The river hills are rocky, precipitous, 
and covered with evergreens ; but the upland plains have a rich 
variety of trees, and fertile tracts principally of clayey loam. The 
staples of the county are lumber, grain, cattle, and wool. The lum- 
bering is the chief business of the southern towns ; but as the coun- 
try is cleared of its forests, agriculture rises in importance. Chemung 
river is the great stream of the county ; it was called by the Senecas 
Cononque, " horn in the water." Its flats are said to be superior in 
fertility to the Mohawk.t This county, excepting the town of Reading 



528 



STEUBEN COUNTY. 



on the western shore of the Seneca lake, was included in the exten- 
sive cession of New York to Massachusetts, and passed from that 
state, through Messrs. Phelps and Gorhani and Robert Morris, to Sir 
William Pulteney. It was mostly settled by Pennsylvanians, except- 
ing Prattsburg, which was settled by New Englanders. The county 
is divided into 27 towns. Pop. 45,985. 

Addison, originally named Middletown, was organized in 1796. 
This town was settled in 1793. Its early inhabitants attended church 
at Canandaigua, 80 miles distant. Addison village, 16 miles S. from 
Bath, has about 40 dwellings. Rathbunville is the name of a post- 
office. Pop. 1,919. 

Bath, organized in 17&6; limits since much altered; from New 
York NW. 220, from Albany SW. 216 miles. Avoca, Kenadaville, 
and Mud Creek, are small settlements in this town. Pop. 4.796. 
Bath, the county seat, on the bank of the Conhocton* river, and 1 1 
miles north of the N. York and Erie railroad, is one of the most pleas- 
ant villages in the western part of the state. The public square, laid 
out in 1792 by Capt. Charles Williamson, has the county and other 
public buildings, and several elegant private mansions. 




View of the east side of Pulteney Square, Bath. 

The above view of the eastern side of the square, shows on the right 
the Presbyterian church, built in 1822, being the first building erected 
with a steeple in the county. The one on the left is the Episcopal. 
There are in the village also, a courthouse, prison, a bank, a Metho- 
dist church, and about 200 dwellings. Bath was first settled in 
1792, by Capt. Charles Williamson, the first agent of Sir William 
Pulteney, after whom the public square was named. Sir William, 
who was a noted English whig, was a large proprietor in this vicinity. 



* Conhocton, in the Seneca language, means '*rees in the water." 



STEUBEN COUNTY. 529 

Capt. Williamson's party came here from Williamsport in Pennsylva- 
nia, and were obliged to cut a road all the way through the forest. 
In 1795, Capt. Williamson established a theatre at this place. He is 
represented to have been a scientific man, of liberal and extended views. 
Subsequently he was appointed governor of one of the West India 
islands; but died on his passage thither. As early as 1796, the va- 
rious settlements in this region began to exhibit an appearance of 
respectability rarely instanced in so new a country. A printing 
office was then established here, and a newspaper printed, entitled the 
Bath Gazette. The number of inhabitants in Bath and 8 miles ai'ound 
numbered 800. There were also 2 schools, 1 grist-mill and 5 saw- 
mills. 

The following, respecting the early history of this place is extract- 
ed from the Travels of Maude, an English gentlemen, who visited 
this region about the year 1800. 

" Bath, which now contains about 40 families," says this traveller, "was laid out in 1792, 
the same year that Capt. Williamson forced a passage to this till ihen unknown country, 
through a length of wilderness which the oldest and most experienced woodmen could not 
be tempted to assist him to explore ; tempted by an offer of more than 5 times the amount 
of their usual wages. Capt. Williamson was then accompanied by his friend and relative, 
Mr. Johnstone, and a servant — afterward a backwoodsman, was prevailed on to join the 
party. It was not till 1795 that this country could supply its inhabitants with food ; for till 
then, their flour was brought from Northumberland, and their pork from Philadelphia ; yet, 
so rapidly has the spirit of improvement gone forth in this country, so suddenly has plenty 
burst forth where so late was famine, and so quick the change of scene from dark tangled 
forests (whose death-like silence yielded to the growl of bears, the howl of wolves, and the 
yell of savages) to smiling lields, to flocks and herds, and to the busy hum of men, that 
instead of being indebted to others for their support, they will henceforth annually supply 
the low country, Baltimore especially, with many hundred barrels of flour and head of 
cattle. On Capt. Williamson's first arrival, where now is Bath, he built a small log-hut for 
his wife and family. If a stranger came to visit him, he built up a little nook for him to 
put his bed in. In a little time, a boarded or frame house was built to the left of the hut; 
this also was intended but as a temporary residence, though it then appeared a palace. 
His present residence, a very commodious, roomy, and well-planned house, is situated on 

the right of where stood the hut long since consigned to the kitchen fire Bath is the 

capital of Steuben county, which county contains at present (1800) about 300 families. 
On the first settlement of the country these mountainous districts were thought so unfavor- 
ably of when compared with the rich flats of Ontario county, (or the Genesee country,) that 
none of the settlers could be prevailed upon to establish themselves here till Capt. William, 
son himself set the example, saying, ' As Nature has done so much for the northern plains, 
I will do something for these southern mountains ;' though the truth of the case weis, that 
Capt. Williamson saw very clearly, on his first visit to the country, that the Susquehannah 
and not the Mohawk would be its best friend. Even now it has proved so ; for at this day 
(1800) a bushel of wheat is better worth $1,00 at Bath than 60 cents at Geneva. This 
difference will grow wider every year ; for little, if any, additional improvement can be 
made in the water communication with New York, while that to Baltimore will admit of 
very extensive and advantageous ones. Its present eflTorts are those of a child, compared 
with the manly strength it will soon assume. I visited Capt. Williamson's mills, a little 
west of Bath, on Conhocton creek, which before the winter sets in will be made navigable 
15 miles higher up; at least a farmer there promises to send an ark down from thence in 
the spring. Should he succeed, Capt. Williamson promises him a gift of 30 acres of land. 
The navigation of the Susquehannah will then extend to within 6 miles of the Canandaigua 
lake." 

The following inscriptions were copied from monuments in the 
graveyard in this place. 

67 



530 STEUBEN COUNTY. 

" George C. Edwards, died Nov. 18th, 1837 ; born at Stockbridge, Mass., Sept. 28, 1787. 
— This monument records the affection and respect of the Members and Court of the Bar 
of Steuben county, for George G. Edwards. — Tribute to the memory of a just Judge, an 
able Lawyer, a good citizen, and an honest man. — The richest legacy to leave for posterity 
is a good name." 



" Sacred to the memory of Ducjald Cameron, a native of Invcrnesshire, Scotland, and a 
resident of this his adopted country from 1794 until his decease, which took, place in the 
city of Albany whilst there as a member of the legislature of this state, on the 5th oi March, 
1828, aged 52 years. In his death the church was deprived of a liberal donor, the public 
of an useful and faithful representative, the poor and the wayfering of a ready and benevo- 
lent friend. — ' Mark the perfect man and behold the upright, for the end of that man is 
peace.' " 

Bradford, recently formed; from Bath centrally distant E. 12 
miles. Jersey is the post-office. Pop. 1,545. 

Cameron, taken from Addison in 1822; from Bath S. 8 miles. 
Pop. 1,349. The Canisteo river, which name in the Indian tongue 
sijrnifies " board in the water," crosses the town. Cameron and South 
Cameron are the post-offices. 

Campbell, taken from Hornby in 1831 ; from Bath SE. 11 miles. 
Pop. 850. There is a post-office at Campbelltown village, and one 
at Hammond's mills. 

Canisteo, organized in 1796; from Albany 241, from Bath SW. 
14 miles. Pop. 941. The rich flats of the Canisteo river in this 
town are about half a mile in width. This was the first settled place 
in the county. It was settled in 1790, by Solomon Bennett, 3 fami- 
lies by the name of Stevens, and Capt. Jemison. They came up the 
Chemung and Canisteo rivers from Athens, Pennsylvania. Canisteo 
and East Canisteo are post-offices. 

Caton, the SE. town of the county, recently erected from Painted 
Post ; centrally distant from Bath 28 miles. Pop. 797. 

CoNHocTON, taken from Bath and Dansville in 1812 ; from Albany 
215, from Bath NW. 16 miles. Pop. 2,985. Liberty is a small vil- 
lage ; Blood's Corners and Patchin's Mills are small settlements. 

Dansville, organized in 1796 ; since altered in area ; from Albany 
240, from Bath NW. 24 miles. Pop. 2,725. South Dansville, Ro- 
gersville, Doty's Corners, and De Witts Valley, are post-offices. 

Erwin, taken from Painted Post in 1826 ; from Albany 212, from 
Bath SE. 20 miles. Near the mouth of the Conhocton river is the 
small village of Erwin, upon the Great Bend and Bath turnpike. 
Upon the rivers are rich alluvial flats, well cultivated, and a fine 
bridge across the Conhocton 300 feet long. There are post-offices 
at the village of Erwin and Painted Post. Pop. 782. 

The celebrated "painted post" from which the town of Painted Post derived its name, 
formerly stood upon the bank of the river. There have been various stories in relation to 
its origin ; the following account taken from the narrative of the captivity and sufferings of 
Gen. Freegift Paichin, who was taken prisoner by a party of Indians undet Brant during 
the revolution, is probably correct. " Near this, we found the famous PAINTED POST, 
which is now known over the whole continent, to those conversant with the early history 
of our country ; the origin of which was as follows. Whether it was in the revolution, or 
in the Dunmore battles with the Indians, which commenced in Virginia, or in the French 
war, I do not know ; an Indian chief, on this spot, had been victorious in battle, killed and 
took prisoners to the number of about 60. Tliis event he celebrated by causing a Uee to 



STEUBEN COUNTY. 



531 



be taken from the forest and hewed four square, painted red, and the number he killed, 
which was 28, represented across the post in black paint, without any heads, but those he 
took prisoners, which was 30, were represented with heads on in black paint, as the others. 
This post he erected, and thus handed down to posterity an account that here a battle was 
fought ; but by whom, and who the sufferers were, is covered in darkness, except that it 
was between the whiles and Indians." 

Greenwood, taken from Troupsburg and Canisteo in 1827 ; from 
Albany 251 ; from Bath SW. 26 miles. Pop. 1,138. 

Hornby, taken from Painted Post in 1826 ; from Albany 199, from 
Bath SE. 20 miles. Pop. 1,048. 

HoRNELLsviLLE, taken from Canisteo in 1820; from Albany 236. 
Pop. 2,121. Hornellsville, so called from George Hornell, its first 
settler, lies on a branch of the Canisteo near the main stream, on the 
road from Bath to Angelica, 20 miles W. from the former, and on the 
line of the New York and Erie railroad ; it contains 1 Presbyterian 
and 1 Methodist church, and about 50 dwellings. Arkport, on the 
Canisteo, and Purdy creek, are post-offices. 

Howard, taken from Bath and Dansvillein 1812; centrally distant 
W. from Bath 12 miles. Bennet's Flats, post village, contains 2 
churches, an academy, and about 40 dwellings. The names of the 
post-offices are Howard, Goffs Mills, Towlesville, and Neil's Creek. 
Pop. 3,250. 

Jasper, taken from Troupsburg and Canisteo in 1827 ; from Bath 
S. 24 miles. Pop. 1,187. Adamsport is a small village. 

LiNDLEY, recently formed from Erwin ; from Bath SE. centrally 
distant 24 miles. Pop. 638. Erwin Centre and Lindleytown are 
the post offices. The limits of the town were early settled. At this 




Early method of pounding corn. 

period there being no mills in this section for grinding the grain of the 
inhabitants, they adopted a substitute for preparing their corn, not un- 
common among the early settlements in this region. The above is a 
representation of this method, consisting of a stump hollowed out by 
fire as a mortar, with a log attached to the end of a young sapling 



532 STEUBEN COUNTY. 

bent over to act as a pestle. This process was slow and tedious, it 
being a day's work to convert half a bushel of corn into samp. The 
settlers who owned a few slaves employed them in this drudgery ; 
hence the process was vulgarly termed " niggering corn." 

Orange, with Bradford, until recently comprehended one town, un- 
der the name of Jersey ; 205 miles from Albany, from Bath centrally 
distant E. 15 miles. Pop. 1,822. Meads Creek and Sugar Hill are 
names of post-offices. 

Painted Post, organized in 1796; from Albany 210, from Bath 
centrally distant SE. 22 miles. Pop. 1,672. This is a place much 
noted in the early history of this section of the country. The cele- 
brated ^'■painted post," (for the history of which see Erwin in this 
county,) from which the place derived its name, stood within the old 
limits of this town. The flats on the Chemung river are very rich, 
and the adjoining hills covered with pine forests. The navigable 
feeder of the Chemung canal is supplied from the river at the " chim- 
ney narrows" so called from several piles of rocks rising perpendic- 
ularly in various places from the hill-side, and having the appearance 
of chimneys. Within two miles of the western boundary of the 
town, on the Great Bend and Bath road and north bank of the Che- 
mung river, is the little village of Centreville, which was formerly 
called Painted Post. This, including the village of Knoxville, with 
which it is nearly connected, contains 100 dwellings. The line of 
the Erie railroad runs in the valley of the Chemung river, which at 
the village of Corning, on the south bank of this stream, is intersected 
by the Corning and Blossburg railroad, communicating with the coal 
mines of Pennsylvania. 

Prattsburg, named after a principal proprietor, was taken from 
Pulteney in 1813; from Albany 202, from Bath centrally distant N. 
14 miles. Pop. 2,442. Prattsburg village has two churches, an in- 
corporated academy, and about 80 dwellings. 

Pulteney, taken from Bath in 1808 ; from Albany 212, from Bath 
centrally distant NE, 18 miles. Pop. 1,782. Pulteney, Peltonville, 
and South Pulteney, are post-offices. 

Reading, the NE. town of the county, was taken from Fredericks- 
town, then Wayne, in 1806; from Albany 186 miles. Pop. 1,535. 
Irelandville, 24 miles NE. from Bath, has about 50 dwellings. Jeffer- 
son or Savoy village, on the inlet of the lake, partly in Dix of Tioga 
county, has about 300 inhabitants. Rock Stream, near Seneca lake, 
has a cascade of 140 feet. There is a post-office called North Read- 
ing. 

Troupsburg, settled in 1805 ; taken from Middletown and Canisteo 
in 1808 ; from Albany 247, and from Bath SW. 28 miles. Pop. 
1,172. Troupsburg and West Troupsburg are the post-offices. 

Tyrone, taken from Wayne in 1822 ; from Albany 194, from Bath 
NE. 16 miles; settled by emigrants from New England, New Jer- 
sey, and Orange county. New York. Tvrone, Tobanna, and Pine 
Grove, are post-offices. Pop. 2,098. 

Urbana, taken from Bath in 1822 ; from Albany 207, centrally 



SUFFOLK COUNTY. 533 

distant from Bath NE. 8 miles. Pop. 1,889. « At the head of tb« 
Crooked Lake Hes the flourishing village of Hammondsport, founded 
in 1826 by Lazarus Hammond, containing 1 Presbyterian and 1 
Episcopal church, and about 100 dwellings. The village is favora- 
bly situated for trade, by reason of the lake. It must become the 
port of the county, v^^hence much of its exports will seek a market in 
the centre of the state, and at the towns on the Hudson river. A 
steamboat daily plies between here and Penn Yan, the capital of 
Yates county ; thence the Crooked Lake canal leads to the Seneca 
Lake, which is connected with the Erie canal by the Seneca and 
Cayuga canal, by which route there is an uninterrupted water com- 
munication with New York." Urbana, Cold Springs, and Mount 
Washington, are the names of the post-ofRces. 

W^AYNE, organized in 1796, under the name of Frederickstown ; 
limits and name since altered ; from Albany 199 miles. Pop. 1,377. 
Wayne, post village, at the north end of Little Lake, 18 miles NE. 
from Bath, has about 40 dwellings. There is a post-office at Wayne 
Four Corners. 

Wheeler, taken from Bath and Prattsburg in 1820 ; from Albany 
210, from Bath N. 10 miles. Pop. 1,305. Wheeler and West Ur- 
bana are post-offices. 

WooDHULL, taken from Troupsburg and Addison in 1828 ; from 
Albany 236, from Bath centrally distant S. 22 miles. It is thinly in- 
habited. Pop. 820. Newville is a small settlement. 



SUFFOLK COUNTY. 

Suffolk county, which comprises about two thirds of Long Island, 
was organized in 1683, at which time the ridings were abolished, and 
Long Island was divided into three counties, as they have remained 
ever since. It is about one hundred and ten miles in length, and in 
some parts twenty in width. On the north side next the sound the 
land is considerably broken and hilly ; in the interior, and on the 
south side it is mostly a sandy plain, covered for the greater part with 
forests of pine, in which the wild deer is still an inhabitant. The 
county is not well watered, the streams being few and small. The 
chief business of the inhabitants is agriculture and fishing ; they also 
send large quantities of pine wood to market. The original settlers 
of the county were mostly from New England, and the inhabitants 
have ever retained to a great degree the habits and manners of the 
Puritans. The county is divided into 9 towns, all of which, except 
Riverhead, were organized in 1788. Pop. 32,468. 

Brookhaven, the largest town in the county, embraces the whole 
width of the island. It contains more than 103,000 acres, of 
which only about 35,000 are improved. The greater part of the in- 



534 SUFFOLK COUNTY. 

habitants are distributed along the villages on the sound and the 
ocean. The middle portion is for the most part covered with pine 
forests, in which deer abound. Pop. 7,050. 

" The first settlement in the town was commenced at Setauket, in 1655, by which name the 
town was at first called. Most, if not all, the original planters came from Boston and its vicin- 
ity. The civil aflairs of the settlement were conducted by magistrates elected from among 
themselves, and by rules and ordinances adopted in the primary assemblies of the people. 
After the conquest of New York in \GM, a patent of confirmation for their purchases of the 
natives was obtained from Governor Nicol. The first minister. Rev. Nathaniel Brewster, 
was settled here in KifiS. He was a grandson of Elder William Brewster, one of the founders 
of the Plymouth colony, who came over in the May Flovver, in 1620. Mr. Brevyster died in 
1690. It would seem that from age or some other infirmity, he was unable to discharge his 
pastoral duties for some years before his death ; for at a town meeting held October 31, 1685, 
Samuel Eburne was chosen by vote to be minister of the town, ' and it being proposed unto 
him, that in regard of some lender con.icieiices, he would omit the ceremony in the book of com- 
mon prayer, the said Samuel promised, that according to their desire, in regard of their femier 
comcieneex, to omit and not iisj the aforesaid cei-emonies in the public worship, except to such as 
should dexii-e the same.' The next minister. Rev. George Phillips, came to Setauket in 1697, 
and continued here till his death in 1739. The ne.xt mini.ster was Rev. David Youngs : his 
successor. Rev. Benjamin Tallmadge, was settled here in 1754. Mr. Tallmadge was succeeded 
by Rev Noah Wetmore, who came here in 1786: Rev. Zachariah Greene was his successor. 
The following relative to seating the meeting-house, recorded on the town books, is a curious 
relic of olden times : — 

" At a meeting of the trustees of Brookhaven, August 6th, 1703 : Whereas there hath been 
several rude actions of late happened in our church by reason of the people not being seated, 
which is much to the dishonor of God and the discouragement of virtue. For preventing the 
like again, it is ordered that the inhabitants be seated after the manner and form following : 
All freeholders that have or shall subscribe within a month to pay 40 shillings to Mr. PhilUps 
towards his sallary shall be seated at the table, and that no women are permitted to set there, 
except Col. Smith's lady, nor any women kind ; And that the President for the time being shall 
sit in the riaht-hand seat under the pulpit, and the clerk on the left : the trustees in the front 
seat, and tlie Justices that are inhabitants of the town, are to be seated at the table, whether 
they pay 40 shillings or less. And the pew. No. 1, all such persons as have or shall subscribe 
20 shillings; and the pew, No. 2, such as subscribe to pay 15 shillings; in pew. No. 3, such as 
subscribe to pay 10 shillings; No. 4, BshiUings; No. 5, 12 shillings; No. 6, 9 shillings ; No. 7, 
for the young men ; No. 8, for the boys ; No. 9, for ministers' widows and wives ; and for those 
women whose husbands pay 40 shilUngs, to sit according to their age ; No. 11, for those men's 
wives that pay from 20 to 15 shillings. The alley fronting the pews to be for such maids 
whose parents or selves shall subscribe for two, 6 shillings; No. 12, far those men's wives who 
pay from 10 to 15 shillings ; No. 13, for maids j No. 14, for girls; and No. 15, free for any. 
Captain Clark and Joseph Tooker to settle the inhabitants according to the above order." 

Caroline church, in Setauket, the first Episcopal church on Long Island, was erected in 
1730. This building, after having been repeatedly altered and repaired, is still standing. The 
Congregational church at Old Mans, was first erected in 1720, and rebuilt in 1805. The Pres- 
byterian church was built in 1800, at Middletown, and another at Fire-place, in 1828 ; the first 
Church at this latter place was erected in 1740. The first Congregational church at Patchogue 
was built in 1767, the present in 1822. The Methodist church at this place was erected in 1830. 
The Baptist church at Corum has stood about ninety years. The Methodist church at Stony- 
brook was erected in 1817. 

Setauket, the oldest and one of the most populous villages in 
the town, received its name from its being the residence of the 
Seatalcott tribe of Indians. It is situated on both sides of the har- 
bor, occupying about two square miles. The village of Stonybrook 
is on the western side of the town adjoining the sound, and has one 
of the best harbors in this part of the island. There are about 60 
dwellings ; shipbuilding to a considerable extent is carried on in this 
place. Port Jefferson and Millers Place are small villages. 

Corum is near the centre of the town, and has been the seat of 
the town business for more than 60 years. It is a small village 
containing about 150 inhabitants. In, or near the village, the British 
had accumulated a large quantity of forage in the winter of 1780, 
which was destroyed by Colonel Tallmadge, a native of Setauket. 
The plan of this expedition was approved of by a communication 
from General Washington. 



SUFFOLK COUNTY. 



535 



"In pursuance of this communication, Major Tallmadge ordered the detachment to repair to 
Fairfield. Here being met by other troops, the party embarked, the 21st of November, 1780, 
at fouro'clock, P. M., in eight whale-boats. The whole number, including the crews of the 
boats, amounted to eighty men. They crossed the sound in four hours, and landed at Old 
Mans at nine o'clock. The troops had niarched about five miles, when it beginning to rain, 
they returned, and took shelter under their boats, and lay concealed in the bushes all that night 
and the next day. At evening the rain abating, the troops were again put in motion, and at 
three o'clock in the morning were within two miles of the fort. Here he divided his men 
into three parties, ordering each to attack the fort at the same time at difl'erent points. The 
order was so well executed, that the three divisions arrived nearly at the same moment. It 
was a triangular enclosure of several acres, strongly stockaded, well barricaded houses at two 
of the angles, and at the third a fori, with a deep ditch and wall, encircled by an abatis of 
sharpened pickets, projecting at an angle of forty-five degrees. The stockade was cut down, 
the column led through the grand-parade, and in ten minutes the main fort was cairied by the 
bayonet. The vessels near the fort, laden with stores, attempted to escape, but the guns of 
the fort being brought to bear upon them, they were secured and burnt, as were the works and 
stores. The number of prisoners was lifty-four, of whom seven were wounded. While they 
were marched to the boats under an escort, Major Tallmadge proceeded with the remainder 
of his detachment, destroyed about three hundred tons of nay collected at Corum, and re- 
turned to the place of debarkation just as the party with the prisoners had arrived, and reach- 
ed Fairfield by eleven o'clock the same evening : having accomplished the enterprise, inclu- 
ding a march of forty miles by land and as much by water, without the lo.?s of a man. Con- 
gress passed a resolve comphmentary to the commander and troops engaged in this expedi- 
tion, which was said by them to have been planned and conducted With wisdom and great 
gallantry by Major Tallmadge, and executed with intrepidity and complete success by the 
officers and soldiers of his detachment " 




View of Patchogue in Bi'oohhaven, Long Island. 

The above is a view taken at the western entrance into the vil- 
lage of Patchouge ; the Congregational and Methodist churches are 
seen on the left, and the compact part of the village in the distance 
on the right. The village is named after the Patchogue tribe of In- 
dians, who once possessed the territory in this part of the island. It 
contains about 75 dwellings, the greater part of which have been 
erected within a few years. It is 28 miles from Riverhead, and 60 
from New York, upon the great thoroughfare from Brooklyn to Sagg 
Harbor. Four miles east is the recently built village of Bell Port, 
containing about 30 dwellings, an academy, 2 ship-yards, &c. Five 
miles east of here is a small settlement called Fire-place, known 
as a rendezvous for sportsmen. Moriches is in the east part of the 
town, extending east from Mastic river. The groves of Mastic are 
somewhat celebrated. 

Easthampton, the most easterly town on Long Island, includes 
the peninsula of Montauk'and Gjirdiner's Island. It is centi-ally dis- 



536 SUFFOLK COUNTY. 

tant from New York 110 miles. Pop. 2,076. The town was settled 
in 1649 by about thirty families from Lynn, Massachusetts, ani the 
towns adjacent. The town continued an independent plantation or 
community till 1657, when they put themselves under the jurisdiction 
of Connecticut. The Rev. Thomas James was the first minister in 
the town ; he died in 1696, and was succeeded by Rev. Nathaniel 
Hunting. Mr. Hunting was succeeded by Rev. Samuel Buell in 
1746. The fourth minister was Rev. Lyman Beecher, who was set- 
tled here in 1799. Mr. Beecher is now the President of the Lane 
Seminary in Ohio. The village of Easthampton is confined to a 
single street, of about a mile in length, having about 100 dwellings, 
mostly of an antiquated appearance, a church, and the Clinton acad- 
emy, erected here in 1785, being the first institution of the kind on 
Long Island. The village of Amagansett, containing about 50 houses, 
is three miles to the east. Wainscott is a small village in the S W. part. 
Gardiner's Island contains about 3,300 acres, with a soil mostly of 
a good quality ; the nearest point of distance to Long Island is three 
miles. Lyon Gardiner, the first settler on the island, was a native of 
Scotland. He belonged to the republican party, with the illustrious 
Hampden, Cromwell, and others. His family bible, now in possession 
of his descendants on the island, contains the following, written in his 
own hand : — 

" In the year 1635, the 10th day of July, came I, Lyon Gardiner, and Mary my wife, from 
Woden, a town of Holland, where my wife was born, being the daughter of one Diricke 
Willemson ; her mother's name was Hachir, and her aunt, sister of her mother, was the wife 
of Wouter Leanderson, Old Burger Muster, dwelling in the Hostade, over against the Bruser, 
in the Unicorne's Head ; her brother's name was Punee Garretson, also old Burger Muster. 
We came from Woden to London, and from thence to New England, and dwelt at Saybrook 
fort four years ; it is at the mouth of Connecticut Kiver, of which I was commander ; and 
there was hiorn to me a son, named David, the first bom in that place ; and in 1638 a daughter 
was born, named Mary, 30th of August, and then I went to an island of my own, which I had 
bought of the Indians, called by them Manchonock, by us Isle of Wi"ht, and there was born 
another daughter the 14tli of September, 1611, she being the first cnild of English parents 
born there." 

The notorious pirate William Kidd visited this island and buried 
a valuable treasure. From this circumstance, doubtless, has arisen 
the numerous legends respecting the burial of " Kidd's money," in 
many places along the coast. The following is a brief account of 
Kidd :— 

" William Kidd, the famous freebooter and pirate, was the commander of a merchant ves- 
sel which sailed between New York and London, and celebrated for his nautical skill and en- 
terprise : on which account he was strongly recommended by Mr. Living.ston of New York, 
then in London, as a proper person to take charge of a vessel which Lord Romney and oth- 
ers hud purchased, and were then fitting out against the hordes of marauders which infested 
the Indian seas, and preyed upon the commerce of all nations. The expense of this expedi- 
tion was £6000 sterUng. It was a joint fund, to which the King, Lord Someis, the Earl of 
Rumsey, the iJuke of Shrewsbury, the Earl of Oxford, Lord Bellamont, and Mr. Livingston 
were contributors. Kidd agreed to be concerned to the amount of one-fifth of the whole, and 
Mr. Livingston became his surety for the sum of £600. He soon set sail, and arrived on the 
American coast, where he continued for some time, and was useful in proiecting our com- 
merce, for whicli he received much public applause ; and the assembly of this state voted him 
the sum of £250 as an acknowledgment of nis services. He soon after established himsell at 
the Island of Madagascar, where he lay like a shark, darting out at pleasure, and robbing with 
impunity the vessels of every country. Having captured a larger and better vessel than his 
own, he burnt the one in which he had sailed, and took command of the other ; in which he 
ranged over the Indian coast from the Red Pea to Malabar, and his depredations extended 
from the Eastern Ocean, back along the Atlantic coast of South America, through the Ba- 
hamas, the whole West Indiee, and the shoree of Long Island. The last of which were se- 



SUFFOLK COUNTY. 53*7 

lected as the fittest for depositing his ill-gotten treasures. He is supposed to have returned 
from the east with more valuable spoil than ever fell to the lot of any other individual. On 
his homeward passage from the West Indies to Boston, where he was linally apprehended, he 
anchored in Gardiner's bay, and in the presence of the owner of the island, Mr. Gardiner, 
and under the most solemn injunctions of secrecy, buried a pot of gold, silver, and precious 
stones. On the 3d of July, 1690, he was summoned before Lord Bellamont at Boston, and or- 
dered to report his proceedings while in the service of the company : which refusing to do, 
he was immediately arrested and transported to England, where he was tried, convicted, and 
executed at " Execution Dock" on the 12th of May, 1701. He was found guilty of the mur- 
der of WiUiam Moore, gunner of the ship, and was hung in chains. JMr. .(oliiii G. Gardiner 
has a small piece of gold cloth, ^vhich his father received trom Mrs Wetmore, who gave also 
the following accountofKidd's visit to the island. ' 1 remember, (^he says,) when verv young, 
hearing my mother say that her grandmother was the wife to Lord Gardiner when the pirate 
came to that island. He wanted Mrs. Gardiner to roast him a pig ; she being alraid to refu.se 
him, roasted it very nice, and he was much pleased with it. lie then made her a present of 
this cloth, which she gave to her two daughters; what became of the other know I not ; but 
this was handed down to me, and is, I believe, as nice as when first given, which must be up- 
wards of a hundred years.' 

" It having been ascertained that he had buried treasures upon this island, commissioners 
were sent by Governor Bellamont, who obtained the same, and for which they gave the fol- 
lowing receipt: — 

"A true account of all such gold, silver, jewels, and merchandize, late in the possession of 
Captain William Kidd, which nad been seized and secured by us pursuant to an order from 
his Excellency, Richard Earl of Bellamont, bearing date July 7, 1699. 

Received, the 17th instant, of Mr. John Gardiner, viz. ounces. 

No. 1. One bag of dust-gold, 63 3-4 

2. One bag of coined gold, -.-.-.-..n 

and one in silver, -------... 124 

3. One bag of dust-gold, - - - - 24 3-4 

4. One bag of silver rings, and sundry precious stones, - - - 4 7-8 

5. One bag of unpolishecl stones, - 12 1-2 

6. One piece of crystal, carnelian rings, two agates, two amethysts. 

7. One bag silver buttons and lamps, - - 

8. One bag of broken silver, - 173 1-2 

9. One bag of gold bars, .-----... 353 1.4 

10. One do. 238 1-2 

11. One bag of dust-gold, --------- 59 1-2 

12. One bag of silver bare, ...-.---- 309 

Samuel Sewall, Nathaniel Byfield, 
Jeremiah Dummer, Andrew Belcher, 

Commissioners. " 




View of Montauk Point, Long Island. 

The peninsula of Montauk contains 9,000 acres. The land is 
owned by about forty individuals, as tenants in common. The Indi- 
ans have non-fructuary interest in a portion of the land ; but as the 
race is nearly extinct, this incumbrance must be of short duration. 
The soil is generally good, and is used as pasture land. The surface 
is rough, and in some places precipitous. " There is a sublimity and 
wildness, as well as solitariness here, which leave a powerful impres- 
sion on the heart. In a storm, the scene which the ocean presents is 

68 



538 SUFFOLK COUNTY. 

awfully grand and terrific. On the extreme point stands the tall 
white column erected by the government for a lighthouse in 1795, at 
an expense of $22,300. It is constructed of stone, in the most sub- 
stantial manner." Within five or six miles of this place the Spanish 
schooner Amistad, in possession of a company of African slaves, 
was captured and carried into New London. The following partic- 
ulars respecting the schooner, &c., was written by one of the officers 
of the United States brig Washington : — 

New London, Augvst 26, 1839. 

" While this vessel was sounding this day between Gardiner's and Montauk Points, a 
schooner was seen lying in-shore oti' Culloden Point, under circumstances so suspicious as to 
authorize Lieutenant-commandant Gedney to stand in to see what was her character : seeing 
a number of people on the beach with carts and horses, and a boat passing to and fro, a boat 
was armed and despatched with an officer to board her. On coming alongside, a number of 
negroes were discovered on her deck, and twenty or thirty more were on the beach — two 
white men came forward and claimed the protection of the olfiuer. The schooner proved to 
be the ' Amistad,' Captain Ramontiues, from the Havanna, bound to Guanajah, Port Princi- 
pe, with 54 blacks and two passengers on board ; the former, four nights after they were out, 
rose and murdered the captain and three of the crew — thev then took possession of the vessel, 
with the intention of returning to the coast of Africa. Pedro Montez, passenger, and Jose 
Ruiz, owner of the slaves and a part of the cargo, were only saved to navigate the vessel. 
After boxing about for four days in the Bahama channel, the vessel was steered for the Island 
of St. Andrews, near New Providence — trom thence she went to Green Key, where the blacka 
laid in a supply of water. After leaving this place the vessel was steered by Pedro Montez 
for New Providence, the negroes being under the impression that she was steering for the 
coast of Al'rica— they would not however permit her to enter the port, but anchored every 
night oH' the coast. The situation of the two whiles was all this time truly deplorable, being 
treated with the greatest severity, and Pedro Montez, who had charge of the navigation, was 
suffering from two severe wounds, one on the head and one on the arm, their lives being 
threatened every instant. He was ordered to change the course again for the coast of Africa, 
tlie negroes themselves steering by the sun in the daytime, while at night he would alter their 
course°so as to bring them back to their original place of destination. They remained three 
days off" Long Island, to the eastward of Providence, after which time they were two months 
on the ocean, sometimes steering to the eastward, and whenever an occasion would permit, 
the whites would alter the course to the northward and westward, always in hopes of lalling 
in with some vessel of war, or being enabled to run into some port, when they would be re- 
lieved from their horrid situation. 

" Several times they were boarded by vessels ; once by an American schooner from 
Kingston ; on these occasions the whites were ordered below, while the negroes commu. 
nicated and traded with the vessels ; the schooner from Kingston supplied them with a de- 
mijohn of water for the moderate sum of one doubloon — this schooner, whose name was not 
ascertained, finding that the negroes had plenty of money, remained lashed alongside the 
' Amistad' for twenty-four hours, though they must have been aware that all was not right 
on board, and probal)ly suspected the character of the vessel — this was on the eighteenth 
of the present month ; the vessel was steered to the northward and westward, and on the 
20th instant, distant from New York 25 miles, the pilot-boat No. 3 came alongside and 
gave the negroes some apples. She was also hailed by No. 4 ; when the latter boat came 
near, the negroes armed themselves and would not permit her to board them ; they were 
so exasperated with the two whites for bringing them so much out of their way, that they 
expected every moment to be murdered. On the l24th they made Montauk light, and 
steered for it in the hope of running the vessel ashore, but the tide drifted them up the bay, 
and they anchored where they were found by the brig Washington, off Culloden point. 
The negroes were found in communication with the shore, where they laid in a fresh supply 
of water, and were on the point of sailing again for the coast of Africa. They had a good 
supply of money, some of which it is likely was taken by the people on the beach. After 
disarming and sending them on board from the beach, the leader jumped overboard with 
three hundred doubloons about him, the property of the captain, all of which he succeeded 
in losing from his person, and then submitted himself to be captured. The schooner was 
taken in tow by the brig and carried into New London." 

The Africans were afterward taken to New Haven ; and an inves- 
tigation was had before the United States court at Hartford. In 
January, 1840, their case was tried before the United States district 



SUFFOLK COUNTY. 539 

court. Judge Judson decided that they should be delivered up to 
the President of the United States to be sent back to Africa. The 
United States attorney having appealed from this decision, the case 
was referred to the Supreme Court, at Washington, which set in 
January, 1841. This court declared the freedom of the Africans. 

Huntington, the westernmost town in the county, is bounded on 
the N. by the sound, and S. by the ocean. The surface in the N. is 
rough and hilly, in the centre a high sandy plain, covered with pines 
and shrub oaks. The South Bay has on its northern shore a strip of 
salt meadow nearly a mile wide. The soil near the sound, and par- 
ticularly upon the necks, is the best in the town. Pop. 6,562. The 
earliest deed for land in this town was given to Gov. Eaton, of New 
Haven, for Eaton's Neck, in 1646, the first Indian deed to the ori- 
ginal settlers of Huntington, and comprised six square miles. 

" In an early period of the settlement, in this town as well as in others, almost all domestic 
trade was carried on by means of exchange. Contracts were made to be satisfied in produce, 
and even the judgments given in the courts, were made payable in grain, at fixed prices, or in 
inerchaiUabk pay at the current price. The prices were established by the governor and court 
of assize ; and in 1665 the assessors were ordered to fix an estimate lor stocK.. Accordingly, a 
horse or mare four years old and upward, was to be taken in pay at twelve pounds ; a cow 
four years old and upward, at five pounds; an ox or bull of the same age, at six pounds; and 
other articles, as pork, wheat, corn, &c., at proportionate prices. In the draft of a contract 
between the town and a schoolmaster in 1657, the salary was to be paid in current pay ; and 
in 1686 the town contracted with a carpenter to make an addition to the meeting-house, to 
be paid in produce. Even executions issued by the magistrates, were satisfied in the same 
way. 'At a town meeting, April 4, 1661, it was agreed that a firkin of butter should be paid 
in, at Stephen Jarvis's house by the middle of June, for the satislaction of a debt due from ye 
town to Ensigne Briant.' The more eftectually to preserve the public morals, the people ex- 
cluded from society those whom they thought likely to injure them. In 1662, they appointed, 
by a vote at town meeting, a committee, consisting of the minister and six of their most re- 
spectable citizens, to examine the characters of those coming to settle among them ; with 
uower to admit or reject, as they judged most likely to benefit or injure society, with a pro- 
fiso, that they should not exclude any ' that were honest, and well approved by honest and 
judicious men ;' and forbid any inhabitant to sell or let house or land to any one not approved 
by the committee, under the penalty often pounds, to be paid to the town. In 1653, tne town 
forbade any inhabitant to entertain a certain obnoxious individual longer than the space of a 
week, either gratuitously or tor pay, under the penalty of forty shillings." 

In 1660, the town put themselves under the jurisdiction of Connec- 
ticut, and in 1662, elected two deputies to attend the genei'al court 
at Hartford. The connection was dissolved on the conquest of New 
York, in 1664. The first minister of the town was William Lever- 
idge, who was established here 1658. He was succeeded by Rev. 
Eliphalet Jones in 1677. Mr. Jones was succeeded by Ebenezer 
Prime, who died in 1779, who was succeeded by Rev. Nathan 
Woodhull, and the latter by the Rev. William Schenck. 

The following shows the appearance of the village of Huntington as 
it is entered from the westward. The Presbyterian church and aca- 
demy are seen in the distance, near the central part of the engraving. 
The Universalist church is seen near the burying ground on the light. 
There are about one hundred dwellings in the vicinity of the 
churches. A newspaper is published in this place. This village is 
40 miles W. from Riverhead, and about 45 from New York. The 
thriving village of Babylon, 40 miles from New York, on the south 
side of the island, in full view of the bay and ocean, contains about 
250 inhabitants. It is situated upon Sunquams Neck, and has a fine 
stream of water on either side, upon which mills have long been 



540 



SUFFOLK COUNTY. 




WesterJi view of Huntington Village. 

erected. The village of Little Cow Harbor is now called Centre 
Port, and the name of Great Cow Harbor changed to North Port. 
The steamer Lexington was burnt near Eaton's Neck, Jan. 13, 1840. 

IsLip. This town, on the S. side of the island, is centrally distant 
about 45 miles from New York. It received its name from the first 
settlers, many of whom came from Islip, in Oxfordshire, England. 
It has a level surface and a light and sandy soil, rendered productive 
by manures of sea-weed and fish. The bay on the south is 4 or 5 
miles wide, containing an inexhaustible variety of fish, and is visitea 
by a vast number of wildfowl. Pop. 1,909. The extensive 
domain known as Nicol's Patent, includes more than sixty square 
miles of land, and has, since its first purchase from the Indians in 
1683 by William Nicol, been by successive entailment preserved 
as one estate. 

RivERHEAD, the shire town, was taken from Southold in 1792. Only 
a comparatively small portion of the town is under improvement ; 
much of its territory is covered with wood, which has for a long 
period been a staple article for transportation. 

The following is a southern view of the central part of the village of 
Riverhead, as seen from the residence of Mr. J. P. Terry, about 50 
rods S. from the courthouse. The village is situated upon Peconic 
creek or river, a mill stream, about 2 miles above Peconic bay, 
about 90 miles from New York, 24 from Sagg Harbor, and 23 from 
Greenport. The village contains about 70 dwellings, a large pro- 
portion of which are one story in height, 1 Methodist, 1 Congrega- 
tional, and 1 Swedenbourg or New Jerusalem church, an academy, 
and about 500 inhabitants. The courthouse, seen in the central part 
of the engraving with a small spire, has stood more than a century. 
James Poit is a recent village E. of Riverhead. Old Aquabogue, 
Upper Aquabogue, Fresh Pond. Baiting Hollow, and Wading River, 
are small villages. 



SUFFOLK COUNTY. 



541 




South view of the central part of Riverhead. 

Shelter Island is a town comprehending the island of that name in 
Gardiner's bay. It is about six miles long and four broad, contain- 
ing about 8,000 acres, divided into several farms. Pop. 379. The 
surface of the island is generally undulating, and covered in part by 
oak and other timber. The Indian name of this island was Manhan- 
sack-aha-qushu-wamock, meaning an island shelte7'ed hy other islands. 
It was originally purchased by James Farret from the Indians ; it 
afterward became the property of Nathaniel and Constant Sylvester 
and Thomas Middleton. In 1674, the rights of these two last pei'- 
sons were confiscated by the Dutch government, and sold to the first 
for £500, the payment of which was enforced by a party of soldiers. 
The first church on the island was erected by the Presbyterians in 
1733 : it was taken down in 1816, and the present church erected on 
the same spot. 

Smithtown is centrally distant from New York 47 miles. Pop. 
1,932. The town is nearly 10 miles square : the surface on the north 
is broken and hilly, and on the south a perfectly level plain. The 
inhabitants are much scattered over the surface. There are several 
small villages, the most considerable of which are the Branch and 
the settlement called Head of the River. 

This town derives its name from Richard Smith, the patentee. 
The annexed account of this individual has been obligingly commu- 
nicated by J. W. Blydenburgh, Esq. 

" Smithtown takes its name from the original patentee, Richard Smith, jr., of Narragansett, 
who with his father Richard Smith, sen., and other relatives, came from Gloucestershire, 
England, to Boston in 1630. Smith married at Boston, and settled with his father at Taunton, 
16^, where he remained until 1641, when he purchased a tract of the Narragansett sachems 
' among the thickest of the Indians,' computed at 30,000 acres, erected a house for trade, and 
gave free entertainment to travellers, — it being the great road of the country. The dwelling 
of Smith stood on the present site of the Updike house in North Kingston, and it is said that 
th'; present dwelling contains some of the materials of the old. Smith's was the tirst house built 
in NaiTagansett, and was probably a blockhouse. Roger Williams, Wilcox and others, built 
soon after, and Williams sold out to Smith in 1651. Smith afterward made many purchases 
of the Indians, and March 8, 1656, Coginiquant leased them for 60 years an immense tract 
south of his dwelling. June 8, 1659, the same sachem leased them for a thousand years an 
enlarged tract, whicn gave rise to ^eat disputes, which were the Unal cause of his removal to 
Long Island and the settlement of Smitlitown. In 1654, the war broke out between the Nini- 




642 SUFFOLK COUNTY. 

Facsimile of Richard Smythe's Hgnature.* 

gret and the Long Island Indians, which continued with various success for several years. In 
one of" the expeditions made to Long Island by Ninigret, he took among other captives 14 of" 
their chii-t" women, one of whom proved to be the daughter of Wyandanch, chief sachem of 
the Montuugs. These sijuaws were taken by Lyon Gardiner, heutenant of Lord Say, to 
Smith's house, where the Indian princess remained until she was restored to her father by 
Gardiner, who gave as her ransom a grant of all the Nessaqnake lands, since called Smithtown. 
Smith's house at Wicktbrd, now North Kingston, K. I., was the rendezvous of the whites, 
during all the Indian wars, and the ^reat swamp tight took place a short distance therefrom. 
Smith became very influential with the Indian chiefs. He negotiated and signed the treaty 
for Connecticut ; several times made peace between the Narragansetts and the Massachusetts 
colonists, until his eastern neighbors became jealous of his power, and actually indicted him in 
their court, ordered him to be arrested and carried to Newport for trial. They attempted to 
defeat his lease of the Narragansett lands, which occasioned Roger Williams to interfere in 
his behalf, and write a very comphmentary letter to King Charles the 2d concerning him. 
In disgust at their conduct, he purchased of Lyon Gardiner, the Nessaquake lands on Long 
Island! whither he removed and left his eastern possessions with his relatives. On the arrival 
of Col. Richard Nicol, he received a patent for his Smithtown tract, and after a successful 
lawsuit in the general court of assize respecting his boundary, he at length secured from Sir 
Edinund Andross a coniirmatory patent, under the title of Smithtown, or Smithfield, dated 
25th March, 1677. 

" Richard Smith, patentee of Smithtown, made his will March 5th, 1691, and died soon after. 
His will was proved, 1692. He gave to Lodovica Updike all his homestead, as far south as 
was then fenced in, with his Sagoge land, on condition of surrendering his West Quoge farm. 
To Daniel and James Updike, theland south of Wickford, then occupied by Jacob Pindor and 
John Thoinas. To Israel and James Newton, the West Quoee farm. To Thomas Newton, 
Hay Island and his house in Bristol. To Ehzabeth Pratt, alias Newman, the Boston neck 
land, on which Alexander King lived. He gave legacies to Richard, son of Lodovica Up- 
dike, and Smith, son of Thomas Newton, &c., &c., leaving his town on Long Island to his 
seven children in equal shares. His son, Obadiah, was drowned in creasing Nessaquake river, 
August 20th, 1680, and six sons and a daughter survived him, as follows : Jonathan, who mar- 
riea Mary T?rewster, who left two children — Richard, who married Elizabeth Tucker, and 
left 5 children— Job, who married Ehzabeth Thompson, and left 7 children— Adam, who 
married Elizabeth Brown, and left 1 child— Samuel, who married Hannah Longbotham, and 
left 6 children— Daniel, who married Ruth Tucker, and left 7 children— and Deborah, who 
married William Lawrence, and left 6 children. 

" On the 13th March, 1735, his grandchildren entered into an agreement to divide the town 
according to the proprietary rights of their parents, the seven children, and it was surveyed 
and laid out in pursuance of such agreement. 

" Smith was ouried at Nessaquake, near his residence, on land now or late in the possession 
of Jesse W. Floyd." 

" It is probable," says Thompson, in his History of Long Island, " that horses were very 
rare during the first settlement of this town, or that they had not as yet been introduced ; 
which accounts for Mr. Smith's having made use of a large bull for many purposes for which 
horses were afterward used, which occasioned him to be designated as the bull-rider, and his 
posterity to this day as the Bull Siniths, while the descendants of Col. Wilham Smith of Brook- 
haven are as familiarly known as the Tangier Smiths, he having once filled the office of gov- 
ernor of Tangier. There are also upen the island two other distinct races of^ families by the 
name of Smith, the one called Rock Smiths and the other Blue Smiths, the origin of which is 
matter of conjecture. Many singular traits of character, and not a few strange stories, are re- 
lated concerning this famous progenitor of the Smiths of Sniithtown, the records of which 
have too much the semblance of fiction to be worth perpetuating " 

The first minister of the town was the Rev. Abner Reeve, who was employed here abo'.t 
1735. He was the father of the Hon. Tappan Reeve, the founder of the celebrated law scnool 
at Litchfield, Conn. His successor, the Rev. Napthah Daggett, was settled here in 1751. Mr. 
Daggett afterward became President of Yale College. The next clergymen were Tnomas 
Lewis, Joshua Hart, and Luther Gleason. 

" In a note to Moulton's History of New York, it is stated that an obituary appeared in a 



* The sliove fac-simile is taken from the deed given by Richard Smith to his grandson Oba- 
diah; fioni which it appears that he spelt his name unlike his posterity. 



SUFFOLK COUNTY. 



543 



newspaper, printed in 1739, of the death of a negro at Smithtown, Long Island, reputed to 
have oeen one hundred and forty years old, who declared that he well remembered when there 
were but th-ee houses in New \ ork. The memory, therefore, of this remarkable individual 
must have extended back to the tirst settlement of New Amsterdam, (as New York was then 
called,) in l(i26." 




Northern view of Sagg Harbor, Long Island. 

vSuuTHAMPTON, Called by the natives Agawam, was settled in 1640, 
principally by about forty families from Lynn, Mass. Its name was 
given in remembrance of Southampton, Eng. The surface of the 
township is generally level, in the W. and N. the soil is light and 
sandy, in the S. mixed with loam, and when properly manured, pro- 
duces good crops. Pop. 6,205. The people of this town early sought 
an alliance with Connecticut, and were received into their jurisdiction 
in 1644. They were represented by deputies in the general court at 
Hartford. The Rev. Abraham Pierson was the first minister ; he 
was succeeded by the Rev. Robert Fordham in 1649, who was suc- 
ceeded by Rev. Joseph Taylor in 1680, and Rev. Joseph Whiting 
in 1682. Rev. Samuel Gelston settled here in 1717, and remained 
.about 10 years. 

The village of Southampton is built on a single street, 18 miles 
from Riverhead. Bridgehampton, Westhampton, Good Ground, 
Flanders Speunk, Quogue, Canoe Place, and Beaverdam, are names 
of localities and villages. Shinnecock, or Southampton bay, is a fine 
sheet of water, 10 miles long, and from 3 to 4 wide. The territory 
of Shinnecock, containing some thousands of acres, is little else than 
a collection of sand hills. A small remnant of the Shinnecock tribe 
of Indians still linger on the SE. part of this tract, where they have 
a small church and a few dwellings. 

The above is a northern view of Sagg Harbor, situated in the NE 
corner of the town, 100 miles from New York. It has a good har- 
bor, lying on an arm of Gardiner's bay. The village contains 400 
dwellings, 1 Presbyterian, 1 Methodist, 1 Catholic, and 1 African 
church, 2 printing offices, and about 3,000 inhabitants. The wealth 



544 SUFFOLK COUNTY. 

and trade of the place may with propriety be said to be founded on 
the whahng business. 

" Sagff Harbor is the most populous, wealthy, and commercial place in the county, and may 
therefore not improperly be considered the emporium of Suffolk. The capital employed in 
trade here probably exceeds that of the whole county besides, there being nearly a million of 
dollars invested in the whale-fishery alone, employing a tonnage of more than six thousand, 
exclusive of several fine packets and other vessels eng-.iged in the coasting business. It is sup- 
posed that no permanent settlement was attempted here previous to 1730, and then only a few 
small cottages were erected near the head of the present wharf, for the convenience of those 
engaged in fishing. Most of the land in the vicinity was then covered with timber and forest, 
and it is probable also that no incon.«!iderable number of Indians dwelt in the vicinity. In 
.1760, several respectable families established themselves here, perceiving that it possessed 
many local advantages, and built for themselves comfortable houses. In 17(>7, the number of 
inhabitants had so increased, that it was resolved to erect a house for public worship, and with- 
out the advantage of regular preaching, the people were accustomed to assemble on the Sab- 
bath at the heal of drum, and hoar a sermon read by one of the congregation. They began soon 
after more largely to appreciate the commercial facilities offered by the adjacent waters, and 
fresh efforts were made to improve upon the old practice of hoat-whalhig. For this end small 
sloops were fitted out, and ranged the ocean at some distance from the coast ; but when a whalo 
was caught, it became necessary to return to port for the purpose of boiling out the oil upon the 
shore. The business had made but little progress when hostilities commenced between the 
mother country and her colonies in 1775 ; and this island being the next year abandoned to the 
enemy, commerce of every kind was of cotirse suspended till the close of the contest in 1783. 
Several British ships took their stations in the bay, and this village was made not only a depot 
for military stores, but the garrison for a considerable body of soldiers. During the war it be- 
came the theatre of one of the most extraordinary feats that was accomplished during the revo- 
lution. It has generally been denominated Mcig's Expedition, and the circumstances are thus 
related by the historians of that period : 

" ' In retaliation for the burnmg of Ridgefield in Connecticut, by General S r'loir and the 
wretches under his command, in April, 1777, a few soldiers from JNewhaven went on a preda- 
tory excursion ro Long island. A quantity of provisions had been collected at Sagg Harbor, 
and to destroy these was the object of the expedition. The enterprise was one of the most 
spirited and successful of that eventful period. General Parsons conceived it possible to sur- 
prise the place, and confided the execution of it to Lieutenant-colonel 3Ieigs, who embarked 
from NevvhavCTi, May 21, 1777, with two hundred and thirty-four men, in thirteen whale-boats. 
He proceeded to Guilibrd, but on account of the roughness of the sea, could not pass the sound 
till the twenty-third. On that day, at one o'clock in the afternoon, he left Guilford with one 
hundred and seventy men, under convoy of two armed sloops, and crossed the sound to South- 
old, whore he arrived at six o'clock. The enemy's troops on this part of the island had marched 
for New Vork two or three days before, but it was reported that there was a party at Sagg 
Harbor on the south branch of the island about fifteen miles distant. C'olonel M^igs ordered 
the whale-boats to be transported over the land to the bay between the north and south branches 
of the island, where one hundred and thirty men embarked, and at twelve o'clock at night ar- 
rived safely on the other side of the bay within four miles of Sagg Harbor. Here the boats 
were secured in a wood, under a guard, and the remainder of the detachment marched quickly 
to the harbor, where they arrived at two o'clock in the morning, in the greatest order, attacking 
the outpost with fixed bayonets, and proceeding directly to the shipping at the wharf, which 
they found unprepared for defence. The alarm was given, and an armed schooner with twelve 
guns and seventy men began to fire upon them at the distance of one hundred and fifty yards, 
which continued three quarters of an hour, but did not prevent the troops from executing their 
design with the greatest intrepidity and effect. Twelve brigs and sloops, one of which was an 
armed vessel of twelve guns, and one hundred and twenty tons of hay, corn, oats, ten hogs- 
heads of rum, and a large quantity of merchandise, were entirely destroyed. Six of the enemy 
were killed and ninety taken prisoners. Not one of Colonel Meig's men was either killed or 
wounded. He returned to Guilford at two o'clock in the afternoon, having been absent only 
twenty-five hours ; and in that time had transported his troops by land and water full ninety 
miles, and completed his undertaking with the most entire success.' 

" On the declaration of war against Great Britain in 1S12, preparations were made to pro- 
tect this place against the enemy, and a .«mall detachment of militia was stationed here, who 
employed themselves in erecting a fortitication upon the high ground overlooking the harbor. 
No regular garrison was establislied, however, till the summer of 1813, when the British t^hips, 
taking their station in Gardiner's Bay, threatened to land at several points in the vicinity of 
this port. At that time three or tour hundred luen were placed here, and were continued till 
the end of the war. Some part of the time a company of artillery, and another of regular 
troops, were stationed here ; and in 1814 one or more companies of sea fencibles. But at no 
time was the number of soldiers sullicient to have effectually defended the place against the 
enemy, had the capture of it been considered by them an object of sulFicient importance to 
have warranted the attempt. It was wholly impossible to have prevented their landing at 
various places bordering upon the bay, and they accoi;dingly visited at pleasure Gardiner's 
Island, Montauk, and Oyster Ponds ; taking such provisions as their necessities required, and 
for which, it is believed, they generally paid an equivalent. In June, 1813, a launcii and two 



SUFFOLK COUNTY. 



545 



barges, with about one hundred men from the squadron of Commodore Hardy, attempted to 
land at the wharf in the night ; but being timely discovered, the alami was sounded, and the 
guns of the fort bronaht to bear in the cJirection of the boats: so successful was the means 
used, that the designs of the enemv were elfectually frustrated. They had only time to set fire 
to a sloop which tliey took, from the wharf, when a shot from the fort raked her fore and aft, 
and obliged them to "abandon her. The Americans going on board, e.xtinguished the flames, 
when they found a quantity of guns, swords, pistols, and other instruments, which the inva- 
ders, (deeming discretion to be the better part ol' valor,) had left in their huny to escape." 

SouTHOLD embraces the N, branch of Long Island, and includes 
Fisher's, Plumb, Robins, and Gull islands. It is centrally situated 17 
miles from Riverhead. and 103 from New York. The surface is 
generally level, and the soil a sandy loam, and productive under care- 
ful cultivation. Pop. 3,907. The inhabitants are principally settled 
along the great road which passes centrally through the town in a 
number of thickly settled neighborhoods or villages, as at Mattatuc, 
Cutchogue, Southold, Oyster Ponds, or Orient, forming almost a con- 
tinued villaire. 




Southern view of Greenport, in Southold. 

Greenport, the largest village in the town, is situated at what is 
called Southold harbor, a part of the great Peconic bay, 23 miles 
from the courthouse at Riverhead. It is laid out into streets and 
building lots, and contains about 100 dwellings, 1 Baptist, 1 Meth- 
odist, and 1 Presbyterian church, and wharves and railways for the 
accommodation of vessels. The water is of sufficient depth for large 
ships, and well sheltered from storms. The village was commenced 
by a few spirited individuals in 1827. The ancient village of South- 
old contains 1 Presbyterian and 1 Universalist church, and an academy. 
The peninsula of Oyster Ponds is the eastern extremity of the island ; 
the village, now called Orient, contains two churches, two docks or 
wharves, and upwards of 500 inhabitants. Fisher's Island, belong- 
ing to this town, is 9 miles from New London, Conn., and 4 from Sto- 
nington. It is about 9 miles long, and has a medial width of one mile, 
containing about 4,000 acres. This island was purchased by Gov. 
Winthrop, of Connecticut, in 1664, and has been in possession of the 
Winthrop family ever since. The staple articles raised on the island 
are wool, butter, and cheese. There are about 45 persons of all ages 
upon the island. Plumb Island contains about 800 acres of land, and 

69 



546 SULLIVAN COUNTY. 

has a population of about 75 persons. Great and Little Gull islands 
are situated in what is called the Race, on account of the swiftness 
of the current. Great Gull contains 15 acres ; Little Gull one acre, 
mostly a solid rock. Upon this last island a lighthouse has been 
Erected, which is of much importance to the navigation of the sound. 

"The Indian name of this towTi is Yeiinecock, and was purchased from the Corchougs, a tribe 
that possess-ed this part of the island, in the summer of 1640. Most of the first planters were 
originally from Hingham, in Norfolk, England, and came here by the way of iNew Haven. 
The Rev. John Youngs, who had been a preacher in England, was their leader. He organized 
a church at New Haven, and they, with others willing to accompany them, commenced the 
settlement of this town. The principal men among them, besides 3Ir. Youngs, were William 
Wells, Barnabas Horton, Thomas Mapes, John Tuthill, and Matthias Corwin. The governor 
of New Haven, Theophilns Eaton, and the authorities there, had not only aided the first settlers 
in their negotiations about the purchase of the soil, but actually took the conveyance in their 
own names, and exercised a limited control over the territory for several years, which event- 
ually occasioned some dissatisfaction among the inhabitants. The civil and ecclesiastical con- 
cerns of the settlement were conducted in a similar manner with the other plantations under 
the jurisdiction of New Haven. All government was reputed to be in the church, and none 
were admitted to the entire privileges of freemen, or free burgesses as they were called, except 
church members ; a coiu't was in like manner instituted, which was authorized to hear and de- 
termine all caufes, civil and criminal, and whose decisions were to be according to the laws of 
God as contained in the holy scriptures, in the general court, (or town meeting,) consisting 
also of church members, was transacted the ordinary business of the plantation. Jn these, 
orders were made in relation to the division of lands, the enclosure or cultivation of common 
fields, the regulation of fences, highways, and the time and manner of permitting cattle and 
sheep to go at large upon the common lands ; and such further measures as were required for 
the mutual defence of the settlement from hostile attacks on every side. One of the first ordi- 
nances required every man to provide himself with arms and ammunition, and to assemble at 
an appointed place, whenever warned so to do, under a certain penalty for neglect in any of 
these respects. The plantation made early prevision for the education of children, the preser- 
vat on of good morals, and the support of religion. A committee was appointed to regulate the 
admission of new settlers, and no one could become an inhabitant without their approbation ; 
and no planter could sell or let his house or land to a stranger, but only to such as were aj)- 
proved by the said committee, under a heavy penalty." 



SULLIVAN COUNTY. 

Sullivan county was erected in March, 1809, from Ulster county, 
and received its name in honor of General Sullivan, an officer of the 
revolutionary army. It is centrally distant from New York about 100 
miles NW., and, by the routes usually travelled, 112 SW. of Albany. 
Greatest length NW. and SE. 45, and greatest breadth NE. and 
SW. 37 miles. The county of Sullivan is situated on the Delaware 
river, W. of Ulster county, in a region of broken land. It contains 
a large proportion of mountainous country. The Newburg and Co- 
checton turnpike runs centrally and westerly across the county ; and 
on this road and the Delaware river arc the principal settlements. 
The New York and Erie railroad runs through the southern portion. 
The northern part is the wildest and least settled. The Delaware and 
Hudson canal passes through the valley of Bashe's kill into Orange, 
and returns from that county by the valley of the Delaware, along 
which it extends in this county about 15 miles, to the dam oppo- 
site the Laxawasen river. The country along the Delaware is not 



SULLIVAN COUNTY. 5^7 

favorable for agriculture ; generally the highlands are preferred for 
cultivation, being more dry, and productive of finer grass than the 
valleys, which are commonly wet and cold. Upon the Delaware, 
and the streams which flow into it, the inhabitants are chiefly engaged 
in lumbering. With the exception of a small tract on the southeast, 
in the Minisink patent, the whole county was covered by the Har- 
denburg patent, under which there are now some extensive land- 
holders. The inhabitants are chiefly of Dutch and New England 
descent. About one tenth of the county only is improved. It is di- 
vided into 10 towns. Pop. 1.5,630. 

Bethel, taken from Lumberland in 1809; centrally distant from 
New York 135, from Albany 121, and from Monticello W. 8 miles. 
Pop. 1,483. Whitelake and Bethel are post-ofijces. 

CocHECTON, taken from Bethel in 1828; from New York 118, 
from Albany 130 miles. Pop. 622. Cochecton is a small village 
upon the Delaware, 21 miles NW. of Monticello. Fosterdale is a 
post-ofiice. 

Fallsbukg, organized in 1826 ; from New York 108, from Albany 
102, from Monticello centrally distant NE. 8 miles. Pop. 1,782'. 
Fallsburg and Woodburn are small post villages. 

FoRESTBURG, recently formed, is centrally distant from Monticello 
S. 8 miles. Forestburg is a small village. Pop. 433. 

Liberty, taken from Lumberland in 1807 ; NW. from New York 
110, from Albany SW. 110, from Monticello to the settled portion 
of the town N. 10 miles. Liberty is a small village of about 40 
dwellings. Pop. 1,570. 

Lumberland, taken from Mamakating in 1798; from New York 
115, from Albany 130, and from Monticello centrally distant SW. 20 
miles. Pop. 1,205. Lumbering is the principal business of the in- 
habitants. Barryville and Lumberland are post-offices. Narrows- 
burg is a small village. 

Mamakating, organized in 1798; since divided; centrally distant 
from New York 85, and from Albany 100 miles. Pop. 3,418. 
Bloomingsburg, upon the eastern foot of the Shawangunk mountain, 
on the Newburg and Cochecton turnpike, 13 miles SE. from Mon- 
ticello, incorporated in 1833, has about 60 dwellings. Wurtsbo- 
rough on the canal, 43 miles from Eddyville, and 11 miles from 
Monticello, has about 60 dwellings. Near here is a valuable lead 
mine. Philipsport is a small village on the canal, 4 miles N. from 
Wurtsborough. Burlingham is a small village on the Shawangunk 
creek, 4 miles below Bloomingsburg. Mount Vernon and West 
Brookville are post-offices. This town was settled by the Dutch 
about a century since. 

Neversink, organized in 1798; since altered in area; from New 
York 115, from Albany 104, and from Monticello N. 13 miles. 
Pop. 1,681. Neversink and Grahamsville are post-offices. 

Rockland, taken from Neversink in 1798; from New York 125, 
from Albany 116, and from Monticello N. 23 miles. Pop. 826. 
Rockland, Little Beaver Kill, and Purvis, are post-offices. 



548 



TIOGA COUXTV. 



Thompson, taken from Mamakating; from New York 100, and 
from Albany 110 miles. Pop. 2,610. 




Western entrance into Monticello. 

Monticello, the county seat, on the Newburg and Cochecton turn- 
pike, named after Jefferson's residence, was founded in 1804, by 
Messrs. Samuel F. and J. P. Jones, from New Lebanon, Columbia 
county, who were proprietors of most of the lands in the vicinity. 
Judge Piatt Pelton built the second frame house here in 1806. The 
above view was taken near the residence of Mr. E. W. Edmonds, 
and shows on the right the steeple of the Episcopal church, and on 
the left the Presbyterian church and the courthouse. There are 
about 60 dwellings in the village and vicinity. Thompsonville is a 
small post village. Bridgeville and Gales are post-offices. 



TIOGA COUNTY. 



TroGA COUNTY, taken from Montgomery in 1794; bounds since 
much altered : still further reduced in 1836, by the erection of Che- 
mung county from its western portion. Greatest length E. and W. 
31, greatest breadth N. and S. 29 miles. This, with Chemung county, 
is part of the broad and long belt extending westerly from Ulster and 
Green counties to the vicinity of Lake Erie, preserving for a great 
part of the distance a mean height of about 1,600 feet above the 
level of the ocean. The soil of the county consists generally of sandy 
and gravelly loam, interspersed with patches of mud and clay. The 
uplands are commonly better adapted to grass than grain ; but the 
valleys give fine crops of wheat and corn ; oats, barley, peas, beans, 
and hops thrive almost everywhere. The Susquehannah is the 
principal stream of the county. The New York and Erie railroad 
crosses the county E. and W. ; and the railroad from Owego to 
Ithaca N. and S. The county is divided into 9 towns. Pop. 20,351. 



TIOGA COUNTY. 549 

Barton, taken from Tioga in 1824; from Albany 181 miles, from 
Owego W. IG. Factory ville, 17 miles SE. from Elmira, is a small 
village on Cayuta creek. Barton and North Barton are post-offices. 
Pop. 2,305. 

Berkshire, taken from Tioga in 1808 ; from Albany 148, from 
Owego N. 14 miles. Berkshire is a small village. Pop. 955. 

Candor, taken from Spencer in 1811; from Albany 177, from 
Owego N. 8 miles. Pop. 3,367. This town was settled in 1796, 
by emigrants from Hartford county. Conn. Candor village, centrally 
situated, has about 370 inhabitants. The northern portion of this 
town once belonged to the Connecticut school fund. Willseyville is 
the name of a post-office, around which there is a settlement. 

Newark, originally named Westville, and taken from Berkshire in 
1823; from Albany 167, from Owego NE. 8 miles. Pop. 1,616. 
Newark Valley is a pleasant and thriving village. 

Nichols, taken from Tioga in 1824 ; from Albany 167, from Owego 
SW. 10 miles. Rushville, in the valley of the Susquehannah, has 
about 400 inhabitants. Canfield's Corners is a small settlement. 
Pop. 1,986. 

Owego was organized in 1791 ; distant NW. from New York city 
177, from Albany SW. 167, from Elmira E. 36 miles. Pop. 5,329. 
Owego village, the county seat, is pleasantly and advantageously 
situated for trade upon the Susquehannah river, and upon the line of 
the New York and Erie railroad, 30 miles SE. from Ithaca. The 
name Owego is of Indian origin, signifying sivift or sioift river, and 
was applied to the Owego creek, which empties into the Susquehan- 
nah about half a mile from the village. About the year 1783 or 
1784, James McMaster and Amos Draper purchased of the Indians 
what they called a half township, comprising 11,500 acres, and em- 
bracing the site upon which the village now stands. "In 1785, 
McMaster, and William Taylor, still living in Owego, and then a 
bound boy to McMaster, came and cleared in one season 10 or 15 
acres of land, and through the summer planted and raised a crop of 
corn from the same. This was the first transition of the ground, 
where Owego now stands, from a wilderness state. In 1794 or 1795, 
McMaster and Hudson, a surveyor, laid out the village into streets 
and lots, and thus laid the foundation of what Owego now is or shall 

be hereafter The sources of wealth, as the village grew up, 

were salt from Salina, brought to the place and carried down the 
river in arks for the Pennsylvania and Maryland markets, wheat 
from the north, which was also transported down the river, lumber, 
also, and plaster."* 

" Between Owego and Tioga Point there were a number of Indians lived on the river 
plain for a length of time after its settlement by the whites. They demanded a yearly rent 
of the settlers for their land, until a treaty was held with them at Tioga, 3 or 4 years after 
the first settlement. An Indian, called Captain .Tohn, was their chief, or passed as such. 
They were always pleased to have white people eat with them ; and would appear offend. 

* See Annals of Binghampton and of the country connected with it, from which the early 
history of this place is extracted. 



550 



TIOGA COUNTY. 



ed, if, when calling at their wigwams when they were eating, they refused to eat with 
them. In seeking their rent, which they expected to be paid in grain, or when they wished 
to borrow, or buy, or beg, they never would ask for wheat, but always for corn. It is said, 
that some of the squaws could make an excellent kind of cake, out of fine Indian meal, 
dried berries, and maple sugar. When they wished to beg something to eat, instead of 
expressing it in words, they would place their hand first on their stomach and then to their 
mouth. This mute language must have been a powerful appeal to the hospitality and sym. 
pathies of their more fortunate brethren. When they had bad luck, it is said, they would 
eat some kind of root which made them very sick and vomit, that they might, as they said, 
have better luck in future. 

" A few years after the country was settled, there prevailed an extensive and serious 
famine. It was felt more particularly in the region between Owego and EIniira, embracing 
Tioga. It was experienced even down to Wyoming. For 6 weeks or more the inhabitants 
were entirely without bread or its kind. This season of famishing occurred immediately 
before the time of harvesting. So far as the cause of this destitution was accounted for, it 
was supposed to result from a greater number, than usual, of new settlers coming in, and 
also a great scarcity prevailing in Wyoming that season. This being a much older settled 
country, a scarcity here would materially affect the newer parts. During the prevalency of 
this want of bread, the people were languid in their movements, irresolute and feeble in 
what they undertook, emaciated and gaunt in their appearance. The inhabitants, as a sub. 
stitute for more substantial food, gathered, or rather, it is believed, dug what were called 
wild beans ; which, it seems, were found in considerable quantities. These they boiled 
and ate, with considerable relish. They would also gather the most nutritious roots and 
eat. As soon as their rye was in the milk, it was seized upon, and by drying it over a 
moderate fire, until the grain acquired some consistency, they were enabled to pound it 
into a sort of meal, out of which they made mush. This was a very great relief, although 
the process was tedious, and attended with much waste of the grain. In the early part of 
the scarcity, while there was a possibility of finding grain or flour of any kind abroad, 
instances were not unfrequent, of families tearing up their feather-beds, and sending away 
the feathers in exchange for bread ; and instances also of individuals riding a whole day 
and not obtaining a half of a loaf. During the time of this great want, however, none 
died of hunger. There were two young men that died in consequence of eating to excess, 
when their hunger came to be relieved by the green rye." 




West view of the courthouse and other buildings, Owego. 

The above view was taken near the residence of Dr. Lucius Allen. 
The building with a cupola near the centre of the drawing is the 
courthouse, the one on the right the academy, both of which face the 
public square. The building seen in the distance is the Baptist 
church. Besides the above, there are in the village 1 Presbyterian 
and 1 Methodist church, the Owego bank, capital $200,000, 3 fine- 



TOMPKINS COUNTY. 551 

hotels, and about 200 dwellings. The railroad which extends from 
here to Ithaca, was the second chartered in the state, (1828,) and is 
29 J miles in length. East Owego and Flemingville are names of 
post-offices in this town. 

The following inscription was copied from a monument in the vil- 
lage graveyard. 

" In memory of Coi,. David Pixley, who departed this Hfe Aug. 25th, 1807, in the 67th 
year of his age. — He was an officer of the revolution at the siege of Quebec in 1775, under 
Gen. Montgomery, was the first settler of Owego in 1790, and continued its father and 
friend until his death." 

RicHFORD, taken from Berkshire in 1833 ; from Owego N. 18 miles. 
Richford is a neat but small village centrally situated. Pop. 938. 

Spencer was taken from Owego in 1806; from Owego NW. 13 miles. 
Pop. 1,532. Spencer, on the Cattotong creek, has several churches 
and about 450 inhabitants. It was previous to 1822 the seat of jus- 
tice of the county. The courthouse having been burnt, it was re- 
moved to the then half-shire towns of Owego and Elmira, the latter 
of which is now the seat of justice for Chemung county. East Spen- 
cer is a post-office. 

TioGA was formed in 1800; from Albany 176 miles. Pop. 2,323. 
Smithborough, 12 miles SW. from Owego, and Ransomville, are 
small villages. 



TOMPKINS COUNTY. 

Tompkins county, named in honor of the Hon. Daniel D. Tomp- 
kins, formerly Vice-president of the United States, was taken from 
Cayuga and Seneca counties in 1817; limits since changed. Great- 
est length E. and W. 34, greatest breadth N. and S. 28 miles ; cen- 
trally distant from New York 212, and from Albany 163 miles. 
This county forms part of the high land in the southwestern portion 
of the state. Its summit generally is elevated from 1,200 to 1,400 
feet, but the singular and deep basins in which he the Cayuga and 
Seneca lakes, have given a peculiar formation to its surface, and to 
the course and character of its streams. The Cayuga lake indents 
it on the N. about 18 miles ; the Seneca lake extends southerly on 
its western border 12 miles. The greater portion of the country 
dechnes from all sides towards the Cayuga lake. The ascent from 
the shores of the lake is gradual and smooth to the eye, yet it is 
rapid, and attains within 2 miles the height of at least 500 feet. 
This gives to the streams a precipitous character. The towns of 
Newfield, Danby, and Caroline, were purchased from the state by 
Messrs. Watkins and Flint. The towns north of these, excepting a 
small portion in the northeastern part of Dryden, belong to the mill- 



552 TOMPKINS COUNTY. 

tary tract. That portion was in the cession to Massachusetts. The 
county is chiefly settled by New England emigrants. The New 
York and Erie railroad passes through the county. Tompkins county 
is divided into 10 towns. Pop. 38,113. 

Caroline, taken from Spencer in 1811 ; W. from Albany 165, 
centrally distant from Ithaca SE. 11 miles. Caroline, Speedville, 
Mott's Coi-ners, and Slatersville, are small post villages, of which 
the latter is the largest. Pop. 2,459. 

Danby, taken from Spencer in 1811; from Albany 172 miles. 
The Ithaca and Owego railroad crosses the northeastern border of 
the town. Danby is a small village 6 miles S. of Ithaca, upon the 
Owego turnpike. South Danby is a post-ofiice. Pop. 2,570. 

Dryden, taken from Ulysses in 1803; from Albany 153 miles. 
Dryden is a neat village 1 1 miles NE. of Ithaca, containing about 50 
dwellings. Etna, Verna, and West Dryden, are smaller settlements. 
Pop. 5,433. 

Enfield was taken from Ulysses in 1821 ; from Albany 171, cen- 
trally distant 6 miles W. of Ithaca. West Enfield and Enfield are 
the names of the post-offices. Pop. 2,343. 

Groton, originally named Division, was organized in 1817 ; from 
Albany W. 160, from Ithaca centrally distant NE. 14 miles. 
McLeansville, Groton, Peruville, Fall Creek, and West Groton are 
small post villages. Pop. 3,618. 

Hector was taken from Ovid in 1802; from Ithaca W. 16 miles. 
Burdette, Mecklenburg, Reynoldsville, and Searsburg, are small post 
villages. There are one or two other post-offices and small settle- 
ments in the town. Pop. 5,654. The Hector Falls, a beautiful 
cascade of 20 feet, are upon a stream which empties into the Seneca 
lake, near the village of Burdette. 

Ithaca was taken from Ulysses in 1821. Pop. 5,811. Around the 
head of the Cayuga lake, which extends about two miles within the 
limits of the town, are several thousand acres of alluvial flats. From 
this plain, the hills rise on three sides in the form of an amphitheatre, 
to the height of 500 feet, exhibiting uncommonly beautiful and mag- 
nificent scenery. To the lover of nature, few places afford scenes 
of more interest than Ithaca. There are several splendid cataracts 
within the space of a very few miles, each of which has its pecu- 
liar attractions, among which are the Cascadilla, Eagle, Lucifer, 
Taghcanic, and those on Fall creek, about a mile distant from the 
village of Ithaca. These last are the most visited, and derive an 
additional interest from the tunnel, a subterraneous work of art, 200 
feet in length, from 10 to 12 wide, and 13 feet in height, which con- 
ducts the water from a point a few rods above the first fall to a mill 
site at the bridge below. 

The village of Ithaca was founded by the late Simeon De Witt, sur- 
veyor-general of the state. It is beautifully situated about a mile and 
a half above the Cayuga lake, partially upon the flats and partially 
upon the hill. It is distant 163 miles from Albany, 40 SE. from 
Geneva, and 29 from Owego. The Cayuga inlet is navigable to the 



liiili'iiiiil'iiii'?*'*^' 



ILL V 



MMiM^iAii.M&^ Mh 1.1 



TOMPKINS COUNTY. 553 

lake for boats of 50 tons. Ithaca is well located for trade. It com- 
municates with the Erie canal by the lake and Seneca canal, and with 
the Susquehannah river and the line of the Erie railroad, by the 
Owego railroad. The village contains upwards of 700 dwellings, 1 
Presbyterian, 1 Methodist, 1 Episcopal, 1 Baptist, and 1 Dutch Re- 
formed church, the Ithaca Academy, 2 banks, several printing offices, 
a very extensive map-publishing establishment, a variety of mills and 
manufactories, and about 4,000 inhabitants. The Ithaca and Owego 
railroad, the second chartered in the state, (1828,) is 29i miles in 
length. It ascends from the level of the lake by two inclined planes ; 
the first, 1,733-^ feet long, rises 1 foot in 4.28, or 405 feet; the other, 
2,225 feet long, ascends 1 foot in 21 feet. The whole elevation above 
the lake overcome, is 602 feet within 8 miles ; after which thei^e is a 
descent of 376 feet to Owego. Stationary steam-power is used upon 
the first, and horse-power upon the second plane and other portions 
of the road. 

The Presbyterian church was erected in 1817; the society which 
worships in this house is the oldest in the village, having been organ- 
ized in 1804 or 1805. They worshipped in a common school-house 
until 1816, which being demolished in a riot, the congregation 
were obliged for a season to meet in an old barn. Their first 
pastor was the Rev. Mr. Mandeville, who officiated till 1816. 
William Wisner, A. E. Campbell, and John W. McCullough, have 
been succeeding ministers. The Methodist Episcopal church was 
erected in 1819, and enlarged in 1826. The Episcopal church was 
built in 1824. The first Baptist society was constituted in Oct. 1826 ; 
their church was opened for worship in Jan. 1831. The Reformed 
Dutch church was organized in 1830 ; their meeting-house was com- 
pleted in 1683. The Ithaca Journal, the oldest newspaper in the 
county, was established by Ebenezer Mack, in 1818. 

Lansing was taken from Genoa of Cayuga county in 1817. Lud- 
low ville, 10 miles N. of Ithaca, has about 60 dwellings. Lansingville 
12, North Lansing 10, and South Lansing 8 miles from Ithaca, are 
small villages. Pop. 3,673. 

Newfield was originally named Spencer, and organized in 1811 
as part of Tioga county. Newfield, 7 miles S W. of Ithaca, is a small 
post village, containing 2 churches and about 60 dwellings. It was 
founded in 1820. Pop. 3,572. 

Ulysses was organized in 1801. Trumansburg, 11 miles NW. 
from Ithaca, has 1 Baptist, 1 Methodist, and 1 Presbyterian church, 
and about 100 dwellings. Jacksonville, Waterburg, and Halsey ville, 
are small settlements. On Halsey creek, about 10 miles from Ithaca, 
are the Taghcanic Falls, shown in the following engraving. This 
cataract is about 200 feet in height, and the rocks tower 100 feet 
above the top. Viewed from above or beneath, the scene is one of 
sublimity. The latter, however, is the best. To witness this, the 
visiter is obliged to go down the stream about a mile, and return by 
the valle}^ which is bounded by a rocky gorge, with perpendicular 
rocks rising in some places 400 or 500 ieet above the bed of the 

70 



554 



TOMPKINS COUNTY. 




Taghcanic or Goodwin's Falls, Ulysses. 

creek, when the scene bursts suddenly upon him in all its wildness 
and majesty. 

The following account of an adventure with a bear, at this place, 
communicated by Mr. George Weyburn, a resident in this vicinity, 
shows that not many years have elapsed since this was a spot 

" Where beasts with man divided empire claimed." 

One Sunday evening in October, about 47 years since, as my father, Mr. Samuel Wey. 
burn, was returning from feeding his horse on the north side of the creek, near where the 
distillery now stands, his dog started up a bear and her two cubs. They followed their 
course up the hill on the south side of the creek until near the summit, a few rods above 
the mill-site fall, where the cubs took to a tree. My father ran to the house, and, having 
obtained his gun, pursued. Being directed by the barking of the dog, he passed about 20 
rods beyond the tree in which the cubs were, and there he found the bear with her back 
against a tree standing on the brink of the gulf, defending herself from the attacks of the 
dog. He fired, and, as it afterward proved, broke one of her fore legs. The animal re. 
treated into the gulf, and was seen no more that night. In the mean time my mother, 
brother, and myself, who had followed in the pursuit, came to the tree into which the cubs 
had retreated, who, being frightened at the report of the gun and the sound of our voices, 
began to cry mam .' mam .' in the most affecting tones, strongly resembling the human 
voice. My mother having called my father, he shot the cubs and returned home. The next 
morning, my father thinking that he had either killed or severely wounded the animal, for the 
want of a better weapon, (having expended his only charge of gunpowder the evening pre- 
vious,) took a pitchfork and proceeded in quest of the enemy, accompanied by myself and 
brother. I was armed with a small axe ; but my brother, not being equipped for war, was 
allowed to accompany us 6are-handed. Thus accoutred and followed by our dog, we pro- 
ceeded to within about 40 rods of the great fall, when my father, apprized of the nearness 
of the enemy by the barking of the dog, ran and left us in the rear. We soon came in 
sight of the bear and dog, who were passing from the left wall of the precipice across the 
basin to the right, and ascended up almost to the perpendicular rock, a distance of 80 or 
100 feet. My father, climbing up lower down, was enabled to intercept her passage in 
consequence of her broken limb. Here the action again commenced by his giving her 
three tliiusts with the fork. The first and second were near the heart, the third struck her 



ULSTER COUNTY. 555 

shoulder-blade, when she turned upon him and he met her with a thrust in her face, putting 
out one of her eyes with one prong and tearing her tongue with the other. She then rushed 
towards him, his feet gave away, and as he fell she caught him by the clothes, near his 
breast. At this juncture, he seized her and threw her below him. This he repeated two 
or three times in iheir descent towards the bottom of the ravine, during which she bit him 
in both his legs and in his arms. At the bottom, in the creek, lay a stone whose front 
was not unlike the front of a common cooking stove, the water reaching to the top. Near 
this, 4 or 5 feet distant, stood a rock on the bank. Into this snug notch it was his good 
luck to throw his antagonist, with her feet and claws towards the rock in the stream. In 
this situation he succeeded in holding her with his back to hers, and braced between the 
rocks. With his left hand he held her by the back, and with his right clenched her by the 
neck until I came up. I struck her with all my miglit on the back with the axe. At this 
my father sprang from her and seized his fork. The bear turned towards us with a shake 
and a snort — I gave her a severe blow. She fell, but recovering herself, endeavored to 
retreat. We renewed the conflict, and ere long the lifeless corpse of the animal proclaimed 
us masters of the field. The victory was dearly bought, the blood was running in streams 
from my father's hands, and from his limbs into his shoes. On examination, he found that 
she had bitten him in each limb, inflicting four ugly wounds at each bite, besides a slit in 
his wrist, supposed to have been done by one of her claws." 



ULSTER COUNTY. 

Ulster, an original county, was organized in 1683. It is from 
New York centrally distant N. 110, and from Albany S. 60 miles. 
Greatest length E. and W. 50, breadth N. and S. 40 miles. The 
face of the country is mountainous. The Shawangunk mountain en- 
ters the county from Orange, and running NE. nearly 30 miles, sinks 
into low and irregular hills in Hurley; but its continuity is preserved 
to Kingston near the Hudson. Northward of that village it again 
rises, until it is identified with the Catskill mountains. Between the 
Blue and Shawangunk mountains is a broad valley through which 
winds the Rondout river, a stream whose name is a corruption of 
the word Redoubt, so named after a fortification built upon the stream 
by the early Dutch settlers. The Wallkill runs a northeast course 
south of the Shawangunk mountain, receiving the Shawangunk creek, 
and uniting with the Rondout, 8 miles from its mouth. The three 
streams above noticed are the great drains of the county, and afford 
very advantageous mill power, within a few miles of the tide, much 
of which is yet unemployed. In the vrest the Nevisink river and other 
tributaries of the Delaware have their sources. The Delaware and 
Hudson canal enters the county at its southwest border, and passing 
through the towns of Wawarsing, Rochester, Marbletown, and Hur- 
ley, unites in the town of Kingston with the Rondout, 21 miles from 
the Hudson. The inhabitants are much engaged in manufacturing, 
and much attention has been given to the raising of sheep and cattle, 
for which purpose few counties are better adapted. The county was 
settled by the Dutch as early as 1616. Tradition says that at a very 
early period there were settlers upon the Minisink on the Dela- 
ware, who transported some valuable minerals by the road along the 



550 



ULSTER COt'NTV. 



Rondout to the North river. This county appears to have suffered 
more from Indian hostiUties tlian any other portion of the country 
while under the Dutch. The county is divided into 14 towns. Pop. 
45,724. 

Esopus, formerly called Kline or Little Esopus, taken from Kings- 
ton in 1810 ; from Albany 69, from Kingston S. 6 miles. Elmores 
Corners is a small post village, half a mile west of the Hudson. 
Pop. 1,927. 

IIuRLEY, organized in 1788 ; from Albany 04 miles. The inhabit- 
ants are chiefly descendants from the early Dutch settlers and New 
England emigrants, and their progeny. Pop. 2,201. Hurley, on the 
right bank of the Esopus, 3 miles SW. from Kingston, and Rosendale, 
8 miles SW., are small villages. At the latter place a large quantity 
of lime is manufactured, celebrated for its strength and durability. 
Pop. 2,201. 




Eastern view of Kingston. 

Kingston- was organized in 1788. It has a rolling surfac;'. and 
generally a good soil. Pop. 5,824. It was one of the earliest Dutch 
settlements in the state, having commenced in 1016, and is said to have 
been the third place settled in New York. In 1 002, it had a settled min- 
ister, and the county records commence about that period. Kingston 
village, formerly called Esopus, was incorporated in 1805. The 
above engraving shows the appearance of the village as viewed from 
the residence of J. H. Rutzer, Esq., which is situated on a gentle 
eminence a few rods south of the Rondout road. The Catskill moun- 
tains are seen in the extreme distance. The village is regularly laid 
out on ten streets, and beautifully situated on the fertile pine flats el- 
evated about 40 feet above the Esopus creek. These flats commence 
at Kingston and extend to Saugerties, about ten or twelve miles, and 
are from 2 to 2? miles in width. The village contains the county 
buildings, 1 Dutch Reformed, 1 Episcopal, 1 Methodist, and 1 Bap- 



ULSTKR COUNTY. 557 

tist church, an academy, 2 banks, 3 newspaper establishments, a large 
iron foundry, and about 275 dwellings, many of which are built of 
blue limestone. It is 58 miles from Albany, 93 from New York, and 
about 3 from the landing on Hudson river. The village of Rondout, 
about a mile from the Hudson, was founded in 1828 by the Delaware 
and Hudson Canal Company, being a place of deposit for their coal. 
It contains a church and about 75 dwellings. Eddysville, a small 
village partly in Esopus and partly in Kingston, is at the head of 
navigation on Rondout creek, 4 miles above its mouth, at the com- 
mencement of the Hudson and Delaware canal. 

" In the year 1663, the Indians near Esopus, (now Kingston,) who had for some time 
evinced discontent with their Dutch neighbors, seem to have united in a plan for extermi- 
nating tlie whites. In the month of June, while they amused the people with a negotia- 
tion for better neighborhood, they seized the opportunity, while the men of the village were 
at their agricultural employment abroad, to enter, as 'tis said, under pretence of trade, and 
in a very short time killed or carried off captive sixty-five persons. The Netherlanders, 
who from anterior hostilities had been induced to erect a fort, rallied and seized their arms ; 
but the natives, as if intending further aggression, likewise erected a palisaded fortification, 
and were probably increasing in force, when Martin Crygier arriving from New Amsterdam 
with troops sent by Governor Stuyvesant, the red men fled to the mountains. 

" During part of this summer the director-general repaired to Esopus, and by sending out 
parties, not only kept the superior numbers of the enemy in check, but made inroads among 
the hill fastnesses, destroyed the Indian villages and forts, laid waste and burnt their fields 
and magazines of maize, killed many of their warriors, released the Dutch captives to the 
number of twenty-two, and captured eleven of the enemy. These vigorous operations 
were followed by a truce in December, and a treaty of peace the May following." 

The village of Kingston was one of the largest places in the prov- 
ince of New York previous to the revolution. It was laid in ashes 
by the British under General Vaughan in October, 1777, and a large 
quantity of public stores were destroyed. It is stated that at that 
period the village was nearly as large as it is at the present time. 
Every house, excepting one in which Mrs. Hammersly resided, was 
destroyed. This lady being acquainted with some of the British 
officers, it was spared on her account. The following account of the 
burning of this place is from the Connecticut Journal of Oct. 27 : — 

" In our last we observed that the British proceeded up the river past this place. As they 
went along, they burnt a few mills, houses, and boats. On Friday they reached Esopus, 
and there landed a number of men, who marched up to the defenceless town of Kingston, 
about two miles from the river, and immediately set it on fire ; the conflagration was gen- 
eral in a few minutes, and in a short time that pleasant and wealthy town was reduced to 
ashes ; only one house escaping the flames. Thus by the wantonness of power, the third 
town in this state for size, elegance, and wealth is reduced to a heap of rubbish ; and the 
once happy inhabitants, (who are chiefly of Dutch descent,) obliged to solicit for shelter 
among strangers, and those who possessed lately elegant and convenient dwellings, obliged 
to take up with such huts as they find can defend them from the cold blasts of approaching 
winter. We learn that the inhabitants saved the best part of their movable property, but 
some lost the best part of their temporal all. 'Tis said the enemy took little time to plun. 
der, being told that General Clinton was at hand with 1,500 men, but unluckily not so near 
as to save the town. They burnt several vessels and houses at the landing, then scamper, 
ed off precipitately to their vessels. Next day they burnt several houses at Rhynebeck 
Flatts, and proceeded as far as Livingston's manor, where they burnt a few more ; our 
troops are now up with them. It is hoped they will be able to put a stop to these depreda. 
tions." 

The following is an eastern view of the house of .Tames W. Baldwin, 
Esq., recently standing on the corner of Maiden-lane and Fair-street, 



558 



ULSTER COUNTY. 




The building in which the Constitution of New York was formed. 

in the village of Kingston. It is built of blue limestone, which was pro- 
cured in the vicinity. It was in a chamber in this building that the 
convention met and formed the first constitution of the state of New 
York, which was adopted April 20th, 1777. "It embraced the out- 
lines of a state government ; defined the powers and duties of the 
executive, legislative, judicial, and military departments ; prescribed 
the mode of elections, and secured to the citizens their natural and 
unalienable rights. From the adoption of this instrument to the pres- 
ent day, the state of New York has been under the empire of laws 
either framed or adopted by representatives elected by the spontane- 
ous suflTrages of her citizens." 

During the revolutionary war a number of royalists were executed 
in this town for treason. Judge Hasbrouck of Kingston, who was 
at that time a lad, says that two of them were executed on the first 
hill from the landing. It appears that these unfortunate men expect- 
ed to be reprieved ; when they drew near the gallows, and saw the 
preparation for their execution, they became overwhelmed with a 
sense of their awful situation, and exclaimed, " O heer ! vergeeven 
onze zonde" (O Lord ! forgive our sins.) The father of Judge Has- 
brouck, one of the principal men of the place, although a firm friend 
to the American cause, was opposed to the execution, and suffered 
much anguish of mind on account of these harsh and bloody meas- 
ures. These men, although tories, were persons of respectability, who 
had families. Between 20 and 30 royalists who were taken up, en- 
listed in the American army, and thus saved their lives. 

Marbletown, organized in 1788 ; from Albany S. 66 miles. Mar- 
ble of a superior quality abounds. Marbletown 7 miles SW. of 
Kingston, Stony Ridge 10 SW., and High Falls on the Rondout 
12 miles from Kingston, are small settlements. Yaughcripple Bush, 
12 miles from Kingston, is a hamlet. Pop. 3,812. 

Marlborough, organized in 1788; from Albany 75 miles. The 
inhabitants are more generally of English origin than any other town 
in the county. Marlborough, 26 miles S. of Kingston, and Milton 



ULSTER COUNTY. 559 

22 miles, are both on the Hudson, and have each about 30 dwelUngs. 
Latintown is a small village centrally situated. Pop. 2,534. 

New Paltz was organized in 1788 ; from Albany S. 70 miles. 
The inhabitants are descendants of the primitive Dutch settlers. Pop. 
5,412. New Paltz, on the Wallkill, 16 miles SW. from Kingston, has 
about 30 dwellings, principally of stone, in the ancient Dutch style, 
and an incorporated academy. New Paltz Landing, on the Hudson 
opposite Poughkeepsie, 20 miles S. of Kingston, is a small settlement. 
Dashville and Springtown are small villages on the Wallkill. 

Olive, taken from Marbletown, Hurley, and Shandanken in 1823; 
from Albany S. 64 miles. " The City" and Caseville, 14 miles W. 
of Kingston, are small settlements. Pop. 2,023. 

Plattekill, taken from Marlborough in 1800 ; from Albany 76 
miles. Pleasantville, 26 miles S. from Kingston, and Modena, are 
small settlements. Pop. 2,123. 

Rochester, organized in 1788; from Albany 75, from Kingston 
SW. centrally distant 17 miles. This town was originally named 
Mombackus, meaning Indian face. Accord and Kyserike are post- 
offices. Pop. 2,674. Rochester is a small settlement. 

Saugerties, taken from Kingston in 1811. Pop. 6,119. Maiden, 
on the Hudson, 13 miles N. of Kingston, is a place of considerable 
business, and has an academy and about 40 dwellings. Glasgo, on 
the river, 9 miles N. from Kingston, is a small settlement. 

Ulsterville, (late Saugerties,) at the confluence of the Esopus 
creek with the Hudson, 100 miles N. of New York, 44 S. from Al- 
bany, and 10 from Kingston. " This place, now one of the most 
thrifty on the river, was undistinguished until the year 1826, when 
Mr. Henry Barclay, of New York, duly appreciating the value of the 
water-power, became the purchaser of it and several farms in the 
vicinity. By a strong dam and a raceway, cut 65 feet perpendicularly 
through the rock, there has been obtained the use of the water under 
a fall of 47 feet, which may be applied twice in its descent. The en- 
terprising proprietor established a large paper mill, extensive iron 
works, and erected a building for calico printing, since converted into 
a paint manufactory. The business of the country now centres here ; 
and the trade employs 30 or 40 sloops and schooners, of from 80 to 
150 tons burden. In 1825, there was not a single church here : there 
are now five neat edifices for public worship." Five miles above 
Ulster village, upon the creek at Whittaker's Falls, there is a very 
flourishing manufacturing village. 

Shandaken, a name signifying in Indian, " rapid waters," and as the 
old settlers report, the name of an Indian who anciently resided there. 
This town is in the NW. extremity of the county, and was taken from 
Woodstock in 1804; from Kingston NW. 30 miles. Pop. 1,464. 
Shandaken, Shandaken Corners, and Pine Hill, are the post-offices. 

Shawangunk. Shawan, in the language of the Mohegan Indians, 
means white salt, and Gunk, rocks or piles of rocks. The term 
Shawangunk, is said to have been applied by them to a precipice of 
white rocks of the mill-stone kind, near the top of these mountains, 



560 ULSTER CUUNTY. 

and facing the east. This town was organized in 1788 ; distant 
from Albany S. 91, from Kingston SW. 28 miles. In this and the 
adjoining towns the skeletons of 9 mammoths have been dug up ; one 
of which has been sent entire to Europe, and the other exhibited in a 
museum at Philadelphia. The one at Philadelphia must have been 4 
or 5 times as large as an elephant. Shawangunk, New Henly, Bruyns- 
wick, and Ulsterville, are names of post-offices. Pop. 3,885. 

Wawarsing was taken from Rochester in 1806 ; from Albany SW. 
80 miles. Waa-wa-sing, in the Indian language, means blackbird's 
nest. At the Hong Falls upon the river, there is a descent of 64 
feet nearly perpendicular, and one mile below them, near the village 
of Napanock, is another cascade, and, including the rapids, a fall of 
200 feet. Iron ore and plumbago of good quality are found here. 
Wawarsing, 24 miles SW. from Kingston, and Port Hixon, on the 
canal, are small settlements. Ellenviile, Napanock, and Port Benja- 
min, all on the Hudson and Delaware canal, are small villages. 
Pop. 4,044. 

The following are extracts from ancient newspapers : 

From the Connecticut Journal, Sept. 2, 1778. 
" PocGHKEEPSiE, AuGf. 17. — We have also certain accounts that Andrieson and Osterhouf, 
who were taken by the Indians and tories at Leghewegh, in Ulster county, some time ago, 
made their escape from tiiem when within one day's march of Niagara, and are returned 
home. They were committed to the charge of three Indians, one a captain, and two squaws, 
■who treated them with great severity, threatened to kill Osterhout, who from fatigue and 
hunger could not travel as fast as they would have him. At night, the Indians thinking 
themselves secure from their great distance back into the country, went to sleep ; when 
Andrieson proposed to Osterhout to seize the opportunity of putting them to death ; which 
(Osterhout declining,) he executed himself by very expeditiously tomahawking the three 
Indians before they were so far recovered from their sleep as to make any eflectual resist- 
ance. The squaws waking with the noise, took to their heels and escaped. Whereupon 
Andrieson and Osterhout, possessing theinselves of the Indians' provisions, consisting of 3 
or 4 ducks and 2 quarts of samp, with the most valuable part of the Indians' plunder, con- 
sisting of some fine linen shirts, a laced beaver hat, with other articles of clothing, and 
some silver, with each of them a gun, set out for home, wiiere they arrived after 17 days' 
march, much worn out with fatigue and hunger, but in high spirits." 

Fro7n the Connecticut Journal of May 19, 1779. 
" We have advice from Warwasink in Ulster county, that on Tuesday last, the 4th inst., 
a party of the enemy, supposed to be mostly tory inhabitants, burnt four dwelling-houses 
and five barns in that neighborhood at the Fantine Kill, and killed six people, besides three 
or four more who are supposed to be burnt in their houses. Advice of the mischief being 
brought to Col. Cortlandt, stationed there with his regiinent, he immediately marched in 
pursuit of the enemy, whom he twice got sight of on a mountain, exchanged some shots 
with them, though at too great a distance, and endeavored to su'Tound them, but in vain; 
they all made their escape. In their flight they left a young woman whom they had taken, 
from whom we received the account, that their number was 3 Indians, and 27 while 
savages." 

From the Connecticut Journal, Oct. 11, 1781. 
" Early in the morning of the 22d ult., a party of Indians and tories, consisting of about 
400, entered the beautiful settlement of Warwarsing, situated on the great road leading from 
Minisink to Esopus, about 35 miles from the former ; at their first coming to the place, 
they were hailed by a sentinel who was at the gate of a piquet fort where was a sergeant's 
guard kept, (which were the only soldiers in that quarter;) they not making any answer, 
induced the sentinel to fire and run within the fort, which alarmed the garrison. The 
enemy kept up a constant fire upon the fort for some time, but without eflect, and at last 
retired in confusion, with the loss of three killed and two wounded. They then proceeded 



WAUREN COUNTY. 561 

to burning and plundering the place. The inhabitants being alarmed by the firing at the 
fort, all made their escape, except one John Kettle, whom they killed. The loss of these 
poor people is very great ; the fate of an hour reduced them from a state of ease and afflu- 
ence to want and beggary. Thirteen elegant dwelling-houses, with all the out-buildings 
and furniture, 14 spacious barns filled with wheat, besides barracks, stables, stacks of hay 
and grain, were all consumed. Between 60 and 70 horses, mostly very fine, a great num- 
ber of cattle, sheep, and hogs, were driven off. Col. Pauling, getting intelligence of the 
above, immediately collected about 200 New York levies and militia, and pursued them 
about 40 miles ; but was not able to overtake them.* It appeared that they fled in confu- 
sion, as they left a considerable quantity of plunder behind them in many places. By a 
white man who has been with them 3 years, and made his escape while Warwarsing was 
in flames, we learn that this party was from Niagara, and that they were 4 weeks and 3 
days on their way ; that they were exceedingly distressed for want of provisions, insomuch 
that they eat up their pack-horses and dogs. He adds that the garrison of Niagara was in 
a melancholy situation for the want of provisions and the necessaries of life, and that the 
lories there most bitterly execrate the day they were deluded by the tyrant's emissaries to 
take up arms against their native country." 

Woodstock, organized in 1788 ; from Albany SW. 50, from King- 
ston NW. centrally distant 12 miles. Bristol and Woodstock are 
small villages. Pop. 1,692. 



WARREN COUNTY. 

Warren county, taken from the NW. part of Washington county 
in 1813. It is principally situated on the west side of Lake George, 
centrally distant from New York 240, and from Albany 75 miles. 
Greatest length N. and S. 44, greatest breadth E. and W. 40 miles. 
With the exception of a small district on the SE., the whole county 
is mountainous. The mountains, which are of primitive formation, 
are covered with a heavy growth of trees, and contain it is said 
abundance of iron ore of good quality, but have very small portions 
of arable soil. The valleys, which are narrow, contain some fertile 
alluvion, on secondary limestone. The principal employment of the 
inhabitants is getting lumber, which is sent to market by the rivers, 
lake, and Champlain canal. This county embraces about one half 

* Col. Pauling arrived at the outskirts in time to catch a ghmpse of the enemy's rear, 
and to relieve some of the inhabitants, among whom were a man and his wife, who had 
conducted themselves with distinguished bravery. His house was constructed of unhewn 
logs, in the woods, and in advance of all others. On the appearance of the foe, he fled to 
his castle with his wife, and securing it in the best manner he could, gave battle to a party 
of the Indians who laid siege to his fortress. Being well armed, he defended himself with 
so much spirit, that they recoiled with loss. Finding, after several attempts, that they 
could not force an entrance, the Indians collected a heap of combustibles, and set fire to 
the premises. Retiring a short distance to see the result, the man watched his opportunity, 
and rushing out with a couple of buckets, he procured water, which was close at hand, and 
extinguished the fire. The Indians, of course, ran down upon him ; but not being quick 
enough of foot to prevent his gaining the door, hurled their tomahawks at his head — happily 
without effect. He entered his castle, made fast his sally-port, and re-commenced his de- 
fence. Just at this moment Col. Pauhng with his troops appeared in sight, whereupon the 
Indians raised the siege and departed, — Life of Brant. 

71 



WARREN COUNTY. 



of the Horicon or Lake George, the greater part of Schroon lake, the 
whole of Brant lake, and many smaller ones. The Horicon is a 
beautiful sheet of water 33 miles long, and about 2 wide, and dis- 
charges its waters northward into Lake Champlain at Ticonderoga. 
Its waters are very deep and clear, and abound with the finest fish. 
The mountain scenery of this lake is excelled in its romantic beauties 
by none in the world. Schroon and Brant lakes are beautiful sheets 
of water, and abound with fish similar to Lake George. The county 
is divided into 10 towns. Pop. 13,470. 

Athol. originally called Thurman ; distant from Albany 70, and 
from Caldwell WNW. 18 miles. Pop. 1,210. 

Bolton, bounded on the east by Lake George, from Caldwell N. 
9 miles. Pop. 1,153. 

Caldwell, the shire town of Warren county, was organized in 
1810, and named hi honor of James Caldwell, Esq., a principal pro- 




View of Caldwell, on Lake George. 



prietor and benefactor. 



the south end of Lake George 



It has a mountainous surface, and embraces 
Pop. 635. Caldwell village lies at 
the head of Lake George, 62 miles from Albany. 9 from Glenn's Falls, 
and 27 from Saratoga springs. The village consists of about 50 
dweUings. 

The scenery in this vicinity is of a wild and picturesque character, similar to the High, 
lands of Scotland. Westward, rises a range of mountains, the highest of which is Prospect 
or Rattlesnake Hill, which is an elevation of about 1,500 feet. Remains of forts William 
Henry and George, are still to be seen at the head of the lake, a short distance east of the 
courthouse. 

This village and the lake has become quite a fashionable place of resort during the warm 
season of the year. Besides the attractions of the natural scenery, it is rendered interesting 
from having been the theatre of important military operations. The celebrated " Battle of 
Lake George," on Sept. 8th, 1755, was fought in the ^cinity of Bloody Pond, so called 
from the fact that corpses of the slain were thrown into it. The battle was between the 
provincial troops under Major-general, afterward Sir William Johnson, aided by a body of 
Indians under Hendrick the Mohawk chieftain, and a body of French Canadians and Indi- 



WARREN COUNTY. 563 

ans under Baron Dieskau, a French nobleman. Tlie baron embarked at Fort Frederick, at 
Crown Point, with 2,000 men in batteaux, and landed at Skeensboro, now Whitehall. Hav- 
ing understood that Johnson lay carelessly encamped at the head of Lake George, he de- 
termined to attack him. 

The following account of the conflict that ensued, is given by Dr. 
Dwight, who received much of his information from eye-witnesses 
of the action. 

On the night of Sunday, Sept. 7, at 12 o'clock, information was brought, that the enemy 
had advanced 4 miles on the road from Fort Edward to Lake George ; or half way between 
the village of Sandy-Hill and Glenn's falls. A council of war was held early in the morning, 
at which it was resolved to send a party to meet them. The number of men, determined 
upon at first, was mentioned by the general to Hendrick ; and his opinion was asked. He 
replied, " If they are to fight, they are too few. If they are to be killed, they are too many." 
The number was accordingly increased. Gen. Johnson also proposed to divide them into 
3 parties. Hendrick took 3 sticks, and, putting them together, said to him, " Put these 
together, and you can't break them. Take them one by one, and you will break them 
easily." The hint succeeded, and Hendrick's sticks saved the party, and probably the 
whole army, from destruction. 

The party detached consisted of 1,200, and were commanded by Col. Ephraim Williams, 
a brave and skilful officer, greatly beloved by the soldiery, and greatly respected by the 
country at large. Lieut. Col. Whiting, of New Haven, was second in command, and 
brought up the rear. Col. Williams met the enemy at Rocky brook, 4 miles from Lake 
George, Dieskau had been informed of his approach by his scouts, and arranged his men 
in the best possible order to receive them, extending his line on both sides of the road in 
the form of a half-moon. Johnson did not begin to raise his breastwork until after Williams 
had marched ; nor, as a manuscript account of this transaction, now before me, declares, 
until after the rencounter between Williams and the enemy had begun. 

Williams marched his men directly into the hollow of the half-moon. This will be ex- 
plained by the fact, that the whole country was a deep forest. When the enemy saw them 
completely within his power, he opened a fire of musketry on the front and on both flanks 
of the English at the same moment. The English fell in heaps; and at the head of them 
their gallant commander. Hendrick, also, was mortally wounded, fighting with invincible 
courage in the front of his people. He was shot in the back : a fact which filled him with 
disdain and anguish ; as he thought, that he should be believed to have fled from the enemy. 
The truth was, the horns of the half-moon were so far advanced, that they in a great meas. 
ure enclosed the van of the English, and fired upon them from the rear. From this fire 
Hendrick received the wound which terminated his life. 

Upon the death of Col. Williams, Lieut. Col. Whiting succeeded to the command of the 
detachment. He was an officer of great merit, and had gained much applause at the re. 
duction of Louisburgh ; and, in consequence of his gallant conduct at that siege, had been 
made a captain in the regular British service. Whiting, seeing the danger of his men, 
immediately ordered a retreat ; and conduct^ it so judiciously, that he saved the great 
body of them from destruction, in circumstances of extreme peril ; in which their own con- 
fusion and alarm, and the situation of the ground, threatened their extermination no less 
than the superior numbers of the enemy. 

The noise of the first fire was heard at Lake George. Eflforts began then to be made in 
earnest by the general for the defence of the camp : and a party of 300 men were despatched 
under Lieut. Col. Cole, to support the retreating corps. A few stragglers, both English and 
Indians, came into the camp, and announced, what had indeed been already sufficiently 
evident from the approaching sound of the musketry, that the French army was superior in 
numbers and strength to Col. Williams' corps, and was driving them towards the camp. 
Some time after " the whole party that escaped," says Gen. Johnson, " came in in large 
bodies ;" a decisive proof of the skill and coolness with which Lieut. Col. Whiting con- 
ducted this retreat. These men also arranged themselves in their proper places, and took 
their share in the engagement which followed. 

About half after 11 o'clock, the enemy appeared in sight marching up the road in the 
best order towards the centre of the English. When they came to the bottom of an open 
valley, directly in front of the elevation, on which Fort George was afterward built, and on 
which the centre of the English army was posted, Dieskau halted his men about 15 min- 
utes, at the distance of little more than 150 yards from the breastwork. I have never seen 
a reason assigned for this measure. I think I can assign one. The Indians were sent out 
on the right flank, and a part of the Canadians on the left, intending to come in upon the 



564 WARREN COUNTY. 

rear of the English, while the main body attacked them in front. The ground was remark- 
ably favorable to this design ; being swampy, thickly forested, and, therefore, perfectly fitted 
to conceal the approach of these parties. The Indians, however, were soon discovered by 
Lieut. Col. Pomeroy, who immediately mentioned the fact to the general ; and, observing 
to him, that these people were extremely afraid of cannon, requested that one or two pieces 
might be pointed against them. They were then near the ground on which Fort William 
Henry was afterward built. The general approved of the proposal. A shell was instantly 
thrown among them from a howitzer, and some field-pieces showered upon them a quantity 
of grape-shot. The Indians fled. 

The baron, in the mean time, led up his main body to attack the centre. They began 
the engagement by firing regularly in platoons ; but at so great a distance, that they did 
very little execution. This circumstance was favorable to the English ; and soon recover, 
ing from the panic into which they had been thrown by the preceding events of the day, 
they fought with great spirit and firmness. 

Gen. Johnson, at the commencement of the battle, received a flesh wound in his thigh, 
and the ball lodged in it. He bled freely, but was able to walk away from the army to his 
tent. Gen. Lyman then took the command, and continued in it during the action. This 
gentleman, who seemed to have no passions, except those which are involved in the word 
humanity, immediately stationed himself in the front of the breastwork ; and there, amid 
the thickest danger, issued his orders, during 5 hours, to every part of the army, as occasion 
demanded, with a serenity which many covet, and some boast, but very few acquire. The 
main body of the French kept their ground, and preserved their order, for a considerable 
time ; but the artillery, under the command of Capt. Eyre, a brave English ofl[icer, who 
performed his part with much skill and reputation, played upon them with such success, 
and the fire from the musketry was so warm and well-directed, that their ranks were soon 
thinned, and their efforts slackened sufficiently to show that they despaired of success in 
this quarter. They then made another effort against the right of the English, stationed 
between the road and the site of Fort William Henry, and composed of Ruggles' regiment, 
Williams', now commanded by Lieut. Col. Pomeroy, and Titcomb's. Here a warm fire 
was kept up on both sides about an hour; but on the part of the enemy was unavailing. 

At 4 o'clock, the English, and the Indians who fought with them, leaped over their 
breastwork, and charged the enemy. They fled, and were vigorously pursued for a short 
distance. A considerable number were slain in the pursuit. The wounded, and a very 
few others, were made prisoners. Among these was Dieskau. He was found by a soldier, 
resting on a stump, with hardly an attendant. As he was feeling for his watch, in order to 
give it to the soldier, the man, suspecting that he was searching for a pistol, discharged the 
contents of his musket through his hips. He was carried into the camp in a blanket by 8 
men, with the greatest care and tenderness, but evidently in extreme distress. 

Hendrick had lived to this day with singular honor, and died fighting with a spirit not 
to be excelled. He was at this time from 60 to 65 years of age. His head was covered 
with white locks : and what is uncommon among Indians, he was corpulent. Immediately 
before Col. Williams began his march, he mounted a stage, and harangued his people. He 
had a strong masculine voice; and, it was thought, might be distinctly heard at the distance 
of half a mile ; a fact which, to my own vie\4|has diff"used a new degree of probability over 
Homer's representations of the effects produced by the speeches and shouts of his heroes. 
Lieut. Col. Pomeroy, who was present, and heard this effusion of Indian eloquence, told 
me, that, although he did not understand a word of the language, yet such was the anima. 
tion of Hendrick, the fire of his eye, the force of his gesture, the strength of his emphasis, 
the apparent propriety of the inflections of his voice, and the natural appearance of his 
whole manner, that himself was more deeply affected with this speech, than with any other 
which he had ever heard. In the Pennsylvania Gazette, Sept. 25, 1755, he is styled " the 
famous Hendrick, a renowned Indian warrior among the Mohawks ;" and it is said that 
his son, being told that his father was killed, giving the usual Indian groan upon such 
occasions, and suddenly putting his hand on his left breast, swore, that his father was still 
alive in that place, and that there stood his son. Baron Dieskau was conveyed from Al- 
bany to New York, and from thence to England ; where soon after he died. 

The capture of Fort William Henry, at this place, Aug. 9th, 1757, 

and the massacre by the Indians, created a great sensation in all the 

northern states. The following account of the capture of the fort, 

is extracted from Professor Silliman's Tour. 

The Marquis de Montcalm, after three ineffectual attempts upon Fort William Henry, 
made great efforts to besiege it in form, and in August, 1757, having landed ten thousand 



WARREN COUNTY'. 565 

men near the fort, summoned it to surrender. The place of his landing was shown me, a 
little north of the public house ; the remains of his batteries and other works are still visi- 
ble ; and the graves and bones of the slain are occasionally discovered. 

He had a powerful train of artillery, and although the fort and works were garrisoned 
by three thousand men, and were most gallantly defended by the commander. Colonel 
Monroe, it was obliged to capitulate ; but the most honorable terms were granted to Colo- 
nel Monroe, in consideration of his great gallantry. The bursting of the great guns, the 
want of ammunition, and above all, the failure of General Webb to succor the fort, although 
he lay idle at Fort Edward with four thousand men, were the causes of this catastrophe. 

The capitulation was, however, most shamefully broken ; the Indians attached to Mon- 
calm's army, while the troops were marching out of the gate of the fort, dragged the men 
from the ranks, particularly the Indians in the English service, and butchered them in cold 
blood — they plundered all without distinction, and murdered women and little children, 
with circumstances of the most aggravated barbarity.* The massacre continued all along 
the road, through the defile of the mountains, and for many miles, the miserable prisoners, 
especially those in the rear, were tomahawked and hewn down in cold blood ; it might 
well be called the bloody defile, for it was the same ground that was the scene of the bat. 
ties, only two years before, in 1755. It is said that efforts were made by the French to 
restrain the barbarians, but they were not restrained, and the miserable remnant of the gar- 
rison with difficulty reached Fort Edward pursued by the Indians, although escorted by a 
body of French troops. I passed over the whole of the ground, upon which this tragedy 
was acted, and the oldest men of the country still remember this deed of guilt and infamy. 

Fort William Henry was levelled by Montcalm, and has never been rebuilt. Fort 
George was built as a substitute for it, on a more commanding site, and although often 
mentioned in the history of subsequent wars, was not I believe the scene of any very me- 
morable event. 

Chester, taken from Thurman ; from Albany 80, and from Cald- 
well N. 18 miles. Chester is a village having about 40 dwellings, 6 
mercantile stores, 3 churches — 1 Presbyterian, 1 Baptist, and 1 Meth- 
odist. It is situated on the Canada road, near the outlet of Friends 
and Loon lakes. The land in the vicinity is fertile. Pottersville is 
a post-office in the N. part. Pop. 1,623. 

Hague, originally named Rochester, and taken from Bolton in 
1807 ; from Caldwell NE. 30 miles. Pop. 610. 

"Rogers Rock is on the west side of Lake George, in the northeastern border of the town, 
2 miles from the outlet. It rises out of the water at an angle of more than forty-five degrees 
to the height of 3 or 400 feet. The face of the rock for more than 100 feet is a perfectly smooth 
shde, reaching from top to bottom. This rock derives its name from the following incident. 
During the wmter of 17.58, Major Rogers was one of a party which was surprised and put to 
flight by the Indians at the outlet of the lake. Rogers came alone to the summit of this rock, 
whither he knew the Indians would follow him by liis tracks in the snow, and where he could 
prevent pursuit by a singular stratagem. Throwmg his pack down the precipice, he slipped 
off his snow shoes, and without changing their position, turned himself about and again put 
them on his feet. Thus equipped, he retreated several rods along the southern brow of the 
rock. The Indians coming to the spot went no further, as they saw the two tracks both lead- 
ing the same way and apparently made by two persons who had come to the precipice, and 
chosen to throw themselves oft' rather than to fall into the hands of their pursuers. Meanwhile 
Rogers made good his descent to the foot of the rock, where he resumed his pack, and es- 
caped on the ice to the head of the lake. 

" Sabbath-day Point is a low neck of land stretching into Lake George from the western 
shore, 3 miles from the little village of Hague. On Sabbath-day Point, Lord Amherst with 
his army stopped for refreshment upon the morning of the Sabbath, and gave this beautiful 
spot the name by which it is known. It is a charmmg place, and susceptible of great embel- 
lishment. In the summer of 1756, a small body of provincials who had retreated to this point 
defeated a superior force of French and Indians, who had attacked them in gun-boats." 

HoRicoN, recently formed from Hague and Bolton ; centrally dis- 

* Men and women had their throats cut, their bodies ripped open, and their bowels, with 
insult, thrown in their faces. Infants and children were barbarously taken by the heels, 
and their brains dashed out against stones and trees. The Indians pursued the English 
nearly half the way to Fort Edward, where the greatest number of them arrived in a most 
forlorn condition. 



566 



WARREN COUNTY. 



tant N. from Caldwell 24 miles. Pop. 663. Horicon post-office is 
in the SW. part, on the Schroon branch of the Hudson. 

JoHNSBURG, the NW. corner town, taken from Thurman in 1805 ; 
from Albany 85, from Caldwell NW. 21 miles. Johnsburg is a small 
settlement, and lies about 3 miles west of the Hudson. Pop. 1,156. 

Luzerne, first settled about 1770. taken from Queensbury in 1808 ; 
from Albany 55, centrally distant SW. from Caldwell 8 miles. Lu- 
zerne is a small village on the Hudson. Hadley's and Jessup's falls 
are in this town. Pop. 3,664. 

Queensbury was organized in 1788. The soil in the E. part of 
the town is a strong and productive loam, in the W. it is sandy. 
Pop. 3,664. The village of Glenn's Falls, in this town, lies on the 
N. bank of the Hudson, 53 miles from Albany, 3 W. from Sandy 
Hill, and 17 from Saratoga. It received its name from from a Mr. 
Glenn, the first settler, whose house is still standing about 20 rods 
from the falls. 




Distant view of the village of Glenn Falls. 

The above is a SE. view of the village as seen from the S. bank 
of the Hudson. There are here about 120 dwellings, 1 Pres- 
byterian, 1 Methodist, and 1 Baptist church, a female seminary, a 
printing office, and about a dozen mills on both sides of the river 
for sawing lumber and marble. The Presbyterian and Methodist 
churches and the academy are seen on the right, and part of the bridge 
over the Hudson at the falls, on the left. 

These falls have a total descent of about 70 feet. The water flows in one sheet over 
the brink of the precipice, 900 feet in length, and when in full flood, rushes in one mass down 
the cataract, filling the mind of a spectator on the bridge with awe and admiration. In 
ordinary seasons the river is divided at the falls by rocks into three channels, which have an 
angular descent of several hundred feet. These falls have evidently receded from a posi- 
tion lower down the stream. The banks below are in some places 70 feet in perpendieu- 
lar height, formed of rocks, in which the stratification is beautifully disposed, containing 
•many organic remains. The navigable feeder of the Champlain canal is taken from the 
river, two miles above, and passes along the elevated bank of the river seen in the engrav 



WASHINGTON COUNTY. 56"^ 

ing. It is believed that as many as eighteen or twenty persons have been drawn over the 
falls, within the memory of those now living, only two of whom escaped death. Animals 
are frequently drawn over, and almost invariably perish. 

Warrensburg, formed in 1813 ; N. from Albany 68 miles. It is a 
mountainous district, covered with wood and abounding in iron ore. 
The main branch of the Hudson flows on the west boundary, and 
the Schroon branch on the E. and S., uniting with the former in the 
SW. Warrensburg, on the Schroon branch, 6 miles N. of Caldwell, is 
a village containing two churches and about 60 dwellings. Pop. 1,469. 



WASHINGTON COUNTY. 

Washington county received its present name in 1784, having 
previously been called Charlotte county, when it claimed to include 
a part of the present state of Vermont. Its greatest length is 64 
miles ; average breadth to South Bay, of Lake Champlain, 17 miles; 
and thence on the N. 6 miles. Centrally distant from New York 
210, from Albany 60 miles. 

The face of the country is very much diversified. That around 
Lake George is generally rugged and mountainous, presenting sum- 
mits from 600 to 1200 feet in height. All the northern part is broken 
and hilly. The southern part, though considerably uneven, presents 
a very large proportion of arable land, well adapted for the various 
products of agriculture. In the northern part, which is comparatively 
new, the pine forests supply large quantities of lumber. The county 
is abundantly watered. As a whole, it holds a respectable rank in 
agriculture, producing much wheat, but is better adapted to grass. A 
large proportion of the population is from New England, and large 
emigrations are yearly making from Vermont. The county is divi- 
ded into 17 towns. Pop. 41,095. 

Argyle, organized in 1788 ; N. from Albany 44 miles. The tract 
comprised in the original town of Argyle, was granted by George 
II., in 1742, to 141 Scotch emigrants, who severally drew a farm 
lot of from 150 to 600 acres, with a town lot of from 15 to 16 acres. 
Argyle, 8 miles SE. from Sandy Hill, has about 50 dwellings. North 
Argyle 5, and South Argyle 1 1 miles from Sandy Hill, are small set- 
tlements. Pop. 3,113. 

Cambridge, organized in 1788; N. from Albany 35 miles. Cam- 
bridge, a large but scattered village, has an academy for qualifying 
young men as teachers, and about 120 dwellings. Buskirk's Bridge, 
upon Hoosick river, partly in Pittstown, Rensselaer county, has from 
30 to 40 dwellings. Centre Cambridge is a small village centrally 
situated. Pop. 2,004. 

Dresden, taken from Putnam in 1822, by the name of South Bay, 
from Albany 72, and from Sandy Hill N. 20 miles. It is situated in 



^ 



568 WASHINGTON COUNTY. 



a mountainous and wild country, between lakes Champlain and 
George. In the forests deer and wolves are said to be common. 
Pop. 697. 

Easton, taken from Stillwater and Saratoga ; from Albany N. 27, 
from Salem SW. 16 miles. Union village is partly in this town and 
partly in Greenwich. Easton is a post village, containing about 50 
dwellings. North Easton and South Easton are small settlements 
with post-offices. Pop. 3,002. 

Fort Ann was originally organized by the name of Westfield ; it 
received its present name in 1808. The face of the township is di- 
versified with mountains and valleys. On Wood creek there are fer- 
tile alluvial flats and plains, but a great part of this extensive town- 
ship is sterile and barren. Pop. 3,559. The village of Fort Ann, 
which gives its name to the township, on Wood creek and the canal, 
58 miles from Albany and 10 S. from Whitehall, contains about 
50 dwellings and 3 churches. It is situated on the site of old 
Fort Ann erected in 1757, and was a place of some importance 
during the colonial wars. About two miles south of the village, ves- 
tiges of Burgoyne's road, constructed of logs, &c., in 1777, are still to 
be seen. 

Professor Silliman in his tour gives the following account of a se- 
vere battle fought near this place, between a detachment of the British 
and one of the American army, July 8th, 1777 : — 

At a narrow pass between some high rocks and the river, we were shown the place 
where, on the 8th of July, 1777, the 9th British regiment, belonging to General Burgoyne's 
army, sustained a heavy loss, by a conflict with the Americans under Colonel Long. 

After the surrender of Ticonderoga, General Burgoyne endeavored to keep up the 
alarm, by spreading his parties over the country. With this view, Colonel Hill, at the head 
of the 9th regiment, was despatched after Colonel Long, who, with four or five hundred 
men, principally the invalids and convalescents of the army, had taken post at Fort Anne, 
and was directed by General Schuyler to defend it. Colonel Long, with his party, did not 
wait an attack from the enemy, but boldly advanced to meet them. " At half past ten in 
the morning, (says Major Forbes, of the British regiment,) they attacked us in front, with 
a heavy and well-directed fire; a large body of them passed the creek on the left, and fired 
from a thick wood across the creek on the left flank of the regiment : they then began to 
recross the creek and attack us in the rear; we then found it necessary to change our 
ground, to prevent the regiment's being surrounded ; we took post on the top of a hill to 
our right. As soon as we had taken post, the enemy made a very vigorous attack, which 
continued for upwards of two hours ; and they certainly would have forced us, had it not 
been for some Indians that arrived and gave the Indian whoop, which we answered with 
three cheers ; the rebels soon after that gave way." The giving way of the Americans was, 
however, caused, not by the terror of the war-whoop, but by the failure of their ammuni- 
tion. The fact was, the British regiment was worsted, and would probably have been 
taken or destroyed, had Colonel Long been well supplied with ammunition. It was said 
by Captain Money, another British officer, that the fire was even heavier than it was in the 
obstinate battle of September 19th, on Bemus' heights. The scene of this battle is very 
correctly described above, by Major Forbes. 

On leaving the street of Fort Anne village, we crossed a bridge over Wood creek, and 
were now on its left bank. Immediately after, we came to a narrow pass, only wide enough 
for the carriage, and cut, in a great measure, out of a rocky ledge, which terminates here, 
exactly at the creek. This ledge is the southern end of a high rocky hill, which converges 
towards Wood creek, and between the two is a narrow tract of level ground, which tenni- 
nates at the pass already mentioned. On this ground the battle took place, and the wood 
on the right bank of the creek, from which the Americans fired upon the left flank of the 
British, is still there, and it was up this rocky hill that they retreated and took their stand. 

General Burgoyne, as usual, claimed a victory in this afl'air, which is understood to have 



WASHINGTON COUNTY. 



569 



been a bloody contest, as indeed it obviously must have been, from the narrowness of the 
defile, and the consequent nearness of the contending parties. Captain Montgomery, of 
Colonel Hill's regiment, was left wounded on the field, and taken prisoner by the Ameri- 
cans, which could not have been the fact, had the royal party been victorious." 

Fort Edward was taken from Argyle in 1818. The surface of 
the town is level or gently undulating, and the soil mostly of a good 
quality. Pop. 1,728. Fort Edward is a small village, situated on the 
Hudson river and Champlain canal, 47 miles from Albany, and about 
3 from Sandy Hill. There is a dam above the village 900 feet long 
and 27 high, which supplies a feeder to the canal. Fort Miller and 
Fort Edward Centre, also on the Champlain canal and Hudson river, 
are small settlements. 

Fort Edward, from which this 
town derives its name, was built 
in 1755, of timber and earth, 16 
feet high, 22 feet thick, and had 
six cannon on its ramparts. It had 
a deep fosse in front ; it was situ- 
ated about half a mile south of the 
lock of the Champlain canal, in the 
village, and was at first called Fort 
Lyman, from General Lyman, a 
distinguished officer in the French 
war. This spot was also named 
the first carrying place, being the 
point where, in the expeditions 
against Canada, the troops, stores, 
&.C., were landed and carried to 
Wood creek, a distance of 12 
„ w , o . u T, u miles, where they were again em- 

■references : A. magazine, B. barracks. C. storehouse, D. Hos- i_ i j 
■, F. Colonel Bagly's bridge. barked. 

The village of Fort Edward is rendered memorable as being the spot where Miss M'Crea 
met with her tragical fate. This unfortunate young woman lived about four miles south 
from Fort Edward, on the west bank of the Hudson. Her lover, a Mr. Jones, lived about 
a mile south of the fort. When Burgoyne with his army from Canada had arrived in this 
vicinity, Mr. .Tones left the American arm.y, and with many of his neighbors joined the 
forces under Burgoyne. For his loyalty he was made a major. As the place where Miss 
M'Crea resided was exposed to the hostile incursions of both armies, Mr. Jones, being 
anxious for her safety, found means to convey intelligence to her that he would take meas. 
ures to have her brought into the British camp. For this purpose she was directed to 
come to Mrs. Campbell's, a relative of hers who lived in a house now standing in Fort Ed- 
ward village. Here she was to wait till he sent a convoy for her safety. Miss M'Crea left 
her home in the morning, <;rossed the river by Mr. Jones' house, took breakfast " at the old 
Baldwin house," near by Fort Edward, and from thence went to Mrs. Campbell's. 

It appears that Mr. Jones, by offering a quantity of rum as a reward, induced a party of 
Indians to go for Miss M'Crea, and bring her into the British camp. Some accounts state 
that when the Indians came near the house they held up a letter to allay her fears, which 
being from her lover, she did not hesitate to venture herself with them. The Indians also 
took Mrs. Campbell with them. When this party had proceeded but a short distance, about 
half way up the elevation north of the village, they were met by another party of Indians. 
It is stated that the latter, hearing of the offer of Mr. Jones, determined to share a portion of 
the reward. This brought on a contention between them, which rose to such a height, 
that an aged Indian chief, fearful of the consequences, determined to end the dispute. Ap- 
proaching Miss M'Crea, he shot her dead as she sat on her horse. He then sprang forward, 
sunk his tomahawk into her head, and then scalped her. "Tradition reports, that the In- 
dians divided the scalp, and that each party carried half of it to the agonized lover." 

She was now stripped of her clothing and dragged about thirty rods west of the 
place where she was killed, and laid under a log by the side of the ancient pine repre- 
sented in the engraving. It is stated by those who saw her remains, that they exhibited a 
niiKt shocking spectacle ; her limbs were much swollen, and covered with dust and blood. 

72 




Fort Edvtard- 
pital, £. a flanki 



570 



WASHINGTON COUNTY. 




The Jane M^Crea tree, Fort Edward. 

An American officer, Lieutenant Palmer, who had been slain that day by the Indians with 
18 of his men, about 80 rods northwest of the pine tree, was also thrown under the log 
near Miss M'Crea, and the remains of both partially covered wiih brushwood and bushes. 
The engraving shows the appearance of the spot where the body of Miss M'Crea was 
found. The pine tree which was then standing, still remains, having a venerable and 
ancient appearance. Her name is inscribed on the tree, with the date 1777, and 
" no traveller passes this spot without spending a plaintive moment in contemplating 
the untimely fate of youth and loveliness." At its root it is about 5 feet in diameter, 
standing about four rods west from the road to Sandy Hill, and about 80 rods north of the 
village, on the side of a sandy ridge. A fine spring issues a few feet below this tree. The 
bodies of Miss M'Crea and Lieutenant Palmer were taken and buried three miles below 
the fort, near what was called the " black house." About 18 years since, her remains were 
taken up and re-interred in a village burying ground at Fort Edward ; the Rev. Mr. Cum- 
mings, of Albany, preached a funeral sermon on the occasion. At the time of her death 
she was about twenty years of age, and is represented as having been of a middling stature, 
finely formed, dark hair, and uncommonly beautiful. Mr. Jones, who was about twenty- 
five, survived her death but a short period, and it is said his hair turned gray the first night 
after receiving the fatal news. 

Granville was organized in 1788. The township is handsomely 
diversified, and the soil is of a superior quality, well watered by 
springs, rivulets, &c. Pop. 3,846. The town was principally settled 
by emigrants from the New England states. There are 3 villages 
having post-offices. Granville village, or Granville Corners, 63 miles 
from Albany, 17 from Salem, and 21 from Sandy Hill, is the most 
compact settlement ; it consists of about 75 dwellings, having 1 
Methodist, 1 Episcopal, and 1 Friends church, an academy, a wool- 
len factory, &c. 

The following is a northwestern view of the central part of Middle 
Granville, about 2 miles north of Granville Corners village. The 
village consists of about 30 dwellings, 1 Congregational, and 1 Pres- 



WASHINGTON COUNTY. 



571 




Nortkioest view of the central part of Middle Granville. 

byterlan church, a number of mills, &c. The Congregational church 
and school-house are seen on the right of the engraving ; the moun- 
tainous elevations seen in the extreme distance are in the tow^n of 
Pawlet, in the state of Vermont, about six miles distant. North or 
West Granville, 18 miles from Sandy Hill, has a church, an acade- 
my, and is a substantial village scattered for a considerable distance 
along the road. South Granville is a small village. 







Southeastern view of Union Village. 

Greenwich was taken from Argyle in 1803. The surface of the 
township is moderately uneven ; the soil is principally a gravelly loam, 
and is under good cultivation. Pop. 3,379. 

The above engraving shows the appearance of Union village, 



672 WASHINGTON COUNTY. 

as seen from the elevated ground near the school-house, on the 
Easton side of the Batteukill. This flourishing village is 35 miles 
from Albany, 12 from Salem, and about 5 E. from Schuylerville. It 
contains 4 churches — 1 Baptist, 1 Dutch Reformed, 1 Congregational, 
and 1 Methodist — an academy, a bank, a newspaper printmg office, a 
number of mills and factories, and about 1,500 inhabitants. The 
Baptist church, the oldest in the village, is seen on the right of the en- 
graving ; a few rods westward is the Methodist church ; the Dutch 
Reformed church is in the central part ; and on the extreme left 
is seen part of the front of the Congregational church, which is with- 
out a spire. The village was founded in 1809. Batten ville and 
Franklinton are small manufacturing villages, on the Battenkill. North 
and East Greenwich and Lake, are post-otiices, with settlements. 

Hampton, from Albany NE. 70, from Salem N. 25, and from 
Sandy Hill NE. 25 miles. Hampton and Low Hampton are post- 
offices. Pop. 972. 

Hartford, taken from Westfield, originally the name of Fort Ann, 
in 1793; from Albany NE. 54 miles. Hartford, 13 miles NE. from 
Sandy Hill, and South Hartford, 2 miles south of the former, are 
small post villages. Pop. 2,158. 

Hebron is centrally distant north of Salem 7 miles. Pop. 2,498. 
Hebron, North Hebron, and South Hebron, are small post villages. 

Jackson, taken from Cambridge in 1815; from Albany NE. 40, 
from Salem S. 6 miles. Jackson and Anaquascook are post-offices. 
Pop. 1,730. 

Kingsbury was organized in 1788. It has a surface generally level 
and well cultivated, and in former times was mostly covered with fine 
groves of white pines. Pop. 2,773. This town has three villages — 
viz, Sandy Hill, Kingsbury, and Adamsville. Sandy Hill, on the north 
bank of the Hudson, is the half-shire village of the county, and was 
incorporated in 1810. It is situated upon a high sandy plain, about 
100 feet above the river, opposite Bakers Falls, where, in the course 
of 60 rods, the river descends 76 feet. The contemplated railroad 
from Saratoga to Whitehall is to cross the Hudson here by a viaduct 
1,100 feet in'length. 

The following is a south view of the central part of the village of 
Sandy Hill, 48 miles from Albany. In the central part of the en- 
graving is seen a triangular enclosure, set out with ornamental trees 
and shrubbery. The courthouse is on the right, and the church on 
the left. The village contains a Presbyterian and Episcopal church 
and upwards of 100 dwelling-houses. James Bradshaw was the first 
settler in the village, and the second was Albert Baker, who came 
here in 1768. His family was the 11th which settled in Kingsbury. 
Kingsbury village, 5 miles from Sandy Hill, is situated on the road 
to Fort Ann, and has 1 Baptist church and about 30 dwellings. 
Adamsville, 6 miles from Sandy Hill, is a village containing a Bap- 
tist church and 25 dwellings. 

The first minister settled in the town was Francis Baylor, a Moravian. He remained but a 
ehort time, and left in the year 1777. The first meeting-house was built soon after the revolu- 



WASHINGTON COUNTY. 



573 




Southern view of the central part of Sandy Hill. 

tion, and is still standing and occupied by the Baptists. During the war the town was burnt 
by Burgoyne's army, which lay encamped here about six weeks. The Hessians occupied the 
ground in the vicinity of the new burying-yard at Sandy Hill, while the Grenadiers lay at Moss 
Street, 2 miles north, and the light infantry under Frazer at Fort Edward Hill. 

The site on which stands the village of Sandy Hill, was formerly 
the scene of Indian barbarities. The following anecdote is related 
by Professor SiUiman, in his Tour from Hartford to Quebec in the 
autumn of 1819. 

From Mr. H., a very respectable inhabitant, I learned the following singular piece of his- 
tory Old Mr. Schoonhoven, recently living in this vicinity, and probably still surviving, al- 
though at the great age of more than fourscore, informed Mr. H. that during the last French 
war, he and six or seven other Americans coming through the wilderness, from Fort William 
Henry, at the head of Lake George, to Sandy Hill, had the misfortune to be taken prisoners 
by a party of the savages. Thej were conducted to the spot which is now the central green 
of Sandy Hill, and ordered to sit down in a row, upon a log. Mr. Schoonhoven pointed out 
to Mr. H. the exact place where the log lay ; it was nearly in front of the house where we 
dined. The Indians then began, very deliberately, to tomahawk their victims, commencing 
at one end of the log. and splitting the skulls of their prisoners, in regular succession; while 
the survivors, compelled to sit still, and to witness the awful fate of their companions, awaited 
their own, in unutterable horror. Mr. Schoonhoven was the last but one, upon the end of the 
log, opposite to where the massacre commenced ; the work of death had already proceeded 
to him, and the lifted tomahawk was ready to descend, when a chief gave a signal to stop the 
butchery. Then approaching Mr. Schoonhoven, he mildly said, " Do you not remember that 
(at such a lime) when your young men were dancing, poor Indians came, and wanted to 
dance too ; your young men said, ' No ! — Indians shall not dance with us ;' but you (for it 
seems this chief had recognised his features only in the critical moment) you said, Indians 
shall dance — now I will show you that Indians can remember kindness.'' This chance recol- 
lection {providential, we had better call it) saved the life of Mr. Schoonhoven, and of the 
other survivor. 

Strange mixture of generosity and cruelty ! For a trifling affront, they cherished and 
glutted vengeance, fell as that of internals, without measure of retribution, or discrimination 
of objects; for a favor equally trifling, they manifested magnanimity exceeding all corres- 
pondence to the benefit, and capable of arresting the stroke of death, even when falling with 
the rapidity of lightning. 

Two miles north of the village of Kingsbury is the spot where a 
bloody battle was fought in the French war, between a body of troops 
under Putnam and Rogers, and 500 French and Indians commanded 
by Molang. 

" In the month of August, 1758, five hundred men were employed, under the orders of Majors 
ilogers and Putnam, to watch the motions of the enemy near Ticonderoga. At South Bay 
they separated the party into two equal divisions, and Rogers took a position on Wood Creek, 
twelve miles distant from Futaam. 



574 WASHINGTON COUNTY. 

" Upon being, some time afterward, discovered, they formed a reunion, and concerted 
measures for returning to Fort Edward. Their march through the woods was in three divinwns, 
by FILES : the right commanded by Rogers, the left by Putnam, and the centre by Captain 
D'EU. The iirst night they encamped on the banks of Clear River, about a mile from old Fort 
Ann, which had been formerly built by General Nicholson. Next morning Major Rogers, 
and a British officer named Irwin, incautiously suftl'red themselves, from a spirit of false emu- 
lation, to be engaged in firing at a mark. Nothing could have been more repugnant to the 
military principles of Putnam than such conduct, or reprobated by him in more pointed terms. 
As soon as the heavy dew which had fallen the preceding night would permit, the detachment 
moved in one body, Putnam being in front, ]T!']11 in centre, and Rogers in the rear. The imper- 
vious growth of shrubs and under-brush that had sprung up, where the land had been partially 
cleared some years before, occasioned this chance in the order of march. At the moment of 
moving, the famous French partisan Molang, who had been sent with live hundred men to 
intercept our party, was not more than one mile and a half distant from them. Having 
heard the tiring, he hastened to lay an ambuscade precisely in that part of the wood most fa- 
vorable to his project. Major Putnam was just emerging from the thicket, into the common 
forest, when the enemy rose, and with discordant yells and whoops commenced an attack 
upon the right of his division. Surprised^ but undismayed, Putnam halted, returned the fire, 
and passed the word for the other divisions to advance for his support. D'EU came. The 
action, though widely scattered, and principally fought between man and man, soon grew 
general and mtensely warm. It would be as difficult as useless to describe this irregular and 
ferocious mode of fighting. Rogers came not up ; but, as he declared afterward, formed a 
circular file between our party and Wood creek, to prevent their being taken in rear or enfi- 
laded. Successful as he commonly was, his conduct did not always pass without unfavorable 
imputation. Notwithstanding, it was a current saying in the camp, ' that Rogers always sent, 
but Putnam led his men to action,' yet, in justice, it ought to be remarked here, that the latter 
has never been known, in relating the story of this day's disaster, to affix any stigma upon the 
conduct of the former. 

" Major Putnam, perceiving it would be impracticable to cross the creek, determined to 
maintain his ground. Inspired by his example, the othcers and men behared with great bra- 
very : sometimes they fought aggregately in open view, and sometimes individually under 
cover ; takin" aim from behind the bodies of trees, and acting in a manner independent of 
each other. Tor himself, having discharged his fuzee several times, at length it missed fire, 
while the muzzle was pressed against the breast of a large and well proportioned savage. 
This warrior, avaiUng himself of the indefensible attitude of his adversary, with a tremendous 
war-whoop, sprang forward, with his lilted hatchet, and compelled him to surrender ; and 
having disarmed and bound him fast to a tree, returned to the battle. 

" The intrepid Captains D'EU and Harman, who now commanded, were forced to give 
ground for a httle distance : the savages conceiving this to be the certain harbinger of victory, 
rushed impetuously on, with dreadful and redoubled cries. But our two partisans, collecting 
a handful of brave men, gave the pursuers so warm a reception as to oblige them, in turn, to 
retreat a Uttle beyond the spot at which the action had commenced. Here they made a stand. 
This change of ground occasioned the tree to which Putnam was tied to be directly between 
the fire of the two parties. Human imagination can hardly figure to itself a more deplorable 
situation. The balls flew incessantly from either side, many struck the tree, while some passed 
through the sleeves and skirts of his coat. In this state of jeopardy, unable to move his body, 
to stir his hmbs, or even to inchne his head, he remained more than an hour So equally 
balanced, and so obstinate was the fight ! At one moment, while the battle swerved in favor 
of the enemy, a young savage chose an odd way of discovering his humor. He found Putnam 
bound. He might have despatched him at a blow. But he loved better to excite the terrors 
of the prisoner, by hurling a tomahawk at his head, or rather it should seem his object was to 
see how near he could throw it without touching him— the weapon struck in the tree a num- 
ber of times at a hair's breadth distance from the mark. When the Indian had finished his 
amusement, a French bas-officer (a much more inveterate savage by nature, though descended 
from so humane and polished a nation) perceiving Putnam, came up to him, and, levelling a 
fuzee within a foot of his breast, attempted to discharge it — it missed fire. Inefl'ectually did 
the intended victim solicit the treatment due to his situation, by repeating that he was a pri- 
soner of war. The degenerate Frenchman did not understand the language of honor or of 
nature: deaf to their voice, and dead to sensibility, he violently, and repeatedly, pushed the 
muzzle of his gun against Putnam's ribs, and finally gave him a cruel blow on the jaw with 
the butt-end of his piece. After this dastardly deed he left him. 

" At length the activf, intrepidity of D'EU and Harman, seconded by the persevering valor 
of their (bllowers, prevailed. They drove from the field the enemy, whp left about ninety 
dead behind them. As they were retiring, Putnam was untied by the Indian who had made 
him prisoner, and whom he afterward called master. Having been conducted for some dis- 
tance from the place of action, he was stripped of his coat, vest, stockings, and shoes ; loaded 
with as many of the packs of the woundecl as could be piled upon him ; strongly pinioned, 
and his wrists tied as closely together as they could be pulled with a cord. After he had 
marched, through no pleasant paths, in this painful manner, for many a tedious mile, the party 
(who were excessively fatigued) halted to breathe. His hands were now immoderately 
swelled from the tightness of the ligature ; and the pain had become intolerable. His feet 
were so much scratched, that the blood dropped fast from them. Exhausted with bearing a 
burden above his strength, and frantic with torments exquisite beyond endurance, he entreated 
the Irish interpreter to implore, as the last and only grace he desired of the savages, that tliey 



WASHINGTON COUNTY. 575 

would knock him on the head and take his scalp at once, or loose his hands. A French 
officer, instantly interposing, ordered his hands to be unbound, and some of tlie packs to be 
taken off. By this time the Indian who captured him, and had been absent with the wounded, 
coming up gave him a pair of moccasins, and expressed great indignation at the unworthy 
treatment his prisoner had suffered. 

" That savage chief again returned to the care of the wounded, and the Indians, about two 
hundred in number, went before the rest of the party to the place where the whole were that 
night to encamp. They took with them Major Putnam, on whom, besides innumerable other 
outrages, they had the barbarity to inflict a deep wound with the tomahawk in the left cheek. 
His sufferings were in this place to be consummated. A .scene of horror, infinitely greater 
than had ever met his eyes before, was now preparing. It was determined to roast hmi alive. 
For this purpose they led him into a dark forest, stripped him naked, bound him to a tree, and 
piled dry brush, with other fuel, at a small distance, in a circle round him. They accompa- 
nied their labors, as if for his funeral dirge, with screams and sounds inimitable but by savage 
voices. Then they set the piles on fire. A sudden shower damped the rising flame. Still 
they strove to kindle it, until, at last, the blaze ran fiercely round the circle. Major Putnam 
soon began to feel the scorching heat. His hands were so tied that he could move his body. 
He often shifted sides as the fire approached. This sight, at the very idea of which all but 
savages must shudder, afforded the highest diversion to his inhuman tormentors, who demon- 
strated the delirium of their joy by correspondent yells, dances, and gesticulations. He saw 
clearly that his final hour was inevitably come. He summoned all his resolution, and com- 
po.sed his mind, as far as the circumstances could admit, to bid an eternal farewell to all he 
held most dear. To quit the world would scarcely have cost a single pang ; but for the idea 
of home, but for the remembrance of domestic endearments, of the aflectionate partner of his 
soul, and of their beloved offspring. His thought was ultimately fixed on a happier state of 
existence, beyond the tortures he was beginning to endure. The bitterness of death, even 
of that death which is accompanied with the keenest agonies, was^ in a manner, past — nature, 
with a feeble struggle, was quitting its last hold on sublunary things — when a French officer 
rushed through the crowd, opened a way by scattering the burning brands, and unbound the 
victim. It was Molang himself— to whom a savage, unwilling to see another human sacrifice 
immolated, had run and communicated the tidings. That commandant spurned and severely 
reprimanded the barbarians, whose nocturnal powwos and hellish orgies he suddenly ended. 
Putnam did not want for feeling or gratitude. The French commander, fearing to trust him 
alone with them, remained until he could deUver him in safety into the nands of his 
master. 

" The savage approached his prisoner kindly, and seemed to treat him with particular affec- 
tion. He offered him some hard biscuit ; but finding that he could not chew them, on ac- 
count of the blow he had received from the Frenchman, this more humane savage soaked 
some of the biscuit in water, and made him suck the pulp-like part. Determined, however, 
not to lose his captive (the refreshment being finished) he took the moccasins from his feet, 
and tied them to one of his Wj-ists : then directing him to lie down on his back upon the bare 
ground, he stretched one arm to its full length, and bound it fast" to a young tree ; the other 
arm was extended and bound in the same manner — his legs were stretched apart and fastened 
to two saplings. Then a number of tall, but slender poles were cut down, which, with some 
long bushes, were laid across his body from head to foot : on each side lay as many Indians 
as could conveniently find lodging, in order to prevent the possibihty of his escape. In this 
disagreeable and painful posture he remained until morning. During this night, the longest 
and most dreary conceivable, our hero used to relate that ne felt a ray of cheerfialness come 
casually across his mind, and could not even refrain from smiling when he reflected on this 
ludicrous group for a painter, of which he himseU'was the principal figure. 

" The next day he was allowed his blanket and moccasins, and permitted to march without 
carrying any pack, or receiving any insult. To allay his extreme nunger, a little bear's meat 
was given, which he sucked through his teeth. At night the party arrived at Ticonderoga, 
and tlie prisoner was placed under the care of a French guard. The savages, who had been 
prevented from glutting their diabolical thirst for blood, took other opportunity of manifesting 
their malevolence for the disappointment, by horrid grimaces and angry gestures ; but they 
were suffered no more to offer violence or personal indignity to him 

" After having been examined by the Marauis de Montcalm, Major Putnam was conducted 
to Montreal by a French officer, who treated him with the greatest indulgence and humanity." 
— Humphrey's Life of Putnam. 

Putnam, the extreme northern town of the county, was taken from 
Westfield in 1806 ; from Albany 90, and from Sandy Hill N. 30 miles. 
Pop. 785. Palmerston mountain, in this town, rises to the height of 
1,500 feet. 

Salem was organized in 1788 ; has a hilly surface with narrow 
valleys and plains, and generally a fertile soil. Pop. 2,855. 

The following is a view of Salem, the half-shire village of Washing- 
ton county, as seen from an elevation on the main road at the northern 
extremity of the village, showing the principal street and the public 



576 



WASHINGTON COUNTY. 




North view of ISalem village. 

buildings. The village is 4G miles from Albany and 21 from Sandy 
Hill, and consists of upwards of 100 dwellings, 1 Presbyterian, 1 Asso- 
ciate Reformed Congregational church, an academy, the county build- 
ings, offices, stores, printing office, &c. The Presbyterian church and 
courthouse are seen on the left of the engraving, the Congregational 
near the centre, and the academy on the extreme right. The village 
was incorporated in 1803 ; the academy in this place has been incor- 
porated for about half a century, and is a very respectable institution, 
where quite a number of eminent men have been educated. 

Salem was first setttled about the year 1756, by two companies of emigrants, one from 
Scotland and Ireland, the other from New England. They worshipped together under the 
ministry of the Rev. Thomas Clark, an Irish preacher, till differences arose about " occa. 
sional communion," and about " receiving the covenant of the three kingdoms." This 
controversy occasioned a separation in 1769. A Presbyterian church was formed, and the 
Rev. John Warford, the first minister, was installed in 1789. He labored about 14 years, 
and was succeeded by Rev. Samuel Tomb, who continued in the ministry till his death in 
1832. His successors have been Rev. John Whiton and Rev. A. B. Lambert. The first 
Presbyterian church was built in 1774, and for three years it was used for barracks and a 
storehouse. It was burnt by the royalists in 1778. The next house was built immediately 
after the war, and was burnt by accident in 1836. The third, erected at a cost of $10,000, 
was burnt in April, 1840 ; another is now erecting. 

The following inscription is copied from a monument in the village 

graveyard. 

" Here lie the earthly remains of the Rev. James Proudfit, pastor of the Ass. Ref. Con- 
gregation, Salem, who, after manifesting^ the most ardent zeal and disinterested faithfulness 
in the gospel of his Master during the period of fifty years, fell asleep in Jesus Oct. 22d, 
1802. — ' Well done ! good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.' ' They 
that turn many to righteousness shall shine as the stars forever.' ' To him that overcometh 
will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with 
my Father in his throne.' " 

White Creek, the SE. town of the county, was taken from Cam- 
bridge in 1815; centrally distant S. from Salem 12 miles. Pop. 
2,204. North White Creek and Little White Creek are small post 
villages. White Creek Centre and Wait's Corners are small settle- 
ments. 



WASHINGTON COUNTY. 577 

Whitehall, organized in 1788, has a great diversity of surface. 
The soil is principally a stiff clay, well adapted to grass. Pop. 3,810. 



Northern view of Whitehall. 

The above engraving shovi^s the appearance of the village of White- 
hall as seen from the rocky eminence which rises perpendicularly 
from the waters of Lake Champlain, a short distance to the north, 
overlooking the harbor. The village is compactly built, and lies in a 
rocky ravine, at the junction of Wood creek and the Champlain canal 
with the waters of Lake Champlain, 73 miles from Albany and 21 
from Sandy Hill. The mouth of the creek and canal are seen in the 
central part of the engraving. The waters of the canal descend a 
distance of 26 feet by three locks. There is a steamboat communi- 
cation with this place and St. Johns in Canada, 150 miles distant. 
The steamboat landing is seen on the left at the foot of a rocky emi- 
nence about 200 feet high ; the Presbyterian and Episcopal churches 
are on the right. The village, which is a place of extensive business, 
consists of about 150 dwellings, a number of mills, many warehouses 
for the commission and forwarding business, a number of churches, 
and a bank. In the vicinity are the decaying hulks of the British ves- 
sels captured by Com. McDonough during the last war off Plattsburg. 

The Indian name of this place was Kah-cho-quah-na, " the place where dip-fish." It 
was formerly called Skenesborough, so named from Maj. Skene, a royalist, who resided 
here previous to the revolution. The pass at this place was seized by a detachment of vol- 
unteers from Connecticut in May, 1775. Maj. Skene and his family, with a number of 
soldiers and several small pieces of cannon, were taken. When Ticonderoga was aban. 
doned on the approach of Burgoyne, the public stores were embarked on board of 200 
batteaux and sent up the lake to Skenesborough under a convoy of 5 galleys. They were 
pursued by a British brigade of gun-boals and overtaken at Skenesborough. Two of the 
galleys were taken, and the other three blown up, and the Americans being unable to make 
an effectual stand, set fire to the works, fort, mills, batteaux, and escaped as they could to 
Fort Ann. This place was occupied by Burgoyne as his head-quarters for a considerable 
time while his troops were clearing a road to Ford Edward. On the heights overlooking 
the harbor are the remains of a battery and blockhouse. 

73 



578 



WAYNE COUNTY. 



WAYNE COUNTY. 



Wayne county was taken from the NW. corner of Ontario, and 
the N. of Seneca counties in 1823. Greatest length from E. to W. 
35 miles ; greatest breadth N. and S. 30. 

The surface is much diversified ; on the N. the ancient beach of 
Lake Ontario extends with the lake E. and W. from it 4 to 8 miles ; 
forming in its whole course a road through the county, known as the 
" ridge roadP The Erie canal, for nearly the whole of its devious 
course of forty-three miles through the county, keeps the valley 
of Mud creek and the Clyde. The soil is generally highly fer- 
tile. The greater portion of the county on the west, including one 
fourth of the towns of Galen, Rose, and Huron, was in the grant to 
Massachusetts and in Phelps and Gorham's purchase, passing from 
those gentlemen to Robert Morris, and from him to Sir William 
Pulteney, from whom the present possessors derive title. The rem- 
nant in the east pertained to the military tract. The county is divided 
into 15 towns. Pop. 42,068. 

Arcadia, taken from Lyons in 1825 ; from Albany 186 miles. 
Newark, 6 miles W., and Lockville 5 miles W. of Lyons, each on 
the canal, are villages. Fairville is a post-office. Pop. 4,982. 

Butler, taken from Wolcott in 1826; from Lyons NE, centrally 
situated 14 miles. Butler and South Butler are post-offices. Pop. 
2,287. 

Galen, organized as part of Seneca county, and taken from Junius 
in 1812; NW. from Albany 172 miles. Pop. 4,245. Clyde, incor- 
porated in 1835, is situated upon the Erie canal, 8 miles E. from 




Southern view of Clyde. 

Lyons. The above view was taken on the S. side of the Clyde 
river, and shows the principal portion of the village. The steeple in 
the centre of the view is that of the Methodist church, the one to the 
left the Presbyterian, and that to the right the Baptist. The village 
is a place of much business, and contains about 130 dwellings. 



WAYNE COUNTY. 



579 



Huron, taken from Wolcott in 1826, by the name of Port Bay; 
from Albany 193, from Lyons NE. 15 miles. Pop, 2,020. 

Lyons was taken from the S. end of Sodus in 1811 ; area since 
diminished. The surface of the township is hilly, and the soil of an 
excellent quality. Pop. 4,300. 




Eastern entrance into Lyons. 

Lyons, the shire village, was incorporated in 1831. It is situated 
at the junction of Mud ci'eck with the Canandaigua outlet, (below 
which the stream takes the name of Clyde river,) and on the Erie 
canal, 181 miles from Albany, 34 from Rochester, 15 N. of Geneva, 
and 16 S. of Sodus Point. The village contains about 250 dwellings, 
1 Presbyterian, 1 Lutlieran, 1 Methodist, 1 Baptist, and 1 Episcopal 
church, the county buildings, a bank, 2 newspaper printing offices, 
a number of mills, &c. The accompanying view was taken at the 
bridge over the Erie canal, at the eastern entrance into the village, 
and shows in the distance a number of public buildings. The village 
was originally laid out by C. Williamson, agent tor the Pulteney 
estate, and is said to have derived its name from the similarity of its 
situation to the city of that name in France. The first settlement 
was commenced in June, 1798, by emigrants from New Jersey and 
Maryland. Mr. Van Wickle, from New Jersey, " moved in, along 
with 40 persons." Alloway is a small manufacturing village. 

"In 1834, a white oak tree was cut in this town, two miles west of Lyons, measuring 
4J feet in diameter. In the body of the tree, about 3^ feet from the ground, was found a 
large and deep cutting by an axe, severing the heart of the tree, and exhibiting with per- 
feet distinctness the marks of the axe at the present time. The whole cavity thus created 
by the original cutting was found to be encased by 460 years' growth of the wood, i. e., it 
was concealed beneath 460 layers of the timber, which had grown over it subsequently to 
the cutting. Consequently the original cutting must have been in the year 1372, or 118 
years before the discovery of America by Columbus. The tree was cut by James P. Bartle 
of Newark, a forwarding merchant, and the timber used by him in building the boat 
Newark, now belonging to the Detroit line. The cutting was at least six inches deep." 

Macedon, taken from Palmyra in 1823. Macedon Centre, 22 miles 
NW., and Macedon on the canal, 20 miles W. of Lyons, are small 
settlements. Pop. 2,397. 



580 



WAYNE COUNTY. 



Marion, originally named Winchester, and taken from Williamson 
in 1825; from Lyons centrally distant NW. 13 miles. Marion Cor- 
ners is a small settlement. Pop. 2,158. 

Ontario, originally named Freetown, and taken from Williamson, 
was organized as part of Ontario county ; centrally distant Irom 
Lyons NW. 24 miles. Ontario and West Ontario are the post- 
offices. Pop. 1,903. 

Palmyra was organized by the general sessions of Ontario county, 
purswmt to the act of 27th of .Tan. 1789; since modilied. It com- 
prised two townsiiips of Phelps and Gorham's purchase, being No. 
12, in the 2d and 3d ranges. The surface of the town is gently un- 
dulating, and the soil of a superior quality. Pop. 3,550. 




Eastern view in Main-street, Palmyra. 

The village of Palmyra is situated on Mud creek and the Erie 
canal, 190 miles distant from Albany by the post route, 1 1 from Lyons, 
13 from Canandaigua, and 22 from Rochester. It is a place of con- 
siderable business, containing about 250 dwellings, 1 Presbyterian, 
1 Episcopal, 1 Methodist, and 1 Baptist church, a bank, 2 newspaper 
printing offices, a number of mills, &c. The accompanying engrav- 
ing shows part of Main-street, looking westward. 

Joseph Smith, the founder of the Mormon sect, began his public 
career in and near this village. The following account of Smith, 
and his operations, is derived from authentic sources of information. 

Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism, was born in Royaiton, Vt., and removed to 
Manchester, Ontario county, N. Y., about the year 1820, at an early age, with his parents, 
who were in quite humble circumstances. He was occasionally employed in Palmyra as 
a laborer, and bore the reputation of a lazy and ignorant young man. According to the 
testimony of respectable individuals in that place. Smith and his father were persons of 
doubtful moral character, addicted to disreputable habits, and moreover extremely supersti- 
tious, believing in the existence of witchcraft. They at one time procured a mineral rod, 
and dug in various places fur money. Smith testified that when digging he had seen the 
pot or chest containing the treasure, but never was fortunate enough to get it into his hands. 
He placed a singular looking stone in his hat, and pretended by the light of it to make 



WAYNE COUNTY. 581 

many wonderful discoveries of gold, silver, and other treasures, deposited in the earth. He 
commenced his career as the founder of the new sect when about the age of 18 or 19, and 
appointed a number of meetings in Palmyra, for the purpose of declaring the divine revela- 
tions which he said were made to him. He was, however, unable to produce any excite, 
ment in the village ; but very few had curiosity sufficient to listen to him. Not having 
the means to print his revelations, he applied to Mr. Crane, of the society of Friends, de- 
claring that he was moved by the spirit to call upon him for assistance. This gentleman 
bid him to go to work, or the state prison would end his career. Smith had better success 
with Martin Harris, an industrious and thrifty farmer of Palmyra, who was worth about 
$10,000, and who became one of his leading disciples. By his assistance, 5,000 copies of 
the Mormon Bible, (so called,) were published at an expense of about $3,U0U. It is possi- 
ble that Harris might have made the advances with the expectation of a profitable specula- 
tion, as a great sale was anticipated. This work is a duodecimo volume, containing 590 
pages, and is perhaps one of the weakest productions ever attempted to be palmed off as a 
divine revelation. It is mostly a blind mass of words, interwoven with scripiural language 
and quotations, without much of a leading plan or design. It is in fact such a production 
as might be expected from a person of Smith's abilities and turn of mind. The following 
is a copy of the title page : 

"The Book ok Mormon: an account written by the hand of Mormon, rroN plates taken from 

THE plates of NePHI. 

" Wherefore it is an abridgment of the record of tlie people of Neplii, and aho of the [jainanites ; written 
to the Laniaiiites, which are a reaiiiaiit of the iiouse of Israel, and also to die Jew and Gentile, written by 
way of coniniandinent, and also by the spirit of Proi)hecy and Revelation. Writ, en and sealed up and hid 
up to the Lord that they may not be destroyed, to coine forth by the gift and power of God unto the inter 
pretalion thereof, sealed by the hand of Mijroni and hid up unto the Lord to come forth in due time by the 
way of the Gentile: the interpretation thereof by the ^il't of God, an abridgement taken from the book of 
Etlier. Also, which is a Record of the People of .lared, which were scattered at the time the Lord con- 
founded the language of the people when they were building a tower to get to Heaven, which is to shew 
unto the remnant of the honse of Israel how great things the Lord halli done ujito their fathers, and that 
till y may know the covenants of the Lord, and that they are not cast off forever ; and also to the convincing 
of the .lew and Gentile, that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal Gon, matiifesiing Himself unto all nations. 
And now if there are faults it betliJ mistake of men, wherefore condemn not the things of God that ye may 
be found spotless at th(^ judgment seat of Christ. 

" By Joseph Smith, Junior. Author and Proprietor, Palmyra. Printed by E. B. Grandin, for the Author, 
1830." 

At the close of the book is " the testimony of three witnesses," viz : Oliver Cowdery, 
David Whitmer, and Martin Harri.^, in which they state unto all nations, kitidreds, tongues 
and people, that they have seen the plates containing the record, and the engravings upoir 
them, &c. On the last page is contained the testimony of eight witnesses, of which the 
following is a copy : 

" Be it known unto all nations, khidred, tongues, and people, unto whom this book shall come, that .loscph 
Smith, Jr., the Author and Proprietor of this work, hath shewed luito us the plates of vi'hich hath been 
spoken, which have the appearance of gold ; and as many of the leaves as the said Smith has transl;ited we 
did handle with our hands, and we also saw the engravings thereof, all of which had the appearance of 
ancient work and of curious workmanship. And this we bear record, with words of soberness, that the said 
Smith has shown unto us. for we have seen and hefted, and know of a surety that the said Smith has got 
the plates of which we have spoken. And we give our names unto the world that which we have seen and 
we lie not, God bearing witness of it. Christian Whitmer, Jacob Whitmer, Peter Whitmer, Jr., John 
Whitmer, Hiram Page, Joseph Smith, Senior, Hyrum Smith, Samuel H. Smith." 

In the preface, Smith states " that the plates of which htive been spoken, were found in 
the township of Manchester, Ontario county. New York." 

It is stated by persons in Palmyra, that when he exhibited these plates to his followers, 
they were done up in a canvas bag, and Smith made the declaration, that if they uncovered 
them, the Almighty would strike them dead. It is said that no one but Smith could read 
what was engraved upon them ; which he was enabled to do by looking through a peculiar 
kind of spectacles found buried with the plates. 

Soon after the publication of the Mormon Bible, one Parley B. Pratt, a resident of Lor. 
rain county, Ohio, happening to pass through Palmyra, on the canal, hearing of the new 
religion, called on the prophet and was soon converted. Pratt was intimate with Sidney 
Rigdon, a very popular preacher of the denomination called " Reformers" or "Disciples." 
About the time of the arrival of Pratt at Manchester, the Smiths were fitting out an expe- 
dition for the western country, under the command of Cowdery, in order to convert the 
Indians or Lamanites, as they termed them. In October, 1830, this mission, consisting of 
Cowdery, Pratt, Peterson, and Whitmer, arrived at Mentor, Ohio, the residence of Rigdon, 
well supplied with the new Bibles. Near this place, in Kirtland, there were a few famihes 
belonging to Rigdon's congregation, who havmg become extremely fanatical, were daily 
looking for some wonderful event to take place in the world. Seventeen of these persons 
readily believed in Mormonism, and were all re-immersed, in one night, by Cowdery. By 



582 



WAYNE COUNTY. 




The Morvion Hill. 

[The abovi' is a iiortlicrn vii!vv of the Mdrniori Hill In the town of Manchester, about 3 miles in a southern 
direction from Palmyra. It is aliout 140 feet in litif;lit, and is a specimen of the form of numerous elevations 
in this section of the slate. It derives its name from being the spot, (if we are to credit the testimony of Jo- 
seph Smitii,) where llie plates containing the Book of Mormon were (bund.] 

the conversion of Rigdon, soon after, Mormonism received a powerful impetus, and more 
than one hundred converts were speedily added. Rigdon visited Sniiih at Palmyra, where 
he tarried about two months, receiving revelations, preaching, &.c. He then returned to 
Kirtland, Ohio, and was followed a few days after by the prophet Smith and his connec- 
tions. Thus from a state of almost beggary, the family of Smith were furnished with the 
" fat of the land" by their disciples, many of whom were wealthy. 

A Mormon temple was erected at Kirtland, at an e.xpense of about ,$50,000. In this 
building, there was a sacred apartment, a kind of holy of holies, in which none but the 
priests were allowed to enter. An unsuccessful application was made to the legislature for 
the charter of a bank. Upon the refusal, they established an unchartered institution, com- 
menced their banking operations, issued their notes, and made extensive loans. The 
society now rapidly increased in wealth and numbers, of whom many were doubtless drawn 
thither by mercenary motives. But the bubble at last burst. The bank being an unchar- 
tered institution, the debts due were not legally collectable. With the failure of this insti- 
tution, the society rapidly declined, and Smith was obliged to leave the state to avoid the 
sheriff. Most of the sect, with their leader, removed to Missouri, where many outrages 
were perpetrated against them. The Mormons raised an armed force to " drive off the 
infidels ;" but were finally obliged to leave the state. By the last accounts, they were 
establishing themselves at Nauvoo, Illinois ; and it is said are now in a more flourishing 
condition than ever, rapidly making converts by means of their itinerant preachers in va- 
rious sections of our own country and even in England. 

Rose, taken from Wolcott in 1826 ; from Albany 177 miles. Rose 
Valley is a small post village, 10 miles NE. from Lyons. Pop. 2,031. 

Savannah, taken from Galen in 1824 ; from Lyons centrally situ- 
ated E. 13 miles. Pop. 1,707. 

SoDUs was organized in 1789 ; bounds since altered ; from Albany 
180 miles. Sodus, on the Ridge road, 13 miles NW., and Sodus 
Point, 15 miles from Lyons, are small villages. At Nicholas Point, 
on Sodus bay, a body of Shakers settled in 1825. They have a 
a church, but are few in number. At Sodus bay, on Lake Ontario, 
the United States have made a pier for the improvement of the har- 
bor, of about a mile in length. The lake steamers enter the harbor 
and bay. Pop. 4,393. 

The following is extracted from Thompson's History of the late War : 

" On the 18th of June, 1813, the British fleet appeared before the town of Sodus, on a 
bay of that name, which is formed on the American side of Lake Ontario, between Gen- 
esee and Oswego rivers. General Burnet, of the New York militia, suspecting that thev 



WANYE COUNTV. 583 

intended to land their troops, and capture a quantity of provisions, ordered out a regiment 
from t^» county of Ontario. The mihtia collected in great haste, and arrived at Sodus on 
the following morning. But the enemy, well knowing that his appearance would excite 
the alarm of the inhabitants, drew off his forces until their apprehensions should be subsi. 
ded, and re-appeared in the evening of the 19th, a few hours after the militia had been die. 
charged. In contemplation of his return, the inhabitants had removed all the pubhc stores 
from the buildings on the water's edge, to a small distance in the woods, and on the re- 
appearance of the hostile squadron, a second alarm was immediately given, and expresses 
sent after the discharged militia, which overtook and brought them back, with a large rein- 
forcement. Before their return, the enemy had landed, and finding that the provisions had 
been removed, they set fire to all the valuable buildings in the town, and destroyed most of 
the private property of every description. They then agreed to stipulate with the inhabi. 
tants, to desist from destroying the remaining houses, on condition of their surrendering the 
flour and provisions, which they knew had been deposited at that place. These articles 
were then not more than two hundred yards from the village, yet the enemy did not choose 
to attempt their capture, lest he might be drawn into an ambuscade ; but he threatened the 
entire destruction of every house in the town, if they were not immediately delivered over 
to him. The appearance of the militia prevented the execution of this threat, and the en- 
emy immediately returned to his shipping, and moved up the lake on the following morn- 
ing." 

Walworth, taken from Ontario in 1829 ; from Albany 208, from 
Palmyra NW. 6 miles. Walworth Corners is a small village. Pop. 
1,734. 

Williamson, taken from Sodus in 1802 ; area since altered ; from 
Albany 206 miles. Pop. 2,147. Pulteneyville, 21 miles NW. from 
Lyons, on Lake Ontario, and Williamson Corners, are small post vil- 
lages. 

The following account of the invasion of Pulteneyville, May 15th, 
1814, by the British, is from the Ontario Messenger, published at that 
time at Canandaigua : — 

" General Porter has received a letter from General Smith, communicating the particu- 
lars of the late visit of the enemy to that place, of which the following is a summary : ' On 
Saturday evening, 15th ult., the British squadron was discovered making towards Pulteney- 
ville, and information sent to General Swift, who repaired thither in the course of the suc- 
ceeding night with 130 volunteers and militia. On Sunday a flag was sent on shore de- 
manding a peaceable surrender of all public property, and threatening an immediate de- 
struction of the village, (which is on the margin of the lake,) in case of refusal. General 
Swift returned for answer that he should oppose any attempt to land, by all means in his 
power. Soon after the return of the flag, General Swift was induced, by the pressing so- 
licitations and entreaties of the inhabitants of the town, to permit one of the citizens to go 
to the enemy with a flag, and offer up the surrender of the property contained in a store- 
house at the water's edge, consisting of about 100 barrels of flour, considerably damaged, 
on condition that the commanding officer would stipulate not to take any other, nor molest 
the inhabitants. Before the return of the flag, the enemy sent their boats with several 
hundred men on shore, who took possession of the flour in the store and were proceeding 
to further depredations. General Swift, Vv hose force was too inferior to justify an open at. 
tack, (and which, if attempted, must have exposed his men to the guns of the whole fleet,) 
commenced a fire upon them from an adjacent wood, which wounded several, and became 
so harassing as to induce them to re-embark, whence they commenced a cannonade from 
the fleet upon the town, which was continued for some time, but with no other injury than 
a few shot-holes through the houses. Three hundred barrels of good flour had been re- 
moved back from the storehouse a few days before, leaving the damaged flour, which was 
the only booty obtained by the enemy. The three hundred barrels of flour were deposited 
about a mile back of the town, of which the enemy were apprized by some prisoners they 
took. But they chose to forego the plunder of it, rather than trust themselves in the woods 
with General Swift and his riflemen.' " 

WoLcoTT, taken from Junius, and organized as part of Seneca coun- 
ty in 1807 ; area since altered; from Albany 184 miles. Wolcott 



584 WESTCHESTER COUNTY. 

18 miles NE. from Lyons, is a village of about 60 dwellings. Rea 
Creek is a small settlement, 26 miles from Lyons. Pop. 2,482. 



WESTCHESTER COUNTY. 

Westchester county is of ancient date. It was represented in 
the first legislative assembly in the colony, which met at New York 
in 1691. And it has constituted one county to this time, having been 
organized as such by the general acts of 1788 and 1801. This coun- 
ty comprises a very important section of the state. Washed on the 
west by the Hudson, and on the south by the East river and Long 
Island sound, it enjoys very superior advantages for trade and com- 
merce. The county generally exhibits a beautiful diversity of sur- 
face. The northwestern corner is considerably broken by the SE. 
border of the Highlands, of a mountain character, and a range of 
hills of moderate height extends from York Island towards the NE. 
extremity, on which are situated the heights and hills much known in 
the revolution. Based upon primitive rock, the soil is naturally ster- 
ile, but is rendered productive by careful and painful cultivation. Of 
wheat it produces little, and the inhabitants import a large portion of 
their bread-stuffs. Summer crops are good, and by the use of plaster, 
valuable returns in grass are obtained. The chief business of the in- 
habitants consists in supplying New York city with garden stuffs, 
field vegetables, butter, poultry, &c. 

This county suffered severely during the revolution. The whole 
southern part was marked by the marches, works of defence, or 
skirmishes and battles of hostile armies. And, indeed, the active op- 
erations of the war in 1776, were principally confined to this region, 
and in the autumn to this county, where the two armies were in full 
force, constantly on the alert, and under the eyes of their respective 
commanders. The county is divided into 21 towns, all of which 
were organized under the act of March 7th, 1788, excepting New 
Castle. Pop. 48,687. 

Bedford, from New York NE. 44 miles, was first settled under a 
Connecticut license in 1681 or 1682, at a place called the hop-ground, 
on account of its natural product. The original patent, dated 1697, 
bears the Connecticut seal, and it was not until 1700 that the settle- 
ment was attached to New York by order of King William. Bed- 
ford, the half-shire town, has a courthouse and about 45 dwellings. 
Whitlockville is a small village. John Jay during the latter part of 
his life resided in the northern part of this town. The annexed 
sketch of his life is from Blake's Biographical Dictionary : — 

"John Jay, LL. D., first, chief-jtistioe of the United States under the constitution of 
1789, graduated at Kings, (now Columbia college,) 1764, and in 1768 was admitted to the 
bar. He was appointed to the first American congress in 1774. Being on the committee 
with Lee and Livingston to draft an address to the people of Great Britain, he was the 



WESTCHESTER COUNTY. 



585 




The residence of the late Chief-Justice Jay, Bedford. 

writer of that eloquent production. In the congress of 1775, he was on various important 
committees, performing more service perhaps than any other member except Franklin and 
John Adams. In May, 1776, he was recalled to assist in forming the government of New 
York, and in consequence his name is not attached to the Declaration of Independence ; 
but July 9th, he reported resolutions in the provincial convention in favor of the declaration. 
After the fall of New York and the removal of the provincial assembly to Poughkeepsie, 
Mr. Jay retained his resolute patriotism. The very eloquent address of the convention to 
the people of New York, dated Fishkili, December 23, 1776, and signed by A. Ten Broeck, 
as president, was written by him. March 12, 1777, he reported to the convention of New 
York the draft of a form of government, which was adopted, and many of the provisions 
of which were introduced into the constitution of other states. From May 3, 1777, to 
August 18, 1779, he was chief-justice of the state, but resigned that office in consequence 
of his duties as president of congress. The glowing address of that body to their constit- 
uents, dated September 8, 1779, was prepared by him. On the 29th of September, he was 
appointed minister plenipotentiary to the court of Spain. He was one of the commission- 
ers to negotiate peace with Great Britain, and signed the definitive treaty of peace at Paris, 
September 3, 1783. He returned to America in 1784. Congress had previously appointed 
him secretary of state for foreign affairs. In the difficult circumstances of the country, the 
secretary was in effect the head of the government. Mr. Jay's services were of great im- 
portance. He drew up, October 13, 1776, an elaborate report on the relations between the 
United States and Great Britain. Though not a member of the convention which formed 
the constitution of the United States, he was present at Annapolis, and aided by his advice. 
He also assisted Madison and Hamilton in writing the Federalist. In the convention of 
New York he contributed to the adoption of the constitution. He was appointed chief, 
justice by Washington, September 26, 1789. In 1794, he was appointed minister plenipo- 
tentiary to Great Britain, and succeeded in negotiating the treaty which still goes by his 
name. He was governor of the state of New York from 1795 to 1801. The remainder 
of his life he passed in retirement. He died in 1829, aged 84." 

Cortland. The surface of this town on the north is covered by the 
highlands, and has some lofty summits, the principal of which is the 
Colleberg and Anthony's nose. The town has a considerable portion 
of arable land. Pop. 5,592. Croton and Cortlandtown are small 
post villages. 

Peeks till'- village was incorporated in 1826. It is situated 12 miles 
north of Sing Sing, and immediately south of the southern termina- 
tion of the highlands. The annexed engraving shows the appear- 
ance of the village as seen from an elevation a few rods northward 
from the road to Carmel. The old Dutch Reformed and the Epis- 

74 



586 



WESTCHESTER COUNTY. 




East view of Peekskill. 



copal 



church are discernible on the right ; the Methodist and the 
Presbyterian church, having a small tower, are on the extreme left. 
The elevated spire of the new Dutch Reformed church is in the cen- 
tral part of the view. Hudson river, with the towering highlands, is 
seen in the distance. The village represented in the engraving is 
situated on an elevation 200 feet above the level of the river, half a 
mile from the landing, on both sides of a deep ravine, in which flows 
Gregory's brook, a rapid stream. There are in the village a bank, 
2 printing-offices, 2 large iron foundries, &c. There is an academy, 
a large edifice, situated on a commanding eminence at the south. It 
was erected by subscription, at an expense of $7,000. The village, 
including the landing, contains upwards of 200 dwellings, and 2 
churches for Friends, besides those mentioned above. There is a 
steamboat ferry at this place to Caldwell's landing, on the opposite 
side of the Hudson, two miles distant. Verplanck's point and Conti- 
nental village, places distinguished in the revolutionary war, are with- 
in the limits of this town. This latter place, which had barracks for 
2,000 men, was burnt by the British in October, 1777; the following 
account of which is extracted from the Connecticut Journal of April 
2d, 1777. 

FishfnH, March 27. — Our post at Peck's-kill, since the removal of the miUtia of the eastern 
states, has been in a manner in a defenceless situation, there being only part of 2 regiments 
stationed there under the care of Gen. McDougal amountino; to about 250 rnen. The enemy 
having received intelligence of this, formed an expedition thither with a view to take or de- 
stroy the stores belonging to the continentals that were deposited there. Accordingly on Sun- 
day last they appeared with a frigate, four transports, and several other small vessels in the 
bay, and laudea about 1,()00 men, with several pieces of cannon. General McDougal not 
thinking it prudent to hazard a battle with such an unequal force, and not having seasonable 
advice of thii enemy's movement, was under the necessity of destroying their stores in order 
to prevent their ialUng into their hands, and retired about two miles mto the pass in the High- 
lands, carrying with him his bairgage and military stores; his advanced guard being stationed 
at Cortlandt's house in the valley. The enemy the same day took posse.ssion of the village, 
and remained close in their quarters until the next day in the atternoon, when a party of them, 
consisting of about 2()0 men, possessed themselves of a height a httle south of Cortlandt's. 
The general having received a reinforcement from Col. Ganscvoort's regiment, of about 80 



WESTCHESTER COUNTY. 587 

men, under the command of Lieut. Col. WlUet, permitted them to attempt to dispossess the 
enemy from that eminence. Col. Willet having accordingly made the necessary disposition, 
advanced with his small party with the greatest tirmness and resolution, and made the attack! 
The enemy instantly fled with the greatest precipitation, leaving three men dead on the field, 
and the whole body, panic-struck, betook themselves to their shipping, embarking under cover 
of the night ; and by the last accounts they had sailed down the river. Before they embarked, 
they gave out they mtended to stop at Tarry town, on their way down, and attempt to destroy 
our magazine of forage at Wright's mills. Upon their evacuating the place. Gen. McDougal 
took possession of his former quarters, and detached a party of men to watch their motions 
The enemy oo this occasion have been exceedingly disappointed, as they have not been able 
to carry off any stores left behind by our men, and no other flock than about 40 sheep and 8 
or 10 head of cattle, with which they were suppUed by our good friends the tories. Never 
did troops exhibit more firmness and resolution than did our army on this occasion. Notwith- 
standing the disparity of numbers was great, and the measure absolutely necessary, it was 
with the utmost reluctance they retired to the pass. As usual, these heroes of Britain have 
burnt some houses, plundered the inhabitants of what they could conveniently take with them, 
frightened the women and children, and raised the spirits of their tory brethren in that quar- 
ter, but which, alas, as is always the case when unnaturally elevated, are now again propor- 
tionably depressed. 

Peekskill is the birthplace of John Paulding, the American farmer, who intercepted 
Andre, the British spy, at Tarrytown, some fifteen miles below this place. His monument 
is situated about two miles to the north of the village. It is built of marble, of a pyramidal 
shape, about fifteen feet in height, and running to a point. It is enclosed in an iron railing 
about twelve feet square. The main inscription is on the south side, and runs thus : — 

" Here repose the mortal remains of John Paulding, who died on the 18th day of Feb- 
ruary, 1818, in the 60th year of his age. On the morning of the 23d of September, 1780, 
accompanied by two young farmers of the county of Westchester, (whose names will one 
day be recorded on their own deserved monuments,) he intercepted the British spy, Andre. 
Poor himself, he disdained to acquire wealth by sacrificing his country. Rejecting the temp- 
tation of great rewards, he conveyed his prisoner to the American camp, and by this act 
of noble self-denial, the treason of Arnold was detected ; the designs of the enemy baffled ; 
West Point and the American army saved, and these U. S., now by the grace of God 
free and independent, rescued from imminent peril." On the opposite side is written — 
" The corporation of the city of New York erect this tomb as a memorial raised to public 
gratitude." On the east side is a beautiful wreath engraved on the marble, with the word, 
" Fidelity." 

East Chester. The village of East Chester is situated at the 
head of a bay on Long Island sound, IG miles NE. from New York, 
on the old turnpike and stage road to Boston, and contains an Epis- 
copal church and about 25 dwellings. Bronx is the name of a small 
settlement and post-office in the northern part of the town, in the 
vicinity of which are valuable marble quarries. Pop. 1,502. 

Greensburgh is pleasantly situated on the Hudson, 22 miles N. of 
the city of New York. Pop. 3,361. On the banks of the river are 
splendid sites for country residences, many of which are occupied by 
the wealthy. About two miles below the village of Tarrytown, 
beautifully situated on the Hudson, is the country residence of Wash- 
ington Irving, Esq., and well known as the " Van Tassel house." 
Dobbs' Ferry, a noted place in the revolution, is situated on the Hud- 
son, 22 miles N. of New York, and opposite the northern termination 
of the Pahsades. There is here a village containing 2 churches, and 
about 30 dwellings. Hastings is a small settlement and landing on 
the Hudson, 2 miles below Dobbs' Ferry : 3 miles E. of Tarrytown, 
is the small village of Greensburgh, where there is a store, a tavern, a 
few neat dwellings, and a Presbyterian church, in whose cemetery 
rest the remains of Isaac Van Wart, one of the captors of Andre ; 
over which is a marble monument, consisting of a base and pyramid, 
with the following inscription : 



539 



WESTCHESTER COUNTY. 




Van Tassel house, the residence of Washington Irving. 



" Here repose the mortal remains of Isaac Van Wakt, an elder of the Greenburgh 
church, who died on the 23d of May, 1826, in the 69th year of his age. Having lived the 
life, he died the death of the Christian. — The citizens of the county of Westchester erected 
this tomb, in testimony of the high sense they entertained for the virtuous and patriotic 
conduct of their fellow.citizen, and as a memorial sacred to public gratitude. — Vincit Amor 
Patriffi. — Nearly half a century before this monument was built, the conscript fathers of Ameri- 
ca had, in the senate chamber, voted that Isaac Van Wart was a faithful patriot — one in whom 
the love of country was invincible, and this tomb bears testimony that the record is true. — 
Fidelity. On the 23d of Sept. 1780, Isaac Van Wart, accompanied by John Paulding and 
David Williams, all farmers of the county of Westchester, intercepted Major Andre on his 
return from the American lines in the character of a spy, and notwithstanding the large 
bribes offered them for his release, nobly disdained to sacrifice their country for gold, se- 
cured and carried him to the commanding officer of the district, whereby the dangerous 
and traitorous conspiracy of Arnold was brought to light, the insidious designs of the enemy 
baffled, the American army saved, and our beloved country freed," &c. 

Tarrytown is pleasantly situated, 28 miles N. of New York, on an 
elevation overlooking the Hudson, opposite the widest part of Tap- 
pan bay. The village contains 4 churches, 80 or 90 dwellings, and 
about 1,000 inhabitants. The above is a view of the place, situated 
about one fourth of a mile N. of the village where Andre was taken 
prisoner, in Sept. 1780, by three militiamen. The road at that time 
ran a little to the west of its present location. The three were play- 
ing cards in the field on the right of the engraving, which was then 
covered with trees and shrubbery, when their attention was arrested 
by the clattering of a horse's hoofs over a wooden bridge thrown 
across the little brook seen in the foreground. They left their cards, 
and arrested Andre in the vicinity of the place where now stands a 
small pine tree, near which a human figure is placed in the engraving. 

The annexed account of the taking of Andre, is from a manuscript 
in the possession of Isaac H. Tiffany, Esq., of Fultonville ; being the 
notes of a personal conversation which he had with David Williams, 



WESTCHESTER COUNTY. 



589 




North view of the place where Andre loas taken prisoner. 

one of the actors in the scene at Broome, Schoharie county, Feb. 
13, 1817. 

Williams, Van Wart, and Paulding, (Williams aged between 22 and 23, the other two 
being younger,) were going to see some relations 20 miles below. The three were seated 
beside the road in the bushes, amusing themselves at cards, when their attention was ar- 
rested by the galloping of a horse. On approaching the road, they saw a gentleman riding 
towards them, seated on a large brown horse, which was afterward observed to have marked 
on the near shoulder the initials U. S. A. The rider was a light, trim-built man, about 5 
feet 7 inches in height, with a bold military countenance and dark eyes, and was dressed 
in a round hat, blue surtout, crimson coat, with pantaloons and vest of nankeen. As he 
neared them, the three cocked their muskets and aimed at the rider, who immediately 
checked his horse, and the following conversation ensued : 

Andre. " Gentlemen, I hope you are of our party !" 

Paulding. " What party?" 

Andre. " The lower party." 

Paulding. " We do." 

Andre. " I am a British officer ; I have been up in the country on particular business, and 
would not wish to be detained a single moment." 

He thereupon pulled out a gold watch, and exhibited it as an evidence that he was a 
gentleman, and returned it again to his fob. Paulding thereupon remarked, " We are Ameri- 
cans." 

Andre. " God bless my soul ! a man must do any thing to get along — I am a continental 
officer, going down to Dobbs Ferry to get information from below." 

Andre then drew out and presented a pass from General Arnold, in which was the as- 
sumed name of John Anderson. Seizing hold upon the reins of the horse, they ordered him 
to dismount. Andre exclaimed, " You will bring yourself into trouble !" " We care not 
for that," was the reply. They took him down ten or fifteen rods beside a run of water, 
and Williams proceeded to search the hat, coat, vest, shirt, and pantaloons, in which they 
found $80 in continental money ; and at last ordered him to take off his boots. At this, 
he changed color. Williams drew off the left boot first, and Paulding seizing it exclaimed, 
" My God ! here it is I" In it three half sheets of written paper were found enveloped by 
a half sheet, marked, " contents West Point." Paulding again exclaimed, " My God ! he's 
a spy .'" On pulling off the other boot, a similar package was found. 

Andre was now allowed to dress, and they marched him across the road into the field 
about twenty rods. The young men winked to each other to make further discoveries, and 
inquired from whom he got the papers ? " Of a man at Pine's bridge, a stranger to me," 
replied Andre. He then offered them for his liberty, his horse and equipage, watch, and 
100 guineas. This they refused to take, unless he informed them where he obtained the 
manuscript. He refused to comply, but again offered his horse, equipage, and one thousand 
guineas. They were firm in their denial, and Andre increased his offer to ten thousand 
guineas and as many drygoods as they wished, which should be deposited in any place 
desired, — that they might keep him and send some one to New York with his order, so 



590 WESTCHESTER COUNTY. 

that they could obtain them unmolested. To this they replied, " that it did not signify for 
him to make any offer, for he should not go." They then proceeded to the nearest mili- 
tary station, which was at North Castle, about twelve miles distant. On the way, Ar Jre 
gave them his watch, telling them that " it was a prize." On delivering him to Colonel 
Jamieson, the commanding officer, that gentleman enjoined the strictest secrecy, at the same 
time expressing an opinion that there were others doubtless concerned in the plot. Major 
Tallmadge, who had commanded a guard, received Andre at Col. Jamieson's quarters, 
and afterward, with about twenty men, conducted him to Col. Sheldon, at Salem. The 
three accompanied Andre part of the way, and then left. During the night, Tallmadge 
caused Andre to be tied to a tree at Comyen hill. From Salem he was conveyed to West 
Point, and from thence to Tappan. 

Williams, Paulding, and Van Wart, stood within the ring when Andre was hung. 
When the officer informed him that his time had nearly expired, and inquired if he had any 
thing to say, he answered, " Nothing but for them to witness to the world that he died 
like a brave man." The hangman, who was painted black, otTered to put on the noose — 
" Take off your black hands !" said Andre; then putting on the noose himself, took out his 
handkerchief, tied it on, drew it up, bowed wiih a smile to his acquaintances, and died. 

David Williams, now (Feb. 13, 1817,) aged 61, was born at Tarrytown, of Dutch ex- 
traction, and speaks that language. Paulding and Van Wart were also Dutch ; neither 
of the three spoke English well. Congress gave each a farm in Westchester county, of the 
value of £500, an annuity of $200 through life, together with an elegant silver medal, on 
one side of which was the inscription, " Fidelity" and on the reverse, the motto " Amor 
•patria. vincit," (the love of country conquers.) 

Harrison is 28 miles N. of New Yoric and 3 east of White Plains. 
Pop. 1,139. This is a fertile township, mostly inhabited by Friends. 
Harrison Purchase is a thickly settled agricultural vicinage, where is 
located a meeting-house and a post-office. 

Lewisboro, originally South Salem, received its present name in 
1840 ; centrally distant NE. from Bedford 6, and from New York 
50 miles. Pop. 1,619. Cross River, South Salem, Vista, and Gol- 
den's Bride, are names of the post-offices. At Cross River there are 
2 churches and about 20 dwellings. 

Sarah Bishop, the hermitess, resided near the boundary line of 
Lewisboro and the state of Connecticut. She lived on Long Island 
at the time of the revolutionary war. Her father's house was burnt 
by the British, and she was cruelly treated by a British officer. She 
then left society and wandered among the mountains near this part 
of the state, where she found a cave near Ridgefield, in which she 
resided till about the time of her death, which took place in 1810. 
She sometimes came down to the adjoining town of Ridgefield, Conn., 
to attend public worship on the Sabbath. It is said that the wild 
animals were so accustomed to see her, that they were not afraid of 
her presence. The following account of a visit to this hermitess, is 
taken from a newspaper printed at Poughkeepsie, in 1804. 

" Yesterday I went in the company of two Capt. Smiths of this town to the mountain, to 
visit the hermitage. As you pass the southern, an elevated ridge of the mountainj and begin 
to descend the southern steep, you meet with a perpendicular descent of a rock, m the front 
of which is this cave. At the foot of this rock is a gentle descent of rich and fertile ground, 
extending about ten rods, when it instantly forius a frightful precipice, descending half a mile 
to the pond called Long pond. In the front of the rock, on the north, where the cave is, and 
level with the ground, there appears a large frustum of the rock, of a double fathom in size, 
thrown out by some unknown convulsion of nature, and lying in the front of the cavity from 
which it wa.s rent, partly enclosing the mouth, and forming a room : the rock is left entire 
above, and forms the roof of this humble mansion. This cavity is the habitation of the her- 
mitess, in which she has passed the best of her years, excluded from all society ; she keeps no 
domestic animal, not even fowl, eat, or dog. Her little plantation, consisting of half an acre, 
is cleared of its wood, and reduced to grass, where she has raised a few peach trees, ana 
yearly plants a few hills oi beans, cucumbers, and potatoes ; tlie whole is surrounded with a 



WESTCHESTER COUNTY. 501 

luxuriant grape, vine, which overspreads the surrounding wood, and is very productive. On 
the opposite side of this little tenement, is a fine fountain of excellent water. At this fountain 
we found the wonderful woman, whose appearance it is a little difficult to describe ; indeed, 
like nature in its tirst state, she was without form. Her dress appeared Uttle else than one 
confused and shapeless mass of rags, patched together \yithout any order, which obscured all 
human shape, excepting her head, which was clothed with a luxuriancy of lank gray hair de- 
pending on every side, as time had formed it, without any covering or ornament. \Vhen she 
discovered our approach, she exhibited the appearance of a wild and timid animal : she started 
and hastened to her cave, which she entered, and barricadoed the entrance with old shells, 
pulled from the decayed trees. We approached this humble habitation, and after some con- 
versation with its inmate, obtained liberty to remove the pallisadoes and look in; for we were 
not able to enter, the room being only sufficient to accommodate one person. We saw no 
utensil either for labor or cookery, save an old pewter ba.sin and a gourd shell ; no bed but the 
solid rock, unless it were a few old rags, scattered here and there ; no bed-clothes of any kind ; 
not the least appearance of tbod or fire. .She had, indeed, a place in one corner of her cell, 
where a fire had at some time been kindled, but it did not appear there had been one for some 
months. To confirm this, a gentleman says he passed her cell 5 or 6 days after the great fall 
of snow in the beginning of March, that she had no fire then, and had not been out of her cave 
since tlie snow had fallen. How she subsists during the severe season, is yet a mystery ; she 
says she eats but little tie^h of any kind ; in the summer she lives on berries, nuts, and roots. 
We conversed with her for some time, found her to be of a sound mind, a religious turn of 
tiiought, and entirely happy in her situation ; of this she has given repeated proofs by refusing 
to quit this dreary abode. .She keeps a Bible with her, and says she takes much satisfaction, 
ana spent much time in reading it." 

Mamaroneck has a hilly surface, and the township is generally 
under good cultivation. Pop. 1,416. The village of Mamaroneck 
is about 24 miles from New York, and 161 from Albany. It is sit- 
uated on a bay about one mile from the sound, which admits vessels 
of 100 tons burden. The village contains 2 churches, 2 cotton fac- 
tories, and about 50 dwellings. 

The following letter of Gen. Samuel Parsons, dated at Mamaro- 
neck, Nov. 21st, 1777, to Gov. Try on, with his answer, is copied 
from a newspaper printed at the time. 

" Sir, — Adding to the natural horrors of war the most wanton destruction of property, 
is an act of cruelty unknown to civilized nations, and unaccustomed in war, until the ser- 
vants of the king of Great Britain have convinced the impartial world, no act of inhumanity, 
no stretch of despotism, are too great to exercise towards those they term rebels, 

" Had any apparent advantage been derived from burning the house on Philips' manor, 
last Monday, tliere would have been some reason to justify the measure ; but when no 
benefit whatever can be proposed, by burning those buildings and stripping the women and 
children of necessary apparel, to cover them from the severity of a cold night, and capti- 
vating and leading in triumph to your lines, in the most ignominious manner, the heads of 
those families, I know not what justifiable cause to assign for those acts of cruelty ; nor 
can I conceive a necessity for your further order to destroy Tarrytown. 

" You cannot be insensible it is every day in my power to destroy the houses and build, 
ings of Col. Philips, and those belonging to the family of Delancy, each as near your lines 
as those buildings were to my guards ; and notwithstanding your utmost diligence, you can- 
not prevent the destruction of every house this side of King's bridge. It is not fear, it is 
not want of opportunity that has preserved those buildings ; but a sense of the injustice and 
savageness of such a fine of conduct has saved them : and nothing but necessity will induce 
me to copy examples of this sort so often set by your troops. 

" It is not my inclination, sir, to war in this manner, against the inhabitants within your 
lines, who suppose themselves within your king's protection. But necessity will oblige me 
to retaliate in kind upon your friends, to procure the exercise of that justice which humanity 
used to dictate : unless your explicit disavowal of your two captains, Emmerick and Bams, 
shall convince me these houses were burned without your knowledge and against your 
order. I am, sir, your humble servant, Samuel H. Parsons." 

Governor Tryon's answer, dated King^s bridge camp, Nov. 23d, 1777. 

" Sir, — Could I possibly conceive myself accountable to any revolted subject of the king 
of Great Britain, I might answer your letter received by the flag of truce yesterday, respect- 
ing the conduct of the party under Capt. Emmerick's command upon the taking of Peter 
and Cornehus Van Tassel] ; I have, however, candor enough to assure you, as much as I 



592 WESTCHESTER COUNTY. 

abhor every principle of inhumanity, or ungenerous conduct, I should, were I in more au- 
thority, burn every committee man's house within my reach, as I deem those agents the 
wicked instruments of the continued calamities of this country : and in order sooner to 
purge this country of them, I am willing to give twenty.five dollars for every acting com- 
mittee man, who shall be delivered up to the king's troops : I guess before the end of 
next campaign, they will be torn in pieces by their own countrymen, whom they have for. 
cibly dragged in opposition to their principles and duty (after fining them to the extent of 
their property) to take up arms against their lawful sovereign, and compelling them to ex- 
change their happy constitution, for paper, rags, anarchy, and distress. 

" The ruins from the conflagration of New York, by the emissaries of your party last 
year, remain a memorial of their tender regard for their fellow beings exposed to the ' se- 
verity of a cold night.' 

" This is the first correspondence I have held with the king's enemies, on my part in 
America, and as I am immediately under the command of Sir Henry Clinton, your future 
letters, dictated with decency, would be more properly directed to his excellency. 

" I am, sir, your most obedient servant, William Tryon, Major Gen. 

" To Gen. Parsons." 

This came on Sunday the 23d inst, and by some means or other 
Gen. Delancy's house at Bloomingdale, on York Island, took fire on 
the 25th at night. 

From the Connecticut Journal, Dec. 10, 1777. 

" James Delancy, late sheriff of Westchester, and colonel of the enemy's militia, was 
taken last week by one of our scouts ; the colonel was found under a bed, and for a better 
defence, had surrounded himself with a bulwark of baskets. He was dragged from his 
humble redoubt, put under a proper guard, and sent to a place better secured." 

The following relative to the situation of this county in 1777, is 
taken from the 3d vol. of Dr. Dwight's Travels. 

" In the autumn of 1777, I resided for some time in this county. .The lines of the Brit- 
ish were then in the neighborhood of King's bridge ; and those of the Americans at Byram 
river. These unhappy people were, therefore, exposed to the depredations of both. Often 
they were actually plundered ; and always were liable to this calamity. They feared every- 
body whom they saw, and loved nobody. It was a curious fact to a philosopher, and a 
melancholy one to a moralist, to hear their conversation. To every question they gave 
such an answer, as would please the inquirer ; or, if they despaired of pleasing, such an 
one as would not provoke him. Fear was, apparently, the only passion by which they 
were animated. The power of vohtion seemed to have deserted them. They were not 
civil, but obsequious ; not obliging, but subservient. They yielded with a kind of apathy, 
and very quietly, what you asked, and what they supposed it impossible for t^em to retain. 
If you treated them kindly, they received it coldly ; not as kindness, but as a compensation 
for injuries done them by others. When you spoke to them, they answered you without 
either good or ill-nature, and without any appearance of reluctance or hesitation : but they 
subjoined neither questions, nor remarks, of their own ; proving to your full conviction, 
that they felt no interest either in the conversation, or in yourself. Both their countenances, 
and their motions, had lost every trace of animation and of feeling. Their features were 
smoothed, not into serenity, but apathy ; and instead of being settled in the attitude of quiet 
thinking, strongly indicated, that all thought, beyond what was merely instinctive, had fled 
their minds forever. 

" Their houses, in the mean time, were in a great measure scenes of desolation. Their 
furniture was extensively plundered, or broken to pieces. The walls, floors, and windows, 
were injured both by violence and decay ; and were not repaired, because they had not the 
means of repairing them, and because they were exposed to the repetition of the same in- 
juries. Their cattle were gone. Their enclosures were burnt, where they were capable of 
becoming fuel ; and in many cases thrown down, where they were not. Their fields were 
covered with a rank growth of weeds and wild grass. Amid all this appearance of desola- 
tion, nothing struck my own eye more forcibly than the sight of this great road — the passage 
from New York to Boston. Where I had heretofore seen a continual succession of horses 
and carriages, and life and bustle lent a sprightliness to all the environing objects, not a 
single, solitary traveller was visible from week to week, or from month to month. The 
world was motionless and silent; except when one of these unhappy people ventured upon 
a rare and lonely excursion to the house of a neighbor, no less unhappy ; or a scouting 



WESTCIIESTKK COUNTY. 



r)93 



party, traversing the country in quest of enemies, alarmed the inhabitants with expectations 
of new injuries and sufierings. The very tracks of the carriages were grown over, and ob- 
hterated : and, where they were discernible, resembled the faint impressions of chariot 
wheels said to be left on the pavements of Herculaneum. The grass was of full height for 
the scythe ; and strongly reahzed to my own mind, for the first time, the proper import of 
that picturesque declaration in the Song of Deborah : ' In the days of Shamgar, the son of 
Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were unoccupied ; and the travellers walked 
through by-paths. The inhabitants of the villages ceased : they ceased in Israel.' " 

Mount Pleasant is a large and fine township, diversified with hill^ 
and valleys. Pop. 7,308. Beds of marble abound in this vicinity, 
and are extensively quarried at Sing Sing and other places. Sing 
Sing, Pleasantville, Sparta, and Unionville, are villages. The village 
of Sing Sing, 34 miles from New York, and 111 from Albany, was 
incorporated in 1813. Its name is derived from the Chinese Tsing- 
sing, the title of a celebrated governor, in China, of a city so called. 
It is said to have been brought to this country by a Dutch settler 
who had traded with China. The village is situated on an uneven 
spot of ground, and is quite diversified in its appearance ; and is a 
thriving place, having 4 churches, an academy for males, an institu- 
tion for females, a number of mills, and upwards of 200 dwellings. 




Sing Sing Prison. 

The above is a view of the State Prison on the bank of the Hud- 
son in Sing Sing village, which usually contains from 800 to 900 
convicts. The following, relative to the history of the prison, &c., is 
taken from an article published in the N. Y. Express, April 13th, 1841. 

" In 1823, the solitary system of imprisonment was abandoned at the Auburn prison, and 
was succeeded in 1824 by the present s)'stem of shutting up the convicts in separate cells 
by night, and compelling them to labor diligently during the day. 

"The adoption of tliis system rendered the Auburn prison, which in 1824 contained but 
550 separate cells, insufficient for the accommodation of all the convicted felons in the state, 
and an act of the legislature was passed in March, 1824, for the erection of a new state 
prison in the first or second sena'orial districts, which the commissioners appointed for the 
purpose thought proper to locate in Mount Pleasant, Sing Sing, owing to its exhaustless 
bodies of marble, its healthy situation, and its accessibility by water. On the 14th of May, 
1826, Capt. E. Lvnds, former agent of the Auburn prison, with 100 convicts, in obedience 

7.5 



594 WESTCHK.-3TER COONTY. 

to instructions, proceeded to Sing Sing, and commenced the erection of the state prison 
there. This was completed in 1829, and contained 800 cells. By the addition of several 
additional counties to this prison district, greatly increasing the number of convicts, it was 
discovered that these accommodations were insufficient, and 20.0 more cells were ordered 
to be added, which result was obtained by adding another, or fifth story to the prison build, 
ing — which addition was completed in 1831. 

" In May, 1828, the convicts then in the old state prison in this city were removed to Sing 
Sing, and the old prison here was emptied of its inmates, and abandoned forever as a prison. 

" The Mount Pleasant prison at Sing Sing is 33 miles from this city on the eastern shore 
of the Hudson river, and ihe ground on which it stands is about 10 feet above high-water 
mark. The prison grounds contain 130 acres, and the wharf is approachable by vessels 
drawing 12 feet of water. The prison, keeper's house, workshops, &,c., are built of rough 
dressed stone. The prison for the males is 480 feet in length from north to south, and 44 
in width, fronting towards the west, or the Hudson river. This building is five stories high, 
containing a line of 100 cells in each story on the west side, and as many more on the east 
side, making 1,000 cells in all. The western yard is enclosed by two buildings 40 feet 
wide, and 2 stories high, which are occupied as the kitchen, hospital, chapel, workshops, 
storehouses, &c., and extend from the prison westerly to the edge of the water. The south 
wing adjoins the prison, but communicates with it only through the hospital. The north 
wing connects with the prison by a wall 20 feet in height, running north and south 10 feet, 
enclosing together an area of 494 feet by 412. In the centre of the west yard is a range 
of shops, 40 feet wide, fronting on the Hudson, and running parallel with the prison 276 
feet, with wings extending easterly towards the prison 140 feet, which are occupied as stone 
shops. The guard-house is on the bank or height on the east side of the prison, about 170 
feet above the level of the yard, commanding a perfect view of the east yard, and most of 
the west. Within the last few years, an additional building has been erected on the heights 
east of the main prison for the purposes of a female prison exclusively, which is capable of 
containing about 72 female convicts, one in each cell, and in which that number is now 
confined. 

" The officers of the prison, or those connected with its government, business, interests, 
health, and morals, are — five inspectors, a principal keeper, agent, clerks, physician, and 
chaplain, 25 assistant keepers, and 26 guards. These, except the clerk, are appointed by 
the Board of Inspectors, and hold their offices during their pleasure. The clerk is appointed 
by the governor and senate, and holds his office for four years. The inspectors are ap. 
pointed every two years by the governor and senate, and on them the government of the 
prison, its discipline, police, its moneyed concerns, contracts, &c., by law devolves. They 
are required to meet every two months, and inspect the prison, and to make a report an- 
nually to the legislature soon after it convenes. The duties of the principal officers are de- 
fined by law, and are such as the good government and welfare of the institution require. 

" In this prison the convicts are compelled to labor in silence — no conversation by word, 
look, or gesture being allowed between or amongst them If any information is needed by 
the prisoner in regard to his business, he modestly applies to, and obtains it of his keeper, 
one of whom is always near hiin in each department of labor. 

" The utmost harmony of movement in the various businesses conducted, and the most 
perfect order reigns. The whole internal machinery of the prison, with its more than 800 
hardy convict laborers, resembles more the quiet industry and subordination to authority of 
a well-regulated family, than an institution fur the punishment of hardened offenders. 

" The hours of labor are not more than laboring men out of prison generally labor. The 
food afforded is ample. The ration for each day consists of either 16 ounces of good prime 
beef, or 12 ounces of prime pork, 8 ounces of rye flour, 12 ounces of sifted Indian meal, 
and half a gill of molasses per man; and three bushels of potatoes, or 40 pounds of rice, 4 
quarts of rye in the grain for coffee, 2 quarts of vinegar, and two ounces of pepper to every 
100 rations. This is all weighed or measured out each day by the superintendent of the 
kitchen. The bread is well baked, and the provisions well cooked by some of the convicts 
employed for that purpose. Their provisions are put in small wooden vessels called kids, 
which are placed on racks, one of which each prisoner takes as he retires from labor to his 
cell, in which he is locked, and where silently he eats his repast. If any convict requires 
more food, on making his wants known, he is supplied from the kitchen. 

" At the close of the day, in long lines they march to their respective cells, accompanied 
by their keepers, and being locked in, partake of their food and indulge in repose. Each 
cell has a bunk of wood or frame, made of pine, 6 feet long and two wide, 4 or 6 inches 
from the floor, 4 blankets, a bible, pint-cup for their cotfec, small tin cup for vinegar, an iron 
spoon, a comb, and a towel. These are all kept clean, or made so when they :ire otherwise. 
From 12 to 14 convicts are employed in washing the clothes and bedding of the prisoners ; 



WESTCHESTER COUNTY. 



595 



some others do the cooking ; and once a week they are all shaved by a convict who acts 
as barber. 

" The tailoring is done by convict tailors, who make and repair all the prisoners' gar- 
ments. Clean underclothes are placed in their cells each week. At night they are care- 
fully watched by a keeper and four armed guards, who pace the galleries noiselessly, with 
socks on their feet — observe that all is safe — notice every noise ; and are prepared to quell 
any disturbance that might possibly arise. This latter is, however, almost impossible, as 
each prisoner is in a small cell by himself, and secured by powerful bolts and bars. 

" The moral and religious condition of the prisoners is also carefully attended to. Prayer 
generally at night, and a sermon and prayers every Sabbath morning by the chaplains in 
the chapel, a bible, and latterly other religious books in the cells, constitute a portion of 
their spiritual privileges. A Sunday school, attended by some 250 convicts as pupils, and 
a bible-class of 120 or more of them, are also in active operation each Sabbath in the cha- 
pel. The effects of these united means of mental and moral culture on many of the con- 
victs, are highly beneficial, and promissory of good fruits at a future day. They render 
the convicts more orderly and sober-minded, and divert their attention from less profitable 
subjects." 

The famous Sleepy Ilolloio, the noted location described in the 
" Sketch Book" by Washington Irving, is situated in the south part of 
this township, near Tarrytown ; it is a long ravine of 2 or 3 miles, 
through which a road passes on which is situated several romantic 
dwellings. 




Ancient Dutch church. 



The above is a northwestern view of the old Dutch Reformed 
church situated in the southern part of this town, about a mile north 
of the place where Andre was taken in Tarrytown. It is believed 
to be the oldest church now standing in the state. A tablet placed 
on the church bears the inscription, " Erected and built by Frederick 
Philips,* and Catharine Van Cortlandt, his wife, in 1699." The pulpit 
and communion table w^ere brought from Holland at the time of the 

* Frederick Philips was the original patentee of Philips' Patent, a very extensive tract in 
this county, originally comprising no less than 20 miles square, bounded west by the Hud- 
son, and lying south of the mouth of the Croton. Mr. Philips' settled on his manor about 
the year 1680, and built his dwelling, a stone mansion, a few rods west of the church. 



596 WESTCHESTER COUNTY. 

erection of the church. The building has latterly undergone some 
repairs internally and externally, by which it has lost considerable 
of its venerable appearance. Unfortunately, the pulpit has not es- 
caped the hand of modern innovation, but the communion table 
still remains unchanged, a venerable relic of a former age. This 
church and vicinity has been made celebrated by Irving's well-known 
" Legend of Hlee-py Hollow." 

" The sequestered situation of this church," says the author of this legend, " seem always 
to have made it a favorite haunt of troubled spirits. It stands on a knoll surrounded by 
locust trees and lofty elms, from among which its decent whitewashed walls shine mod- 
estly forth like Christian purity beaming through the shades of retirement. A gentle slope 
descends from it to a silver sheet of water, bordered by high trees, between which, peeps 
may be caught at the blue hills of the Hudson. To look upon its grass-grown yard, where 
the sunbeams seem to sleep so quietly, one would think that there at least the dead might 
rest in peace. On one side of the church extends a wide woody dell, along which laves 
a large brook among broken rocks and trunks of fallen trees. Over a deep black part of 
the stream, not far from the church, was formerly thrown a wooden bridge ; the road that 
led to it and the bridge itself were thickly shaded by overhanging trees, which cast a gloom 
about it even in the daytime, but occasioned a fearful darkness at night." 

It was in this church that the never-to-be-forgotten Yankee peda- 
gogue Ichabod Crane, in rivalry to the old Domine, led off the choir, 
making the welkin ring with the notes of his nasal psalmody. It 
was too in the ravine just back of the church, that this redoubtable 
hero, Ichabod, had his fearful midnight encounter with the headless 
horseman, and forever disappeared from the sight of the goodly in- 
habitants of Sleepy Hollow. 

Newcastle M^as organized from Northcastle in 1791 ; from New 
York N. 37, from Bedford W. 6 miles. Pop. 1,529. Newcastle is 
a small post village, in the northeast angle of the town. 

New Rochelle is situated on Long Island sound, 20 miles north- 
east of New York. Pop. 1,816. Settlements were early made in 
this town by Huguenots, who f]ed from France after the repeal of the 
edict of Nantz. The village of New Rochelle is delightfully situa- 
ted in sight of the sound, on the turnpike road from New York to 
Connecticut, and contains 4 churches, several hotels, and about 60 
dwellings. There is a small settlement at the landing on the sound 
containing an elegant hotel, &c. 

Northcastle is 36 miles NE. from New York, and centrally dis- 
tant 5 SW. of Bedford. Pop. 2,058. Northcastle is a post-office, 
around which there is a small settlement. 

North Salem is in the NE. corner of the county, 55 miles from 
New York, and 12 from Bedford. Pop. 1,161. North Salem, post 
village, has 3 churches, several mills and stores, and in its vicinity 
about 40 dwellings. 

Pelham is situated on the sound, 18 miles NE. from New York. 
Pop. 789. 

This dwelling was fortified against the Indians, and went by the name of Castle Philips. 
It is now s-:anding, and is occupied by his great grand-daughter, Mrs. Cornelia Beekman. 
Although the mansion has been modernized, remains of the poruholes are still to be seen 
in the stone walls of the cellar. 



WESTCHESTER COUNTY. 597 

PouNDRiDGE is sltuatcd 4 miles E. from Bedford. Pop. 1,407. 
Poundridge, post village, centrally situated, contains 1 Presbyterian, 
1 Methodist Episcopal church, and about 15 dwellings. 

Rye, the southeast town of the county, is distant Irom New York 
26 miles. Pop. 1,803. Port Chester, post village, formerly called 
Saw^pits, is on the New York and Connecticut turnpike, and west 
side of Byram river, which is here the boundary line of Connecticut 
and New York ; it is pleasantly situated, and contains 3 churches, 
and about 100 dwellings. This place possesses a convenient landing 
for steamboats and sloops. The village of Rye, on the New York 
turnpike, 1 mile from the sound, contains 3 churches, 2 academies, 
and about 30 dwellings. The old Jay mansion is situated in the 
western part of the town. 

ScARSDALE is 24 milcs fz'om New York, and 3 S. of White Plains. 
Pop. 255. 

SoMERs is on the north line of the county, 50 miles NE. of New 
York, and 10 east of Peekskill. Pop. 2,082. Somers is a neat post 
village, containing 2 churches and about 40 dwellings. Owensville 
is a post village, where there are located several factories and about 
30 dwellings. 

Westchester has an uneven surface, and a soil which will sustain 
a high degree of cultivation. Pop. 4,154. This town was probably 
first settled in 1642, by a Mr. Throckmorton and 35 associates, who 
came from New England with the approbation of the Dutch authori- 
ties. It was called by the Dutch, Eastdorp. The manor of Mor- 
risiana, originally containing about 3,000 acres, belongs to the dis- 
tinguished family of Morris ; it is in the SW. corner of the town, 
opposite Hell Gate. This manor gave name to a town from 1788 to 
1791, part of the present town of Westchester. Westchester village, 
at the head of navigation of Westchester creek, 2 miles from the 
sound, and 14 NE. from New York, contains about 50 dwellings. 
West Farms, on the Bronx river at the head of navigation, 3 miles 
from the sound and 12 from New York, contains about 60 dwellings. 

•' GouvERNEUR MoKRis was boin at Morrisiana, Jan. 31, 1752. He graduated at Kings 
college, New York, in 1768. He was bred to the law, in which he obtained a great repu- 
tation. In 1775, he was a delegate to the provincial congress in New York. In 1776, 
(Dec.) he acted as one of the committee for drafting a constitution for the State of New 
York, which was reported in March, 1777, and adopted in April of that year, after repeated 
and very able debates. He was employed in the public service in various capacities, during 
the revolutionary contest, in all of which he displayed great zeal and ability. After the 
revolution, he retired from pubhc life, and passed a number of years in private pursuits, 
excepting being a very active member of the convention which framed the constitution of 
the United States. In 1792, he was appointed minister to France, and remained there in 
that capacity until Oct. 1794. He returned to America in 1798, and in 1800 was chosen 
a senator from New York. In the summer of 1810, he examined the route for the Erie 
canal, and took a prominent part in originating and promoting that noble work. He died 
at Morrisiana, Nov. 5, 1816. He passed the latter years of his life at Morrisiana, exercising 
an elegant and munificent hospitality, reviewing the studies of his early days, and carrying 
on a very interesting correspondence with statesmen and literati in Europe and America. 
The activity of his mind, the richness of his fancy, and the copiousness of liis eloquent con- 
versation, were the admiration of all his acquaintance ; and he was universally admitted to 
be one of the most accomplished and prominent men of our country." 



598 



WESTCHESTER COUNTV. 




Southeast view o White Plains village, (centra' part.) 

White Plains has a hilly, but mostly an arable soil, well adapted 
for grazing. Pop. 1,087, The half-shire village of White Plains is 
situated on the old post road to Boston, 27 miles NE. from New York, 
125 from Albany, and 14 miles SW. from Bedford. It contains 2 Meth- 
odist, 1 Presbyterian, 1 Episcopal, and 1 Baptist church, the county 
buildings, an academy, 70 or 80 dwellings, and about 550 inhab- 
itants. The above view shows the appearance of the central part 
of the village : the courthouse, an ancient building, is seen on the 
left, the spire of the academy on the extreme right. 

The following account of the military operations in this town and 
its vicinity in Oct. 1776, and the events which followed, is from 
Botta's American Revolution. 

" The English general remained several days at Frogs Neck, as well to repair the bridges 
which the enemy had broken, as to wait for a considerable reinforcement whicii he had 
called from Staten Island. The road from Frogs Neck to Kingsbridge is excessively rough 
with continual masses of small stones, and the Americans had also obstructed it in many 
places. Washington, who had assembled all his army at Kingsbridge, sent forward his 
light infantry to scour the country, and to harass the enemy in his march. 

" Gen. Howe, having received his reinforcements, put himself in motion with all his 
troops ; he crossed Pelham Manor, and went to encamp at New Rochelle, where he was 
joined by the second division of Hessians, and of the troops of Waldeck under Gen. Knyp. 
hausen, and by a regiment of cavalry lately arrived at New York from Ireland. As the 
principal project of the expedition was to intercept the communication of Washington with 
the eastern provinces, and then, if he declined to venture an engagement, to shut him up 
on the island of New York, consequently it was necessary to occupy the two roads leading 
into Connecticut; the one upon the coast of the sound, and the other more inland. The 
first was already in the power of the English ; but in attempting to occupy the second, it 
was requisite to traverse the difficult country of which we have already made mention, in 
order to secure the post of the highlands, known by the name of White Plains, upon the 
rear of Kingsbridge. 

" Gen. Howe determined to take this route ; he marched, however, slowly and with 
extreme caution, after leaving at New Rochelle the German corps, lately arrived, to secure 
the lower road, and the communication with those places whence stores and necessaries 
were to arrive. 

" Washington examined, with attention, the danger of his position. He penetrated the 
designs of the enemy, and consequently decided to abandon, with the main body of his 
army, the encampment of Kingsbridge. Extending, therefore, his left wing, he took post 
with it in the White Plains, while the right occupied the heights of Valentine's Hill, near 



♦ WESTCHESTER COUNTV^. 599 

Kingsbridge ; the centre exactly filled the space comprehended between these two points. 
Here he intrenched himself with the greatest care. His army thus formed a well secured 
line, parallel to the river Bronx, which lay on its front, and separated it from the English, 
•'ho marched up along the lefi bank of this stream. 

" Washington had behind him the great river Hudson, into which the English frigates 
had not yet been able to penetrate so far as to intercept the supplies of provisions which he 
received from the upper parts. With his left wing he occupied the upper road of Connec- 
ticut, by which he was also abundantly supplied with provisions and munitions. He had 
left sufficient garrisons at Kingsbridge, at Harlem, and in Fort Washington ; in this last 
place, however, against his own opinion. Meanwhile, he detached numerous parties, over 
the Bronx, in order to retard the motions of the enemy. Hence frequent skirmishes ensued, 
and though the royalists had generally the advantage in these rencounters, they still served 
to dissipate the terror of the Americans, who every day showed themselves more bold in 
defying the enemy. 

" Upon the approach of the English to the White Plains, Washington, all at once, called 
in his detachments, and abandoning the positions he had occupied along the Bronx, assem- 
bled all his troops in a strong camp upon the heights, near these plains, in front of the enemy. 
His right flank was protected by the Bronx, which, by its windings, also covered the front 
of the right wing. The main body wa.s nearly parallel to the river, and the left wing being 
placed at a right angle upon the centre, and consequently parallel to the right, extended 
towards the north upon the hills, as much as was necessary to guard the defiles leading to 
the upper mountainous regions, into which the army, if expedient, might retire. But the 
right wing, being posted in more level and less difficult ground, found itself more exposed ; 
wherefore Gen. McDougall was ordered to occupy, with a strong detachment, a mountain 
about a mile distant from the camp ; he intrenched himself there as well as the time would 
admit of. 

" Such was the position of the American army when the English arrived within 7 or 8 
miles of White Plains, and prepared themselves to attack without loss of time. On the 
morning of the 28th of Oct. they advanced in 2 columns, the right commanded by Gen. 
Clinton, and the left by Gen. Heister. At noon, all the outposts being driven back by the 
English and Hessian light infantry, the British army appeared before the American camp. 
Immediately there ensued a cannonade, but to very little effect. The English drew up in 
order of battle ; their right occupied the road which leads to Marrineck, about a mile distant 
from the centre of the enemy ; while the left, equally distant from his right, bordered the 
Bronx. The English general having observed the importance of the position taken by Gen. 
McDougall, and being persuaded that the right of the enemy, which was his only assailable 
point, could not be forced so long as it should be protected by a post of such strength, re. 
solved to wrest it from the Americans. He ordered a Hessian regiment, commanded by 
Col. Ralle, to ford the Bronx, and by a circuitous movement to fall upon the flank of Gen. 
McDougall, while Gen. Leslie should attack him in front with a brigade of English and 
Hessians. Col. Ralle having arrived at the point indicated, Leslie, who had also crossed 
the Bronx, furiously assaulted the intrenchments of McDougall. The militia soon fled, but 
the regular troops made a valiant resistance. A regiment of Maryland, conducted by Col. 
Smaliwood, and a regiment of New York, under Col. Ratzemar, ventured even to come 
out of the lines and to charge the enemy at the very foot of the mountain, but they were 
overpowered by numbers and forced to retire. Then the English and Hessians ascended 
the heights with singular intrepidity, and took possession of them after a vigorous struggle. 
The Americans, however, continued for some time to fire from behind the walls of enclo- 
sures, and thus retarded the progress of the assailants. But Gen. Putnam, who had been 
sent to their succor, could not arrive in season. The loss of men in this action was great 
on the one part as well as on the other. 

" Washington, calmly expecting that the enemy would come to attack him next, had 
already sent into his rear the sick and the baggage ; but as it grew towards the close of day, 
the English general determined to defer the assault till the next morning. He caused his 
troops to encamp within cannon-shot of the American lines. Washington took advantage 
of the night to strengthen them with additional works, and to occupy a stronger position in 
the rear with his left wing, which, by the loss of the mountain, had become more exposed. 
When the light appeared, Gen. Howe reconnoitred the intrenchments of the enemy, and 
found them sufficiently formidable to determine him to wait the arrival of some battalions 
that had been left at New York, under the command of Lord Percy, and of several compa- 
nies from Marrineck. These reinforcements being received on the evening of the 3'Jth, he 
appointed the following morning for the assault, but the excessive rain which fell during the 
night and also in the morning, compelled him to defer it. The American general, in the 
mean time, examined his position with his accustomed prudence ; he was decided not to 



600 WESTCHESTER COUNTY. 

risk a pitched battle without the strongest hope of success. He perceived that the English 
had already ereciod 4 or 5 batteries, and that by turning his right flank they might get pos. 
session of the heights situated upon his rear. He concluded, therefore, to break up his 
camp in the night (;f the 1st of November. He removed into a country still more mouiA 
tainous in the vicinity of North Castle ; having previously set fire to the houses in White 
Plains and the neighborhood, and to the forage that was found in the camp. Hp immedi- 
ately detached a strong corps to occupy the bridge over the Croton river, which leads to the 
upper parts of the Hudson. On the following morning the English took possession of the 
American camp. 

" Gen. Howe, perceiving that his enemy declined an engagement, and that from the 
situation of the country, and his knowledge of every advantageous position, it would be 
impossible to compel him to fight but upon the most unequal and hazardous terms, took the 
determination to discontinue the pursuit, and to turn his attention to the reduction of the 
forts and fastnesses still occupied by the Americans in the neighborhood of New York. 
His views were particularly directed upon Fort Washington, which was its principal bul- 
wark. But, though the ground where this fortress had been erected was very rough and 
difficult, its fortifications were not sufficiently strong to resist heavy artillery. It was inca- 
pable, from its little extent, of containing more than a thousand defenders ; the outworks 
that surrounded it, especially to the south, towards New York, might lodge, it is true, a 
much stronger garrison. 

" The commander-in-chief, as if he had foreseen the event, had written to Gen. Greene, 
■who commanded in this part, enjoining him to reflect maturely upon his position, and in 
case he should find that Fort Washington was not in a situation to sustain an assault, to 
cause it to be forthwith evacuated ; and to transport the garrison to the right bank of the 
Hudson. But this general, either believing that the strength of the place and the valor of 
the troops would assure him a long defence, or from the apprehension that his retreat would 
increase the already too general discouragement of the Americans, took the resolution to 
hold out to the last. He was herein the more easily determined, as he believed that the 
garrison would always be able to retreat into Fort Lee, situated upon the other bank of the 
river. But Washington judged less favorably of the future ; he was persuaded that the 
English would not remain satisfied with the reduction of the first fort ; but that crossing the 
river, and making themselves masters of the second, which was not tenable, they would 
spread themselves in the province of New Jersey. He left therefore Gen. Lee, with the 
militia of the Ccistern provinces, upon the left bank of the Hudson, and having secured the 
strong positions towards the Croton river, and especially that of Peeks Kill, near the Hud- 
son itself, he crossed that river with the main body of his army, and went to rejoin Gen. 
Greene in his camp under Fort Lee. Gen. Lee himself had orders to come with all speed 
and join him, in case the enemy, after having taken the fort, should show himself upon the 
right bank of the Hudson. He afterward wrote to the governor of New Jersey, requesting 
him to remove the magazines of provisions into the most remote parts, and to call out all 
the militia. All these dispositions being made to his wish, Washington watched with an 
attentive eye the movements of the enemy. 

" Meanwhile, Gen. Howe had ordered Gen. Knyphausen to march from New Rochelle, 
and to occupy Kingsbridge. This he executed without obstacles, the Americans, who 
guarded this position, having fallen back upon Fort Washington. The corps of Gen. Knyp- 
hausen consequently penetrated into the island of New York, £ind proceeded to invest the 
fort, on the part of the north. 

" A short time after, the Enghsh general himself abandoned the White Plains, and de- 
scending along the banks of the Hudson, conducted the rest of the army to Kingsbridge. 
He pitched his camp upon the heights of Fordham, his right wing being covered by the 
Hudson, and his left by the Bronx. 

" The royalists then prepared to attack Fort Washington ; its interior and appurtenances 
were defended by full 3,000 men, under the command of Col. Magaw, a brave and experi- 
enced officer. He was summoned in vain to surrender. The besiegers proceeded to the 
assault in four divisions, the first from the north, commanded by Gen. Knyphausen, and 
consisting of Hessians and the troops of Waldeck ; the second from the east, composed of 
English light infantry and two battalions of guards, conducted by Gen. Matthews. Th\s 
corps was to attack the intrenchments which extended from Fort Washington almost to the 
East river ; the third, commanded by Col. Sterling, was destined to pass this river lower 
down than the second, in order to assail the fort more to the south ; but this was onJy a 
feint. The fourth, which obeyed the orders of Lord Percy, a very strong corps, was direct- 
ed to aim its assault against the western flank of the fortress. These different divisions 
were provided with a numerous and excellent artillery. The Hessians, under Gen. Knyp- 
hausen, were to pass through a very thick forest, where Col. Rawlings was already ps«ted 



WYOMING COUNTY. 601 

with his regiment of riflemen. An extremely warm affair was engaged, in which the 
Germans sustained a severe loss. The Americans, ambushed behind the trees and rocks, 
fired in security ; but at last, the Hessians redoubhng their efforts, gained a very steep 
ascent, whence they came down upon the enemy with an irresistible impetuosity ; the 
divisions which followed them were thus enabled to land without molestation. Col. Raw. 
lings retreated under the cannon of the fort. Lord Percy, on his part, had carried an 
advanced work, which facilitated the debarkation of the party under Col. Sterling, who, 
the moment he had landed, forced his way up a difficult height, which was very resolutely 
defended ; he gained the summit, where he took a considerable number of prisoners, not. 
withstanding their gallant resistance. Col. Cadwalladcr, who was charged with the defence 
of this part, retired also into the fort. 

" Col. Ralle, who led the right column of Gen. Knyphausen's attack, surmounted all 
obstacles with admirable valor, and lodged his column within 100 yards of the fort. Soon 
after. Gen. Knyphausen joined him with the left column ; having at length extricated him. 
self from the difficulties encountered in the forest. The garrison having thus lost, though 
not without glory, all their advanced works, found themselves closely invested within the 
body of the fortress. The besiegers then summoned Col. Magaw to surrender. He had 
already consumed nearly all his ammunition. The very multitude of defenders pressed into 
so narrow a space, was prejudicial to defence, and every thing demonstrated that he could 
not sustain an assault. Accordingly he decided to capitulate. The garrison, amounting 
to 2,600 men, inclusive of the country militia, surrendered prisoners of war. The Ameri- 
cans had few killed ; the royalists lost about 800, the greater part Germans. The reduc 
tion of Fort Washington thus gave the royal army entire possession of the island of New 
York." 

YoNKERs is centrally distant 16 miles N. of New York. Pop. 
2,968. Yonkers village, formerly called Philipsbm'g, is situated upon 
the Hudson, and contains 2 churches, a female seminary, and about 
50 dwellings. This place is a favorite summer resort for the citizens 
of New York. Kingsbridge, 13 miles N. of the city hall, New 
York, is on Spuyten Duyvel creek, or Harlem river, and contains 
about a dozen dwellings. The bridge at this place is of wood, about 
60 feet long. This neighborhood was the scene of important military 
operations during the revolution. 

YoRKTowN is 45 miles N. of New York, and 6 E. of Peekskill. 
Pop. 2,819. Crompond is a small village containing 2 churches and 
about a dozen dwellings. The names of the post-offices are York- 
town, Pine Bridge, and Shrub Oak. Through the south part flows 
the Croton river, where is located the great dam and reservoir for 
the Croton aqueduct. [See p. 336.] This river was named after an 
ancient sachem, Croton, who resided on its banks at the first settle- 
ment of the country. 



vVYOMING COUNTY. 

Wyoming county was formed from the southern portion of Gen- 
esee county in 1841 ; length E. and W. 25, breadth N. and S. 18 
miles ; centrally distant from New York 325, and from Albany 264 
miles. The surface of the county is but gently undulated, and the 
general character of the soil is a most sandy or gravelly loam, well 
adapted to the culture of grain and grass. The Genesee river touches 

76 



602 WYOMING COUNTY. 

the southeastern corner in the town of Castile. Allen's creek, so 
named from the infamous Indian Allen, who committed many mur- 
ders on the frontier inhabitants in this region, rises in this county, and 
flowing northeasterly through a portion of the county of Genesee 
empties into, the Genesee river in the town of Wheatland, Monroe 
county. The Holland Land Company, to whom this country origin- 
ally belonged, still own some small tracts. It is divided into 13 
towns, and has a population of about 30,000. 

Attica, taken from Sheldon in 1821 ; centrally distant NW, from 
Warsaw, the county seat, 8 miles. Pop. 2,709. Attic, a post village 
in the northern part, contains 2 churches, a printing office, several 
mills, stores, and about 125 dwellings. Attica Centre is a smaller 
village. 

Bennington, the NW. corner town, was taken from Sheldon in 
1818; centrally distant NW. from Warsaw 14 miles. Pop. 2,367. 
Bennington and Cowlesville are small post villages. 

Castile, the SE. corner town, was taken from Perry in 1821 ; 
centrally distant SE. from Warsaw 7 miles. Pop. 2,828. Castile 
and St. Helena are small villages, the latter of which is on the 
Genesee river. Silver Lake is a post-office near the Silver Lake. 

" The Gardow Reservation, which lies partly in this town, was a tract of 10,000 acres, 
which the Seneca Indians reserved in their sale to Robert Morris in 1797, conferring it 
upon Mary Jemison, the celebrated " White Woman," who resided upon it until her 
decease, at a very advanced age, in Sept. 1833. Mary Jemison was truly a remarkable 
woman. She was of Irish parents, and was born at sea, on their passage to America in 
1742 or '43. Her parents settled on what was at that time the frontier of Pennsylvania. 
She had an uncle in the command of Washington, who fell at Braddock's defeat. In the 
spring of 1755, Mary, her parents, two brothers, and several inmates of the house, were 
made prisoners by a party of half a dozen Seneca Indians and four Frenchmen. They 
were all hurried off into the woods, and the whole party murdered, Mary alone excepted. 
She was exposed to all tne hardships and privations of a prisoner until her arrival at a 
Seneca town, where she was adopted into an Indian family as a daughter, and hencefor- 
ward treated with kindness, — leading a roving life, and for a season meditating upon the 
means of escape. These being frustrated, she at length resigned herself entirely to the 
Indian life and customs. At a proper age, she was married to a Delaware Indian, whom 
she loved, and by whom she had one or more children. She visited Fort Pitt several times, 
and occasionally resided among the Shawnee Indians. 

" Her husband died, and she afterward married a Seneca chief, living in the Genesee 
valley, at about the beginning of the revolution. Her Seneca husband was a man of blood, 
but kind and afieciionate to her. She retained her family name, Jemison, and also the 
English language, which she spoke fluently until the day of her death. But although she 
had been religiously instructed by her parents, she embraced the religion of the Indians, 
and became thoroughly Indianized — adopting and becoming enamored of all their manners, 
habits, and customs, throughout. Her life was full of incident and wild adventure. The 
Indians ever entertained an exalted esteem for her, as was evinced by the grant of the 
Gardow tract — embracing a rich section, both of intervale and upland, upon which she 
resided until within a few years before her death, which took place at the Buffalo Creek 
Reservation. [See Buffalo.] In obtaining this grant or reservation, moreover, she showed 
all the cunning of her adopted people. Mr. Thomas Morris, who conducted the treaty for 
his father, has told me that when a request was made to him for a reservation for the 
" White Woman," he supposed that they meant only a farm of some 200 or 300 acres, but 
that the woman herself by artfully indicating certain bounds, with which he was not exactly 
familiar, actually overreached him and obtained the large tract already mentioned ; includ- 
ing the whole of the Gardow Flats, and the romantic walls of rock and hill within which 
they are sequestered. 

" During the revolution, her house was often the quarters of Brant and Col. John Butler, 
when making their inroads upon the frontiers of the colonies. She attended the treaty of 



WYOMING COUNTV. 603 

Genesee Flats, held by Gen. Schuyler in 1775 ; and her life, taken down in writing, from 
her own lips in 1823, was full of incident and adventure. She would not throw off her 
Indian costume, even after the white population had completely surrounded her residence, 
but adhered to her Indian customs with the utmost tenacity to the last. She was rich, not 
only in lands, but in herds and flocks, and had tenants who worked her lands. One of her 
sons was educated a physician, and obtained a surgeon's commission in the navy — dying a 
few years ago on the Mediterranean station. In many respects, Mary was a valuable 
woman — humane and benevolent — and doing great good among the people of her adop- 
tion." — New York Commercial Advertiser. 

China, the SW. town of the county, was taken from Sheldon in 
1818; from Warsaw centrally distant SVV. 17 miles. Pop. 1,437. 
Arcade is a small post village, containing about 60 dwellings. East 
China is a post-office, around which there is a settlement. 

Covington, the NE. corner town, was taken from Le Roy and 
Perry in 1817. Its limits were reduced in 1841, at the time of the 
division of Genesee county by the erection of Pavilion from its north- 
ern portion. It is centrally distant from Warsaw NE. 10 miles. 
Covington and La Grange are small post villages. 

Gainesville was originally named Hebe, and taken from Warsaw 
in 1814 ; centrally distant 6 miles. Pop. 2,367. Gainesville Centre, 
East Gainesville, and Gainesville, are small post villages. 

Java was taken from China in 1832 ; centrally distant SW. of 
Warsaw 15 miles. Pop. 2,331. Java, Java Centre, and Java village, 
are small post villages. 

MiDDLEBURY was takcu from Warsaw in 1812 ; centrally distant 
N. of Warsaw 6 miles. Pop. 2,447. Wyoming, post village, near 
the eastern boundary on Allen's creek, is 14 miles SE. of Batavia, 
and contains 1 Baptist, 1 Presbyterian, and 1 Methodist church, 61 
dwellings, 3 mercantile stores, and about 450 inhabitants. The Mid- 
dlebury academy is. a flourishing institution in this place. Middle- 
bury, a post-office, is in the northern part of the town. 

Orangeville was taken from Attica in 1816 ; centrally distant W. 
from Warsaw 6 miles. Pop. 1,949. Orangeville, East Orangeville, 
and Johnsonburgh, are small post villages. 

Perry was taken from Leicester in 1814; centrally distant E. of 
Warsaw 6 miles. Pop. 3,087. 

The following is a view in the central portion of Perry village, incor- 
porated in 1830, and situated about 7 miles E. of Warsaw. It is a 
place of considerable mercantile and manufacturing business, and 
contains an academy, 3 churches, and about 150 buildings. It is 
situated on the outlet of Silver lake, which is a beautiful sheet of 
water 3 miles in length, and well stocked with fish. The outlet fur- 
nishes much hydraulic power for the mills and factories in this vicinity. 
Perry Centre is much smaller, though incorporated. It is situated 
about 2 miles to the north. 

Sheldon was taken from Batavia in 1808; centrally distant from 
Warsaw W. 12 miles. Pop. 2,366. Sheldon Centre, Strykersville, 
and Varysburgh, are small post villages. North Sheldon is the name 
of a post-office. 



604 



VATES COUNTY. 




South view in Perry village. 



Warsaw was formed from Batavia in 1808 ; from Albany W. 248 
miles. Pop. 2,852. The village of Warsaw is situated 22 miles S. 
from Batavia, at the head of " Allen's Creek Valley," and on Allen's 
creek, nearly equidistant from Rochester, Canandaigua, Buffalo, and 
Olean. By the act of the commissioners appointed by the legislature, 
the courthouse, clerk's office, and jail of Wyoming county were located 
at this place, July 10, 1841. There are here 1 Presbyterian, 1 Bap- 
tist, 1 Methodist, and 1 Congregational church, 100 dwellings, 1 
printing office, 1 tannery, 6 mercantile stores, 26 mechanical shops, 
2 iron foundries, 2 carding works, 1 woollen factory, 1 grist-mill, and 
about 800 inhabitants. The town was settled in 1801, principally by 
emigrants from New England ; and its present inhabitants are noted for 
their morality and fondness for literature. The oldest church erect- 
ed in the state west of the Genesee river, is yet standing in the centre 
of the village of Warsaw. South Warsaw is a small village in the 
south part of the town. 

Wethersfield was taken from Orangeville in 1823; centrally 
distant SW. from Warsaw 8 miles. Pop. 1,731. Hermitage, Weth- 
ersfield, and Wethersfield Springs, are small post villages. North 
Wethersfield is the name of a post-office. 



YATES COUNTY. 

Yates county was taken from Ontario in 1823; centrally distant 
from New York via Albany 330, and from Albany 185 miles ; great- 
est length E. and W. 24, greatest breadth N. and S. 20 miles. The 
surface of this county is agreeably diversified ; the northern part is 
gently undulating, and the southern hilly. The soil is in many pla- 



YATES COUNTY. 



605 



ces composed of a warm rich mould, yielding abundant crops, though 
as a whole it is more of a grazing than a grain country. The cli- 
mate is temperate, and for the cultivation of fruit is not exceeded by 
any portion of the state. It lies wholly in the tract ceded to Massa- 
chusetts, and in that portion of it which passed through Messrs. 
Gorham, Phelps, and Robert Morris to Sir William Pulteney. It is 
divided into eight towns. Pop. 20,442. 

Barrington, taken from Wayne in 1822 ; centrally distant from 
Penn Yan S. 1 1 miles. Warsaw is a small post village. Barrington 
is a post-office. Pop. 1,869. 

Benton, taken from Jerusalem in 1803, Pop. 3,911, Dresden, 
on the Seneca Lake, 7 miles E, of Penn Yan, Benton. 8 miles NE,, 
and Benton Centre, 4 miles N,, are villages containing from 40 to 60 
dwellings each. Hopeton is a small settlement near Dresden. 

Italy, taken from Naples of Ontario county in 1815; from Penn 
Yan SW. 15 miles. Italy Hill, and Italy Hollow, are the post-offi- 
ces. Pop. 1,663. 




South view of the Jemwia Wilkinson house. 

Jerusalem, organized by general sessions of Ontario county ; area 
since altered. Pop. 2,934. Branchport, 7 miles SW. of Penn Yan, 
and Yatesvilie, partly in the town of Potter, are small villages, Jerusa- 
lem is a post-office centrally situated. Bluff Point is a place notable 
for the singularity of its position, as embraced by the arms of the 
Crooked Lake, for its high and rolling surface, and for having been 
the residence and death-place of Jemima Wilkinson, self-styled the 
'* Universal Friend," and founder of a religious sect. 

The above is a view of the Jemima Wilkinson house, situated at 
what is generally called the Friends settlement. It is a large and com- 
modious mansion, and is still occupied by a few persons, the sole 
remnant of her followers. The dwelling is occasionally visited by 
strangers ; though there is not any thing of interest excepting a por- 
trait of the " Universal Friend," which is said to be a faithful repre- 
sentation, and exhibits a countenance, intellectual, uncommonly beau- 
tiful, and apparently beaming with benevolence. The followers of 



606 YATES COUNTY. 

Jemima Wilkinson first settled about the year 1790 at Milo, in this 
county, near the Seneca Lake, and subsequently removed to this 
place. Their settlement at Milo was at that time the largest in the 
whole Genesee country, numbering about forty families. A highly 
intelligent gentleman, who visited them many years since, in the sea- 
son of their greatest prosperity, describes them as being distinguished 
for their frugality, honesty, and industry, living retired from the 
world, and devoting much of their time to religious exercises. The 
" Universal Friend" he represented as having been beautiful and dig- 
nified in her person, but illiterate in her conversation, and so ignorant 
of worldly concerns as scarcely to be enabled to understand a com- 
mon newspaper. Her memory, however, was retentive, and her 
knowledge of the Bible truly wonderful. Many of the extravagan- 
ces of which she is said to have been guilty, may be attributed to the 
high-wrought enthusiasm so often seen among religionists of her 
stamp at the present day. 

" Jemima Wilkinson, or the ' Universal Friend,' was born in Cumberland, Rhode Island, 
about the year 1753. She was educated among the Friends. Recovering from an apparent 
suspension of life which she experienced when about twenty-three years of age, during a 
fit of sickness, she gave out that she had been raised from the dead, and claimed to be in- 
vested with divine attributes and authority to instruct mankind in religion. It is also said, 
fihe pretended to foretell future events, to discern the secrets of the heart, and to have the 
power of healing diseases ; and if any person who made application to her was not healed, 
she attributed it to a want of faith. She asserted that those who refused to believe these 
exalted things concerning her, will be in the state of the unbelieving Jews, who rejected 
the counsel of God against themselves ; and she told her hearers that that was the eleventh 
hour, and the last call of mercy that ever should be granted to them ; for she heard an in. 
quiry in Heaven saying, ' Who will go and preach to a dying world ?' and she said she an- 
swered, ' Here am I — send me ;' and that she left the realms of light and glory and the 
company of the heavenly hosts, who are continually praising and worshipping God, in or- 
der to descend upon earth, and pass through many sufferings and trials for the happiness 
of mankind. She professed to be able to work miracles, and offered to demonstrate it by 
walking on the water in imitation of our Saviour; accordingly a frame was constructed for 
the purpose on the banks of the Seneca Lake, at Rapelyea's ferry, 10 miles south of Dres. 
den. At the appointed time, having approached within a few hundred yards of the lake 
shore, she ahghted from an elegant carriage, and the road being strewed by her followers 
with white handkerchiefs. She walked to the platform, and having announced her inten- 
tion of walking across the lake on the water, she stepped ankle deep into the clear element, 
when suddenly pausing she addressed the multitude, inquiring whether or not they had 
faith that she could pass over, for if otherwise she could not ; and on receiving an affirm- 
ative answer returned to her carriage, declaring as they beheved in her power it was un- 
necessary to display it. She died in 1819." 

The following description of Jemima's personal appearance is from 
the Freeman's Journal, published at Philadelphia, in 1787 : — 

" There are now in this city a number of the disciples of a certain JEMIMA WILKIN- 
SON, a native Rhode Island, a person who professes that ' she is Christ come again in the 
flesh a second time without sin unto salvation ;' though it should be noticed that her follow- 
ers do not admit she is a woman, as a female Messiah appears an incongruity, and they 
therefore of consequence deny her name, and appear to resent it as an affront when she 
is called Jemima Wilkinson, and declare in the most solemn manner they know no such 
person. Some of the society when asked to explain themselves, do it in the following 
manner, ' that the names of persons most properly belong to the soul ; but when a person 
dies and the soul leaves the i)ody, the body can no more be called by its former name. 
Now some years ago, there was a person called Jemima Wilkinson, but she died and her 
soul went to heaven ; after which the Divine Spirit re-animated that same body, and it arose 
from the dead : now this Divine inhabitant is Christ Jesus our Lord, the friend of all man- 
kind, and gives the name to the body to which he is united, and therefore body and spirit 



YATES COUNTY. 607 

conjointly is the Universal Friend.' To complete the character of so extraordinary a per- 
sonage, she has her attendants of the extraordinar)' kind also, and those attendants are 
said to be two witnesses which are prophesied by St. John the Divine, in the Revelations. 
(See chap. xi. from the 3d to the 13th verse.) The Universal Friend, as she is styled, ap. 
pears to be about 30 years of age, of the middle size of women, not genteel in person, and 
rather awkward in her carriage, her complexion good, her eyes black and remarkably bril- 
liant, her hair black, and waving in beautiful ringlets upon her neck and shoulders, her fea. 
tures regular, and her face thought by many to be perfectly beautiful. As she is not to be 
supposed to be of either sex, so this neutrality is manifested in her external appearance ; 
she wears no cap, letting her hair hang down as above described upon her neck and shoul. 
ders. Her neckcloth she wears like a man, her shift buttons around her neck, and her 
shift sleeves are brought down to her hands, and buttoned as is common with men. Her 
outside garment is a loose robe that resembles a morning-gown, such as both men and wo- 
men commonly wear; under this it is said her apparel is very expensive, and the form of 
them conveys the same idea as her external appearance, of her being neither man nor wo- 
man. Her understanding is not deficient, except touching her religious fanaticism. She is 
very illiterate ; yet her memory is very great. She is artful in discovering many circumstances 
which fall out among her disciples, and in making them beheve that, as she is divine, nothing 
can be hid from her. On all occasions she requires the most extraordinary attendance that 
can be bestowed upon her, having little regard to the convenience of families wherever 
she happens to be ; and one or two disciples usually attend her and perform the most menial 
service. Her voice is masculine, and her pronunciation in the usual dialect of the most 
illiterate of the country people of New England. Her preaching has but very little coiu 
nection, and is frequently very lengthy, standing at times for several hours. Sometimes cold 
and languid, at others it is said she is lively, and discovers that kind of zeal and animation 
which give reason to suppose she may really apprehend herself to be a person that is di- 
vfne. She is commonly reserved to strangers, and only grows familiar as she discovers in 
them a great respect for her : and as she is very attentive to the disposition of those about 
her, she soon discovers such as are affected by her peculiar manner. Her first address to 
strangers is usually in a grum, masculine, authoritative tone of voice, with expressive coun- 
tenance and piercing eyes ; and these are the effects of her spiritual pride. Yet she often 
strikes the beholder with a profound awe, and the immoral are sometimes convicted before 
her, which she is artful to improve, so as to raise in them a great veneration for her ; and 
when she discovers any one properly prepared in this way, she usually puts some question 
to them relating to her own imagined divinity." 

Middlesex was organized in 1789 as part of Ontario county, by 
the name of Augusta ; from Penn Yan centrally distant NW. 12 
miles. Pop. 1,439. Middlesex is the name of a post-office. 

MiLo was taken from Benton in 1818 ; from Albany W. 189 miles. 
Pop. 3,985. The thriving incorporated village of Penn Yan, the county 
seat, which is principally built on a street about a mile in length, is situa- 
ted at the northern termination of the eastern arm of the Crooked 
Lake. It was founded by Mr. Abraham Waggener, and derives its 
name from the circumstance that its early settlers were Pennsylvani- 
ans and Yankees, in nearly equal numbers. The annexed view was 
taken from an eminence about a third of a mile east of the village. 
The first building with a steeple on the right is the Presbyterian 
church, the one next on the left with a cupola, the courthouse, and 
the third and fourth, the Baptist and Methodist churches. Crooked 
or Keuka Lake is partially seen in the distance. The other public 
buildings in the village are an Episcopal church, an academy, a pris- 
on, a bank, and the county clerk's office. The place is one of much 
business, and has many mercantile stores and about 300 dwellings. 
Milo Centre, 4 miles SE. of Penn Yan, and Milo 6 miles, are small 
villages. 

Potter was taken from Middlesex in 1832. Pop. 2,245. Rush- 
ville is a thriving village of 60 or 80 dwellings in the north portion of 



Jf 



608 



YATES COUNTy. 




Northeastern view of Penn Yan. 

the town, partly in Gorham of Ontario county, and lies 10 miles SW. 
of Canandaigua. Yatesville is a small village near the southeastern* 
corner, and partly in Jerusalem. Potter and North Middlesex are 
names of post-offices. 

Starkey, the southeastern corner town of the county, was taken 
from Reading of Steuben county in 1824. Pop. 2,426. Starkey, 
including Eddyville 14 miles SE. of Penn Yan, are settlements scat- 
tered along the road for about two miles, and containing about 60 or 
70 dwellings. Dundee, late Harpendings Corners, is a thriving vil- 
lage, 14 miles S. of Penn Yan, containing 4 churches and about 
80 dwellings. Big Stream and Rock Stream are names of post- 
offices in the south part, the former of wliich is on Seneca Lake. 
The falls of the Big Stream in this town are one hundred and forty 
feet perpendicular. This cataract is situated at the foot of a rapid 
half a mile in length, whence the stream comes dashing over craggy 
rocks of slate, and leaps into a basin eight or ten rods in diameter, 
separated from the lake by a channel some eighty rods in length. 



THE END. 



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